Z Club hosts inspiring Dear Em group talk on healthy relationships

The Z Club of Macleans College proudly welcomed four guest speakers from the Dear Em group, a youth organisation dedicated to supporting and educating young people.

Held in the Colin Prentice Auditorium, the event offered students an opportunity to listen, reflect and engage in meaningful discussion about healthy relationships.

The speakers included:

• Ashleigh Gibbons - Youth development worker at Dear Em and behavioural psychology student with experience in the crisis work sector
• Thiyona - Dear Em ambassador, youth advocate and law student majoring in Criminology and Politics
• Layba - Dear Em ambassador, youth advocate, law student and founder of Consent Law
• Imogen - Programme Lead at Dear Em, studying anthropology and politics, with experience in the social and health sectors

Each speaker brought a unique perspective, creating a warm and inclusive environment. Together, they helped students explore the values of respect, communication, empathy and boundaries in relationships.

Student participation was high, with many engaging thoughtfully in the discussion. The event was both insightful and empowering, offering a valuable reminder of the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing.

This initiative is one of many organised by the Z Club to foster student growth and wellbeing within the school community.

The Z Club extends thanks to Ms Viegas and Mrs Restauro, teachers-in-charge of the Macleans College Z Club, for their ongoing support. Special appreciation also goes to Dear Em members Alvia Farooqui (Batten House) and Tarnjot Malhi (Rutherford) for their role in organising and facilitating the event. The presence of Gay Gallagher (MNZAC) - Master of Education in Counselling and Gifted Education, and Bachelor of Education in Teaching - further highlighted the importance of this conversation in the wider educational and wellbeing context.