The grade five girls received new hairdos from The Angel Hair and Beauty Institute as part of a school well-being initiative.

Student well-being leader Judy O’Grady said 12 grade five girls had been identified as needing extra support due to personal issues. So a girl’s group was formed which meets one lunchtime a week, is run by the girls’ own rules and is aided by mentor Joy Burke from Ballarat Rush.

Over the past five weeks, the girls have looked at alternative holistic, art and music therapies, done some cooking, and had guest speakers talk on healthy eating and self-esteem.

“They’re now actually talking more about things. We find the group really relaxes them,” Ms O’Grady said.

The Angel Hair and Beauty Institute teacher Megan Champion said they were happy to help make the girls feel good about themselves.

“We do a lot of community work – and who can say no to a bunch of little girls?” Ms Champion said.

She also said the hairdressers in training could relate to the young girls, chatting with them as they did their hair. “They can still understand what it’s like to be that age.”

Leigh Janson said her daughter Emma, 10, had been much happier since joining the group.

“She helps Judy out and organises activities,” Ms Janson said. “It’s given her some really good skills.”

Emma said the group was a lot of fun. “We’ve learnt about health and how some sports people, like Joy, struggled when they moved away from home,” Emma said.

Ms Champion said it was planned to set up an Angels to the Rescue team to help with community efforts. “We want to let everyone know we’re here to help.”

Ms Burke said she talks to the girls about “anything that really comes up in life or at home”.

“We talk about how to handle different situations. Because I’m a basketballer the girls look up to me as a role model so it’s good to share my experiences and how I overcame them,” she said.

“I tell them it’s good to be different and to not let other things, like society or friends influence you. You have to discover who you are yourself. This has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done with my basketball stuff. It’s completely about life, not just sport.”