The document provides information about assessments and tasks for Hamilton VCAL students in 2020. It includes details about literacy, numeracy, and other units to be completed, as well as instructions for two tasks involving producing digital documents and an event poster using various software programs. The document also provides information about stress, including what it is, signs of too much stress, how the body responds to stress, and tips for dealing with and managing stress.

1. Hamilton VCAL 2020
Wednesday 26th August

2. Assessments to be completed:
• Literacy Units 1 (Reading and writing) and 2 (Oracy)
• Numeracy Unit 1
• PDS Units 1 and 2
• WRS Units 1 and 2
• ICTWEB201 Use social media for collaboration and engagement
• BSBITU211 – Produce digital text documents
• CUAACD201 – Develop drawing skills to communicate ideas
• CUAPPR301 – Produce creative work***

3. BSBITU211 – Produce digital text documents
• Task 1 - Write a letter to someone in aged care (Word, Google docs
etc) them email to me.
• Task 2 – Produce a pamphlet (Word, Publisher etc) about how
students can cope with stress during challenging times
• Stress overload https://au.reachout.com/articles/the-ups-and-downs-of-
stress
• Effects of stress on the body https://au.reachout.com/articles/what-stress-
does-to-the-body
• How to deal with stress https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-
stress
• Task 3 – Event poster (online templates and apps) for a community
BBQ

4. What is stress?
• Stress is a normal and important part of life – it helps you to get
motivated and to kick goals. But stress can also work against you if
it starts spiralling out of control.
• We all experience stress and anxiety differently.
• It’s good to feel some stress, as this can help to enhance
performance.
• Too much stress can affect not only your performance at school,
but also your life more generally.
• Feeling no stress at all could mean that you have disengaged from
doing your best.
• The aim is to recognise and manage stress so you cope with life’s
challenges

5. Signs you might not be coping with stress:
• have difficulty relaxing
• have trouble sleeping
• not look your best, or be taking less
care with your appearance
• feel like you’re under constant pressure
• feel overwhelmed or like you’re losing
control
• feel nervous, shaky or anxious
• feel nauseous or have an upset
stomach
• feel down or depressed
• have negative or pessimistic thoughts
• have mood swings or be easily irritated
• feel sick more often than is normal
• have a lower-than-usual sex drive
• be more forgetful or distracted than
usual
• be withdrawing from family and friends
• be avoiding your responsibilities and
things you should be doing
• have some nervous habits, such as nail
biting, pacing or fidgeting.

6. • These physical responses to
stress are due adrenalin – the
“fight or flight” hormone
• Adrenalin is released in
response to a stressful,
exciting, dangerous, or
threatening situation
• Adrenalin creates useful
responses to threats (such as
being attacked by a sabre
tooth tiger or avoiding a car
accident)

7. • “A mind full of thoughts, anxiety, and worry also
stimulates your body to release adrenaline and other
stress-related hormones, like cortisol (known as the
stress hormone).”
• “This is especially true at night when you lie in bed. In a
quiet and dark room, some people can’t stop focusing
about a conflict that happened that day or worrying
about what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
~ https://www.healthline.com/health/adrenaline-
rush#at-night

8. •“While your brain perceives this as stress, real danger isn’t
actually present. So this extra boost of energy you get from
the adrenaline rush has no use. This can leave you feeling
restless and irritable and make it impossible to fall asleep.”
•“Adrenaline may also be released as a response to loud
noises, bright lights, and high temperatures. Watching
television, using your phone or computer, or listening to
loud music before bedtime can also contribute to a surge of
adrenaline at night.”
~ https://www.healthline.com/health/adrenaline-rush#at-
night

9. How to deal with stress
Knowing how to manage stress can help you to be happier and
healthier in the long run. Coping with stress is about trying to solve the
problems that are within your control and learning to accept the things
you can’t change. The next time you’re feeling stressed, ask yourself
these four questions to help you decide on your next move:
1. What is the issue?
2. Can you do anything to change it?
3. If so, what?
4. If not, what can you do to feel better about it?
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-stress

10. What do you do that helps you
to feel better when you are
anxious or stressed?
• Pat the cat or dog
• Do some gardening
• Shoot some hoops
• Yoga or meditation
• Sewing, knitting or crochet
• Play patience with cards
• Use an app (‘Headspace’,
‘Stop, breathe, think’ ‘Calm’,
‘Happify’ are some you could
try)

11. Your pamphlet:
Who is your audience? Teenagers like yourself!
Includes these three topics:
1. What is stress?
2. What are the signs of stress?
3. How can you cope better with stress?
• Make sure you include images and references, so your
information can be checked or followed up on.