Feeling great about how you look is in fashion

Eaton Community College has called for its female students to channel their inner fashionistas in an effort to combat low self-esteem and promote positive self body image.

A classroom has been converted into a pop-up fashion boutique where small groups of students can browse and ‘purchase’ items of clothing after a high tea and workshop on self-esteem, positive body image and building friendships.

The program was the idea of school nurse Shelley Paterson and set up with the support of teacher Marian Munce as a reward-based program with students needing to be nominated by teachers and student services.

The program runs at the end of each term with the clothes donated by the students and the community. The outfits chosen by the girls are traded for tokens they receive at the end of each workshop.

Year 7 student Laycee Hallion and Year 8 student Charli Douglas were two of the first to take part in the program and said it was already a massive help.

“I think it’s really good because I have a problem with self-esteem,” Charli said.

“It shows you it’s OK and that fashion is for fun.”

Laycee also said the program was inspiring and educational and was joined in her views by college principal Gail Allen.

“This program is phenomenal because it promotes positive behaviour and significantly, brings to the fore healthy understandings of body image and raises students’ self-esteem,” Mrs Allen said.