Providing programs and processes is fundamental to enabling all students to have the opportunity to be supported in achieving their full potential: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially, and culturally
Our Personal Development Program covers the following ‘Five Pillars’
1. Leadership
2. Decision Making
3. Study Skills
4. Personal Wellbeing
5. Relationships
Stephanie Banks, Deputy Principal (Wellbeing)
Why is wellbeing in Australian Schools important?
Wellbeing in Australian Schools is important with approximately 60% of students in OECD countries becoming ‘very tense’ when studying.
Social and Emotional Benefits
Ensuring your child’s wellbeing is met at school has clear social and emotional benefits.
Student wellbeing is linked to enhanced mental health for students.
Social and emotional wellbeing allows students to build fundamental life skills including:
Resilience
Control and management of thoughts, feelings and behaviours
Creating and upholding positive and meaningful relationships
Communication
Creating an appropriate emotional support network
Educational Benefits
Student wellbeing has a significant impact on your child’s ability to focus and work productively.
Wellbeing in schools is linked to:
Enhanced intrinsic motivation
Decreased disciplinary problems
Increased academic achievement
In fact, for Year 7-9 students, improving their wellbeing index by one standard deviation can result in a 5% improvement in their expected NAPLAN numeracy scores.
How do we achieve wellbeing in Australian Schools?
Wellbeing strategies in Australian Schools can support and accelerate student learning.
Many independent schools have unique and important methods to incorporate student wellbeing.
Reading Program at Meriden
This term at Meriden, we are running a Reading Program across Years 7-10, designed to engage students in thoughtful reflection that will spark conversations about contemporary social justice issues.
Meriden students participating in the Reading Program.
As well as prompting empathy, this program is designed to support student wellbeing. Providing an opportunity for students to stop and read and have time off their devices in the middle of the day has many benefits for students’ social and emotional learning.
Mrs Jessica Chilton, Meriden’s Head of Student Wellbeing
Mindfulness Sessions at St Aloysius, Victoria
Every day after lunch, St Aloysius students participate in a 5 minute mindfulness session that helps students to recentre and refocus, preparing them for the final lessons of the day. This practice runs in conjunction with Nourish, a year-level specific fortnightly wellbeing session and Wellbeing Wednesdays, run weekly and focusing on overall educational wellbeing; areas covered include healthy study habits, mindfulness, resilience and online safety.
St Aloysius College, Melbourne
Summary:
Supporting student wellbeing at school is significant for keeping students healthy, happy and successful
Wellbeing in Australian schools allows students gain social and emotional benefits and develop fundamental skills
Wellbeing in Australian schools provides educational benefits for students including increased academic results, focus and motivation
Schools play a crucial role in supporting student wellbeing
