Senior Learning Update

Wellbeing and Learning: A Powerful Partnership 

The strategic decision to make wellbeing a central focus at Kinross Wolaroi builds on the goals set out in the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. It also reflects Australia’s active role in global conversations and research about how education must evolve to meet the needs of today’s students. By prioritising wellbeing, schools are better equipped to help young people thrive - both in their learning and in life. 

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) (2022) states that “wellbeing has a significant impact on students’ academic outcomes. Students with a greater level of wellbeing are more likely to experience improved academic outcomes.” 

Whilst this quote will not surprise many in our parent community the conversation in this area has often been framed as a zero-sum game with the implication that gains in one area (e.g. wellbeing) must come at the expense of another (e.g. academic achievement).  

This mindset can lead to false trade-offs - such as the belief that focusing on wellbeing detracts from academic rigour. 

Wellbeing and academic achievement are not mutually exclusive; under the right conditions they are mutually reinforcing (Bortes et al., 2021). 

Through the taught wellbeing program to be introduced in 2026 we are seeking to create these “right conditions” by making the content of the programs age and stage specific to our student’s development. Research continues to show that when students feel safe, supported, and emotionally healthy, they are more engaged in their learning and perform better academically. 

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) further supports this, noting that wellbeing programs not only accelerate learning but also help identify and support students at risk. 

Research from the University of South Australia involving over 215,000 students revealed that emotional wellbeing and learning traits like confidence and perseverance significantly impact academic performance - especially during assessments. 

These findings highlight that wellbeing isn’t separate from learning; it’s the foundation for it. 

The findings underscore the value of embedding wellbeing into the curriculum - not as an add-on, but as a core component of quality education that prepares students for both academic success and lifelong personal growth. 

As parents, your role is vital. Encouraging positive relationships, emotional awareness, and resilience at home complements what we do at school. Together, we can create environments where every child feels valued, supported, and ready to learn. 

Wellbeing and learning go hand in hand. By nurturing both, we give our children the best chance to thrive - now and into the future.