From the Executive Deputy Principal

Wellbeing: More Than Being Well

Conversations about wellbeing can at times focus predominantly on physical health, fitness, nutrition, sleep and exercise not only in schools, but across multiple information platforms. Of course, wellbeing in this sense is extremely important. A healthy body provides the foundation for learning, growth and participation in life. However, true wellbeing is much more than physical health alone.

As Catholic educators and families seeking a Catholic education for their child, we understand that every person is more than a body. Each child is a unique and precious individual with a mind that seeks understanding, a heart that longs for connection and love, and a spirit that searches for meaning, purpose and hope. When we speak about wellbeing in its fullest sense, we are talking about the flourishing of the whole person. This holistic understanding is central to Catholic education and is increasingly supported by contemporary research. 

The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University describes flourishing as a state in which all aspects of a person's life are good. Its research identifies several interconnected dimensions of flourishing, including physical and mental health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, happiness and life satisfaction. Importantly, flourishing is not defined by physical wellbeing alone. Rather, it encompasses the whole of human life and the communities that support people to thrive. 

Significantly, Harvard's Global Flourishing Study has found that participation in Faith communities is one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing across cultures. The study suggests that religious faith can provide meaning, hope, belonging, supportive relationships and a framework for living a purposeful life, all of which contribute to human flourishing. 

This understanding closely aligns with the vision of St Monica’s College, Epping, as a Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic School (MACS). Catholic schools promote wellbeing and human flourishing by nurturing the spiritual, cognitive, physical, emotional and social dimensions of each student. MACS envisions that every student will be "inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world," recognising that wellbeing, learning and Faith formation are deeply interconnected. 

At the heart of Catholic education is the belief that Faith is not an optional addition to wellbeing but an integral part of it. While physical wellbeing helps us live and learn effectively, spiritual wellbeing helps us understand who we are, why we are here and how we are called to live in relationship with God and others. Faith offers young people a sense of identity that is grounded not in achievement or popularity, but in the knowledge that they are loved unconditionally by God and created with dignity and purpose.

Faith also nurtures hope, particularly during times of challenge. Every child will encounter setbacks, disappointments and struggles. A faith-filled worldview teaches that difficulties do not define us and that hope can be found even in adversity. Through prayer, reflection, scripture and participation in the life of the Church, students at St Monica’s College are invited to develop resilience, gratitude, compassion and a sense of meaning that sustains them throughout life.

Another essential contributor to wellbeing is a sense of belonging. Human beings are created for relationship. Children thrive when they know they are seen, valued and accepted. Research from the Harvard Human Flourishing Program highlights strong relationships and community connectedness as vital ingredients for flourishing. Students who experience belonging are more likely to engage in learning, develop resilience and enjoy positive mental health. 

Catholic schools are uniquely positioned to foster this sense of belonging. We are communities of Faith, learning and care where relationships matter. Students are invited to recognise both their own dignity and the dignity of others. They learn that they are part of something larger than themselves, connected to God, to one another and to the wider world. Through prayer, liturgy, service, learning and shared experiences, students develop a strong sense of identity, purpose and community.

While physical wellbeing remains important, the wellbeing of the person extends much further. A young person may be physically healthy yet still feel isolated, anxious or uncertain about life's purpose. Genuine flourishing requires attention to the whole person. The mind through learning and curiosity, the heart through relationships and compassion, and the spirit through Faith, hope and meaning.

Catholic schools provide the optimum conditions for this holistic wellbeing because we intentionally nurture every dimension of human flourishing. In partnership with families and parish communities, we create environments where children are known, valued and supported; where academic excellence is pursued alongside character formation; and where Faith provides a foundation for meaning, service and hope.

Ultimately, wellbeing is not simply about helping young people feel good. It is about helping them live well. It is about forming young people who know they belong, who understand their purpose, who care for others, and who are inspired to contribute positively to the world. This is the vision of flourishing championed by both St Monica’s College Epping, and contemporary wellbeing research, and it is the unique gift of Catholic education: the formation of the whole person, body, mind, heart and spirit.

Miss P Di Maria 

Executive Deputy Principal