Aitken College

Wellbeing Report

Student Wellbeing encompassed widened challenges, as staff and parents supported students through the extended periods of Home Learning.

 

The Counselling team continued to support many students while they were at home by utilising telephone and Zoom meetings arranged in conjunction with their parents. Some students who were attending the Home Learning at School Program were able to meet with their Counsellor on-site.

 

Throughout the year a Wellbeing Committee met regularly and worked towards establishing a Whole School Approach to Wellbeing at the College. The College is registered with 'Be You', a national initiative launched by Beyond Blue for educators, aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people. This enables us to work with a Be You consultant and have access to the numerous resources available.

 

The Wellbeing Committee have been working through a process to identify the needs of our Learning Community, develop a plan, and take action. The process begun by gathering data using a reflection audit tool of existing practices and collecting information through staff, student and family surveys. The results highlighted that there are many effective practices currently in place throughout the College and identified that the initial focus should be on promoting Mentally Healthy Communities and Learning Resilience. 

 

Some Wellbeing initiatives throughout the year included:

  • Guest speakers at the Middle School and Senior School Assemblies from the Black Dog Institute to promote strategies to support mental health.
  • Guest speakers from the Black Dog Institute at Parent Forums and a staff meeting.
  • Guest Psychologist at a Parent Forum for Primary parents outlining strategies to support childhood anxiety.
  • Student initiatives through the Interact Club for RUOK? Day.
  • Year Prep-12 lessons and activities for the week in Life Skills highlighting RUOK? Day.
  • Incursions with counsellors from the Kids Helpline focussing on positive coping strategies, friendships and developing resilience.