CURRICULUM NEWS
Nick King
Student Wellbeing
“Student wellbeing is defined as a sustainable state of positive mood and attitude, resilience, and satisfaction with self, relationships and experiences at school”
-Australian Catholic University 2008
As our students and teachers have returned to the classroom following extended periods of online learning for some, wellbeing continues to be a significant focus for our school community. Wellbeing is the shared responsibility of students, educators, families, and their broader communities. However, school settings are often in a position to identify when children and young people are at risk of poor wellbeing, and to ensure action is taken by appropriate agents to address these needs. Various programs, tools and resources have been developed and employed by our staff to help learners and their families, teachers, and school leaders work together to understand and foster learners’ wellbeing.
At Boroondara Park we employ a broad suite of evidence based wellbeing initiaitives that best support our students and their extended communities. The cornerstones of our offering are the multi-age pastoral care program 'Care Learn and Share' and our delivery of the Respectful Relationships curriculum.
Other key aspects of teaching wellbeing include our 'start up' programs that are used at the beginning of each year to embed agreed rights and responsibilities into individual classes whilst also building a sense of agency and belonging and a consistent behaviour management framework within the school.
Is there a Wellbeing curriculum?
The Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) is a a continuous improvement framework used by all Victorian Government schools as part of their core practice.
The model has been recently redesigned to place learning and wellbeing at the centre of school improvement and is a direct response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and advice from the teaching profession.
This framework contains the 'wellbeing capabilities':
The 5 wellbeing capabilities are sets of knowledge and skills essential for students’ positive mental health and wellbeing. The wellbeing capabilities are taught explicitly in and through our teaching and learning program. They are not separate learning areas or capabilities but found within the Victorian Curriculum.
The wellbeing capabilities support us to better understand the needs of our students to help them thrive, contribute, and respond positively to the challenges and opportunities of life.
By integrating learning and wellbeing, schools prepare students to manage the complexities of the world they live in. An increased focus on wellbeing can support students in being more resilient.
Where can I find resources to support my child's wellbeing?
These are just a few examples of support available for children and young people:
Headspace
As the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace provides young people with mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support.
Student Wellbeing Hub
Offers games, videos, websites and resources on various topics like how to deal with bullying and how to stay safe online.
https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/students/
The BRAVE program
Online program supporting children and young people experiencing anxiety and their families.
ReachOut
Offers supports, tools and tips for young people, parents and schools on a variety of topics including bullying, relationships, mental wellbeing and identity