Student Wellbeing
I CAN & EHS Partnership 2025
As part of our school’s commitment to inclusive learning, disability inclusion and the Autism Education Strategy, Eltham High School partnered with I CAN in 2025 to deliver engagement opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent students (and other students with specific learning preferences), along with staff training to build our capacity to support them.
In Term 3, we ran a peer-led I CAN mentoring program focused on leadership, strengths, communication, teamwork, understanding emotions and stress, organisation, time-management and planning. Ninety two per cent of students reported that they enjoyed the program and felt supported and accepted in the I CAN group, and 83 per cent said they would recommend it to others, also reporting improved interactions with teachers, greater happiness and increased confidence.
In early Term 4, mentoring participants attended the I CAN Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, joining students, families, teachers and staff from across Victoria to hear student talks, guest speakers and panel discussions on autistic interests, lived experience, post-school pathways and employment.
Last week, a group of Additional Needs, Graduate Teachers and Wellbeing staff attended an onsite training session with Chris Varney, CEO and founder of I CAN, on “Practical strategies to support and nurture autistic and neurodivergent learners”. This session offered staff the chance to learn from lived experience, deepen their awareness of autism resources and reforms, and share practical strategies to support students in the classroom.
EHS looks forward to partnering with I CAN again in 2026 to deliver another student mentoring program. For enquiries, please contact Anna Jenkins at anna.jenkins@education.vic.gov.au.
I CAN also offers after hours Online Mentoring Programs for young people aged approximately 7 - 22; for more information, visit https://icannetwork.online/online/.
MADELINE GAITANIS, Student Services and Welbeing Coordinator