From the Deputy Principal

Pillars program

Next week half of the Year 10 cohort will enjoy a range of experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond their traditional classroom environment. On offer is an artist retreat, river journey, aeronautical experience and mountain bike adventure. These experiential opportunities focus on connection to spirituality, relationships, resilience, land and culture, and it is expected that all students participate. 

What is the St Mary's College Pillars program? 

The program explicitly teaches students social-emotional skills and competencies that allow them to develop self-esteem, self-awareness, resilience and a willingness to understand and respect others – important life skills that young people need to thrive in today’s fast-paced and changing world. The program is enriched by a strong research base about the developmental needs of girls and young women. It is underpinned by Martin Seligman’s PERMAH framework and Positive Education principles.

What is the PERMAH Framework? 

Dr Seligman's PERMAH theory outlines five essential factors that contribute to a person's sense of wellbeing at any age, with a fifth factor, health, being added. 

What are the emerging needs for young people? 

Regrettably, our school data resembles national trends. The most pressing issues facing young people are: 

• Mental health​
• Body Image​
• Mindset about the future​
• Social media ​
• Social comparison​
• Friendships​
• School satisfaction ​
• Self-harm

The statistics paint a concerning picture. For example: 

• 75 per cent of lifetime mental health problems happen by the age of 25. 
• females (14 – 25-year-olds) use social media five times more per week than boys. In fact, girls appear more vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties from social media compared to boys.  
• social and emotional learning outcomes developed by the age of 10 are predictors of many adult outcomes such as life satisfaction, wellbeing and overall health.  

When you consider these facts, high quality social and emotional learning is critical in the early years, primary and secondary years. 

What are the overarching themes addressed through the Pillars program? 

For our youngest members of the school community, 'learning about me' is central. In Years 3 and 4, the focus is about making connections, and for the Years 5 and 6 students, developing confidence and self-assurance are primary goals. 

As students move into the Senior School, transitions and creating connections underpin the Year 7 program. Respectful relationships drive the Year 8 program where students are encouraged to consider how they can positively contribute to the SMC community. In contrast, the focus for Year 9 sees students venture out into the community. By embarking on outreach and social justice opportunities the students move from a growth mindset to a benefit mindset. The Year 10 students are encouraged to look outwards with a focus on careers and pathways. Forward thinking and future thinking are very much the focus for our Year 11 and 12 students as they prepare to move beyond the school gates.

The Pillars program has evolved considerably since its inception in 2022. The capacity to adapt and respond to needs as they arise is a strength of Pillars. For example, with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), academic integrity has been a focus in Pillars classes in the past 12 months. In response to student input, a series of self-care workshops were designed for the Year 10 students in 2023, which will once again be offered this year.

How can parents and carers support the program? 

Pillars is not a standalone program; it is interwoven in all that we do at school. Working in partnership with families, we encourage parents and carers to discuss what the students are focusing on, and to access the many resources located on the College website to support students' wellbeing, including SchoolTV and Mind Matters.