Middle Years
Nurturing Connection and Confidence: The Wellbeing Program in 2023
Shelford Girls’ Grammar's commitment to holistic education is exemplified through the success of the Quaerite Wellbeing Program this year. This program, underpinned by the school's core values of Respect, Integrity, Passion and Creativity, has again proven instrumental in shaping the personal and social development of Year 7 and 8 students, fostering empathy, kindness through connection and personal confidence.
The Wellbeing Program is sequential from Year 7 to 8, beginning with the important transition to secondary school before Year 7 and culminating in the Year 8 camp to Rubicon. The Program supports the development of students by explicitly engaging in a range of pertinent themes including self-understanding, social connection, healthy habits for good mental health, physical wellbeing and service learning. Each are woven into the Wellbeing curriculum and provide a robust foundation for girls to thrive in the school context and, I trust, beyond.
One of the stand-out features of the program is its emphasis on interpersonal skills. Students consider the principles and intricacies of good friendships and rewarding relationships, gaining an understanding of their positive impact on others and within the broader school community. This focus not only enhances their social acumen but also cultivates a sense of belonging within the community and their shared responsibility by their actions and values. Finding ways to support student connection with the school will be something for continued reflection and work in the future. By seeking student feedback on the program, I hope to ensure that the emphasis on interpersonal skills is more apt to the experience of students where they want and need that support and advice moving forward.
The Peer Support Program has been, once again, successful this year. This is a key initiative for the Year 7 Wellbeing Program which sees Year 7 students collaborating with carefully recruited and trained Year 9/10 student leaders. This mentorship model, coupled with a pro-social skills curriculum, creates a supportive environment where older students guide their younger counterparts, fostering positive social interactions and encouraging personal understanding.
The Strive Program caters specifically to Year 8 students, presenting an array of activities that go beyond the conventional classroom setting. This initiative offers students not only tangible learning opportunities but also safe and suitable challenges, exposure to new pursuits and passions and the opportunity to acquire practical skills. Crafted to be adventurous, enjoyable, collaborative and unique within the context of the Year 8 journey, the Strive Program adds a meaningful dimension to the Middle Years experience. Beyond its experiential focus, the Strive Program plays a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between students and Wellbeing Mentors, creating a foundation for pastoral relationships rooted in shared experiences and interests.
Cyber safety is another component of the program. In an age where digital interactions are omnipresent, the Wellbeing curriculum addresses the correct use of social media, emphasizing responsible online behaviour and managing unpleasant experiences online. This approach ensures that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape safely. This is, however, an area in which further work will need to take place to ensure our curriculum is up to date and meets student needs.
2023 has been a dynamic and exciting year. I am so proud of the students of Y7 and 8 and the way they have developed into confident, socially capable and personally reflective individuals by their hard work and engagement with the opportunities of the school community. It is a testament to our students, but also to their amazing Wellbeing Mentors and the team of brilliant, adaptable and dedicated teachers at Year 7 and 8 that our Year 7 and 8 students have emerged not only academically prepared but adept and resilient, ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2024.
Tristan Hill
Middle Years 7/8 Coordinator