Wellbeing Report
Wellbeing Barometer Report
What are parents and students telling us about their wellbeing?
It is important to keep up to date with relevant, current wellbeing data to inform our pastoral care strategies.
The recent SchoolTV Wellbeing Barometer Survey was conducted across 3,103 parents and caregivers from 137 primary and 134 secondary schools.
The survey explored trends in mental health, relationships, learning motivation, bullying, digital engagement, and parental concerns, offering schools critical insights into the evolving needs of their students.
The survey questions were thoughtfully crafted to examine multiple aspects of young people’s lives and their mental wellbeing. The responses offer a holistic view of the challenges and successes experienced by children and adolescents, allowing us to shape efforts in a way that enhances the mental and emotional wellbeing of all students.
Please click here to access some detailed Wellbeing Findings:
These findings highlight the growing challenges students face as they get older and progress through school, as they become teenagers.
Rising Mental Health Concerns
Mental health challenges intensify in secondary school, with a higher frequency of stress, anxiety, feelings of sadness and depression compared to primary students. These figures highlight the growing emotional strain on adolescents, underscoring the importance of mental health education, resilience-building programs, and access to school-based support services.
Escalation of Cyberbullying and Online Risks
The impact of social media and online interactions becomes significantly more pronounced in secondary school. Cyberbullying rates double and exposure to online harassment increases. Additionally, grooming concerns double, suggesting that secondary students face greater risks from online predators and inappropriate digital interactions. Social media usage also rises sharply, highlighting the need for stronger digital literacy education in primary schools, ensuring that students develop healthy online habits, critical thinking skills, and awareness of online dangers before they enter secondary school.
Increase in Self-Harm and Risk-Taking Behaviours
One of the most concerning trends is the rise in self-harm among secondary students. This increase correlates with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and social pressures in adolescence, reinforcing the need for preventative mental health programs, peer support initiatives, and stronger school-based counselling services.
Emergence of Substance Use in Adolescence
Unlike in primary school, where substance use is virtually non-existent, secondary students begin experimenting with vaping, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
The Pastoral Care and Wellbeing teams will consider this data to review and inform our practices and policies.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT
YOUR CHILD’S SAFE ONLINE USE?
Parent Engagement Webinar – Online Safety
We would like to invite parents, carers, grandparents, educators and school leaders to attend an exclusive webinar supporting primary and secondary students.
WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part II)
DATE: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
TIME: 7.30 pm
Join us for an exclusive session with two of Australia's leading experts in youth wellbeing and cybersafety, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
Topics in this webinar include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Misinformation & Algorithms
- Sexting and Sextortion
- Online Grooming
**** IMPORTANT ****
Please note, this webinar is a one-off event and will not be available to replay later.
Please note: Participants must register prior to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.
REGISTER: Check out the FLYER and scan the QR code for FREE registration.
Ms Jackie Kol
Director of Wellbeing