KWS Senior School Fortnightly Bulletin

Student Wellbeing

The Link between Wellbeing and Academic Success in Students

There is a growing body of research on the correlation between positive wellbeing and academic success in students. Recently I read an overview of a report released by PISA last year: Students’ Well-Being PISA Results 2015. This report is the first OECD PISA report that analysed students’ performance in school, their relationships with peers and teachers, their home life and how they spend their time outside of school. The report findings are based on a questionnaire that the approximately 540,000 students in 72 participating countries completed in addition to the main OECD PISA 2015 Survey on science, mathematics and reading.

For Australian students some of the key wellbeing related outcomes include:

  • 68% of Australian teenagers said they feel very anxious about tests even if they are well-prepared, compared with an average of 55.5% of students across OECD countries
  • nearly 47% of Australian students say they get very tense when they study, higher than the average of 37%
  • Girls were far more likely to experience anxiety, with nearly 74% saying they worry about getting poor grades, compared with 57% of boys.

These findings help demonstrate how important it is that schools, along with parents, help students to develop their wellbeing and resilience. Together teachers, schools and parents can make a real difference to children’s wellbeing.

However, as a parent and educator, I often find the plethora of information and resources simply overwhelming!! Below are links to three different organisations that have a range of simple to read, practical resources that may be of use.

ReachOut

ReachOut is Australia's leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. They offer practical support, tools and tips to help young people and their parents get through anything from everyday issues to tough times.

Our school was lucky enough to form a partnership with ReachOut at the start of this year. In March the organisation came to our school for a photoshoot and a ReachOut consultant delivered a Professional Development session to the Wellbeing Team on mental health in rural students. The link below will take you to the updated Reachout website that now features our school.

http://about.au.reachout.com/like-our-new-photography-its-thanks-to-kinross-wolaroi-school-2018/

KidsMatter

KidsMatter is a mental health and wellbeing initiative for primary schools and early childhood education. It is a framework that helps staff, parents and carers to work together to create settings that better support children’s social and emotional wellbeing needs. They have some excellent resources on their website and our Preparatory School currently utilises many of these in their day-to-day school activities.

https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families

Student Wellbeing Hub

The Student Wellbeing Hub provides information and resources for students, teachers and parents to assist them to create and maintain a safe and welcoming school environment. It is guided by the National Safe Schools Framework, with resources aligned to the Australian Curriculum. The Student Wellbeing Hub has been developed by Education Services Australia for the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. 

https://www.studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/

 

It is my strong belief that students who feel part of a school community, who enjoy good relations with their teachers and parents, are more likely to perform better academically and be happier with their lives. I hope that you may find some of these resources useful.

 

Emma Bylsma

Head of Student Wellbeing