Supporting Student Wellbeing, Connection and Belonging
There has been a strong focus on student wellbeing across the college, with a range of activities and initiatives designed to support positive mental health, connection, inclusion and belonging.
Our Year 10 Wellbeing Day provided students with an opportunity to step away from the usual classroom environment and engage in fun creative and relaxing activities whilst also attending a workshop delivered by Project Rockit focusing on challenging prejudices at school. We look forward to continuing this work with our Year 9 Wellbeing Day, which is coming up on the last day of term.
Alongside our year-level wellbeing programs, our lunchtime activities have continued to provide students with opportunities to connect, participate and engage with important wellbeing and awareness initiatives. These activities have included a focus on Women’s Health Week, Bullying No Way Week and Wear it Purple, creating opportunities for students to learn, show support and contribute to a respectful and inclusive college community.
A highlight has been this week’s activity – decorating tote bags for our women’s essential bags which have been donated to ‘Our Village’, who collect and rehome essential baby and children’s items to children and babies in need.
These events are an important part of our broader approach to wellbeing. While the activities themselves may be simple — sharing a conversation, participating in a lunchtime activity or taking a moment to learn about an important issue — they help create a culture where students feel connected, supported and valued.
We are also looking ahead to R U OK? Day, which provides another opportunity to encourage students and staff to check in with one another and recognise the importance of genuine connection and conversation.
Ultimately, student wellbeing is not just about responding to students in need. It is about creating a College environment where students know they belong, have trusted people around them, feel safe to ask for help and have opportunities to develop the skills and confidence to support themselves and others.
This term the student wellbeing team launched Student Voice – a lunch time club for senior campus students to come along and sing songs together. It’s been a great addition to our lunch time clubs with students sending in requests to our wellbeing staff members Ms Xin Yi Lee and Mr Jason Mann – both of whom are very talented singers and instrumentalists.
Thank you to our students and staff who continue to contribute to a culture of connection, inclusion, kindness and wellbeing across the college.
Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager