Student Wellbeing

Schools have an important role to play in promoting mental health and wellbeing among children and young people. In response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, wellbeing has been elevated and placed at the centre of FISO.

Wellbeing is defined in FISO 2.0 as “the development of the capabilities necessary to thrive, contribute and respond positively to the challenges and opportunities of life”.

A focus on wellbeing is even more important in the current climate. It is well known that Covid-19 and associated lockdowns have had a significant negative impact on the mental health of Victorian children and young people, with high numbers reporting depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness about the future.

Improving the wellbeing of children and young people is an enormous and critical task, and it can feel daunting and overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to start.

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We can help! We bring the clinic into the classroom.

Our consultants support school leaders, wellbeing teams, and nominated mental health co-ordinators to:

  • Review their AIPs to ensure a meaningful focus on wellbeing

  • Develop, embed or scale-up wellbeing initiatives specific to the individual needs of their school that:

    • Identify shared goals and values

    • Create positive and safe learning environments

    • Promote a culture of respect and high expectations

    • Promote positive and supportive relationships between staff and students

    • Activate student voice, agency and leadership

  • Implement “Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships” (RRRR) learning materials beyond a ‘tick the box’ approach through:

    • Reviewing RRRR planning documentation and information with the wellbeing team

    • Mapping out content and delivery with the wellbeing team – what do these lessons look like at the classroom door?

    • Classroom observations and feedback sessions

    • Teacher professional development sessions, including professional reflection, discussion of readings, and ideas for practice

Using a strengths-based approach, our consultants also provide the following wellbeing services:

  • Professional development for teachers about how to support student wellbeing in the classroom, manage day-to-day behaviours, and foster positive and supportive relationships with students

  • Classroom observations and feedback regarding student wellbeing and classroom culture

  • Parent engagement workshops about how to look after their children’s mental health and wellbeing, particularly in the context of covid-19

  • Support for children with highest needs, including one-on-one work and small groups

Resources:

FISO 2.0: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/fiso/policy

Resilience, rights and respectful relationships: https://fuse.education.vic.gov.au/ResourcePackage/ByPin?pin=2JZX4R

Building Respectful Relationships – stepping out against gender-based violence https://fuse.education.vic.gov.au/ResourcePackage/ByPin?pin=H9WQYK

Mental Health Fund: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/mental-health-fund-menu/policy

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