Impact

Wellbeing

At the heart of everything we do

Impact

Wellbeing

At the heart of everything we do

Wellbeing is at our core, and it is central to all that we do. It permeates our teaching programs, our student support structures and the policies that govern the way that we engage with students, staff and parents.

Wellbeing underwrites our success in all facets of our lives. A culture and focus that promotes nuanced insight into ourselves and those around us helps us understand our humanity. Our wellbeing program encompasses preventative and positive psychology and stems from the belief that it is only when we are at our best, that we can help others to be theirs.

As well as placing wellbeing at the core of our work, Scotch is committed to implementing innovative, research-informed wellbeing strategies and creating unique sporting, artistic and experiential opportunities for students. Student wellbeing initiatives take proactive action to support our young people to develop healthy minds, heathy bodies and healthy attitudes towards themselves and others.

The key question Scotch College posits is, “What are the wellbeing needs of a contemporary learner?” Inherent in the question is that the wellbeing challenges that students face now and into the future are vastly different to those of generations past.

As a society we have progressed from an industrial age to a social/informational age. With this development, the skills required by students and graduates are rapidly changing.

Leading employers and Universities are placing higher value on core wellbeing constructs including interpersonal skills, creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. The modern learner will require skills beyond traditional academic knowledge to meet the criteria of an ever-changing world and marketplace.

There is also a growing body of evidence for mental health programs in schools. The right programs, deployed at the developmentally appropriate stage, can have significant impacts on both the prevention of negative mental health experiences and also the promotion of core life long skills.

Our Vision

Our wellbeing vision is to develop engaged and connected learners who possess the knowledge, commitment and passion to enhance their own and others’ lives.

We believe that wellbeing begins with, though certainly extends beyond the self. Comprehensive wellbeing requires individuals to support, and meaningfully contribute towards, the lives of others. This vision is developed through enacting the four core pillars of the ScotchFIT Framework – namely Psychological, Social, Physical and Academic Wellbeing.

Students from Years 4 – 12 participate in the Pivot: Wellbeing for Learning surveys throughout the year, addressing 17 main items pertaining to student wellbeing under the categories of: Check in, Resilience, Belonging and Safety. Students in Reception to Year 3 participate in a check-in process at the same frequency, implemented by their classroom teacher. The College annually participates in the Wellbeing and Engagement Survey, implemented by the Department for Education.

From the Early Learning Centre to Year 12, Scotch has developed a holistic approach to Wellbeing both in and out of the classroom in an implicit and explicit manner. This ensures that students develop the skills, mindset and behaviours that contribute to social, physical, academic and emotional success.