Wellbeing Curriculum
Adolescence is a time on emotional growth and self-discovery. Our wellbeing structure provides a framework for fostering emotional intelligence, resilience, and healthy coping mechanisms. Students are provided with guidance and support in navigating their emotions, building healthy relationships, and developing self-awareness.
The investment in our wellbeing structure across Years 7 to 12 at Melbourne Girls’ College recognises the importance of nurturing all student’s social, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing, alongside their academic growth and development. When students feel supported, they are more likely to be engaged in their studies, attend school regularly and perform academically. This is a key factor to enhancing a positive college culture.
Our wellbeing program is proactive, preventative and strength based that incorporates awareness campaigns, Respectful Relationships and peer support systems that aim to create a safe and nurturing environment for our young people. We have an important responsibility to equip students with essential life skills that go beyond their time at Melbourne Girls’ College. Students learn to prioritise self-care, manage stress, and seek help when needed. These skills are crucial for their future success and wellbeing beyond the college environment.
Our Wellbeing Framework supports the implementation of the Child Safe Standards and the Department of Education and Training’s Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships initiative which raises awareness and explicitly teaches respect, gender equality, healthy relationships, resilience, and confidence.
Resilience Empathy Gratitude Kindness Mindfulness
The Year 7 Wellbeing Curriculum has been designed to assist students in their transition from primary school to Melbourne Girls’ College.
The Wellbeing lessons aim to develop organisational skills and independence along with adjusting to the structures and expectations of secondary school.
Our second focus is on assisting students develop meaningful and healthy relationships with a wide variety of their peers and encouraging participation in the College’s co-curricular activities.
The Year 7 program also introduces students to Positive Psychology and builds upon their emotional literacy and growth mindset.
The Year 8 Wellbeing Program focuses on self-identity and developing positive relationships with friends and family.
Students focus on being kind to themselves, feeling confident in their own identity and abilities and discovering what “me at my best” looks like.
Students also practice empathy and kindness in their relationships by placing themselves in the shoes of others, celebrating similarities and differences among friends and families and appreciating the support given by others.
At Year 9, the College’s Wellbeing Program encourages students to embrace a growth mindset as they engage with learning a new skill and setting a SMART goal.
Students keep a journal of the challenges faced as well as celebrating success along the way. Students apply this mindset to all areas of their learning in a presentation to their peers.
We also prepare students for the Year 10 Subject Selection process by exploring different pathways based on student interests.
The Year 10 Wellbeing Program supports students in the process of planning their future pathways. Wellbeing classes involve careers counselling for students, as well as one-on-one guidance in their selection of VCE subjects.
Students also participate in activities designed to develop their vocational skills, including writing resumes and cover letters, as well as preparing for and undertaking formal job interviews. Students participate in a Community Challenge Task, which encourages gratitude for our own circumstances and provides a practical way for students to work together, building teamwork skills and empathy, to assist those in need.
Year 10 students are also given the opportunity to refine their study skills and organisational practices to develop positive habits and resilience for their VCE studies.
To maximise the class time afforded to VCE studies, the wellbeing of students in Years 11 and 12 is supported by the Year Level Leaders and teachers at a whole cohort level.
The Wellbeing curriculum is delivered through regular assemblies, which include guest speakers on resilience, study skills sessions, one-on-one course counselling, camp and other co-curricular activities.