Caloundra City Private School is leading the way with its whole-school Wellbeing@CaloundraCity program, prioritising the mental, emotional, physical wellbeing of its young people.
The proactive approach to wellbeing is embedded into the school’s curriculum across all year levels from Kindergarten to Year 12, aiming to not only support increasing mental health concerns in children but provide students with strong foundations for a sense of wellbeing into their futures.
Head of Sport and Outdoor Education at Caloundra City Private School, Dr McMahon, said the program placed importance on each individual’s wellbeing journey, both at school and beyond.
“The Wellbeing@CaloundraCity program is centred on forming pathways to wellbeing in education, within a supportive and caring environment,” said Dr McMahon.
“It aims to support all members of the school community, including parents, students and staff, to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
“Throughout Term 1, our students engaged in a range of social and emotional education initiatives interwoven into students’ daily lives, supported by a new student diary and daily planner specifically designed to complement the school’s program and promote daily reflection.”
Themes explored in the program include positive emotions and gratitude, engagement and mindfulness, relationships and empathy, meaning and purpose, accomplishment and optimism, and health and strengths.
Caloundra City Private School Principal, Mrs Sherrie Cuthbert, added the school’s size offers a strong point of difference in creating a meaningful impact.
“As part of our school’s strategic planning we refocused clear priorities for 2021 and Beyond, one of which is Wellbeing and Positive Education, forging our young people’s strong sense of self,” Mrs Cuthbert said.
“A huge advantage to our tight-knit school community with small class sizes is that we are able to offer a targeted approach to wellbeing.
“Leaning into this point of difference sees our dedicated teaching team ensure we are considering the needs of each individual student, whilst also leading by example and implementing this in their own lives, truly living and breathing what they teach.”
“An overarching focus of the program is equipping students with self-mastery – one of the key transferrable skills we have identified as essential for future-proofing our students and encouraging a life-long love of learning.
“Self-mastery through wellbeing is understanding of self through positive emotion, engagement in the moments, building relationships that are meaningful and grow confidence, finding meaning through self-reflection, building self-efficacy through self-regulation and accomplishments and focusing on the importance of health,” she said.
“It has been fantastic to witness our school community embrace the program already this year, and see the growth of our students’ sense of self.”
Caloundra City Private school has linked with wellbeing organisations such as The Institute of Positive Education, Positive Education Schools Association and Action for Happiness Organisation for the program.
