Student Wellbeing
Creating a supportive environment where students can thrive.
Our wellbeing programs and initiatives are linked to the Salesian tradition, focusing on nurturing deep connections between students, teachers, friends, and counsellors. Across our three campuses, we offer a diverse range of tailored initiatives designed to support every student’s unique needs, blending specialised and curriculum-based approaches to ensure every student feels valued and supported.
1 to 1 counselling
The College offers personalised one-on-one counselling services at all three campuses, providing a warm and supportive space for every student. Our dedicated counsellors collaborate closely with each student’s Oratory teacher and house directors/coordinators to ensure that every individual feels cared for, understood, and supported throughout their journey. We are committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every student’s unique needs are recognised and valued.
Peer support program
Senior students are trained as Peer Leaders and lead small groups of younger students in weekly structured sessions. The program explores four key concepts: resilience, sense of self, connectedness, and sense of possibility. Peer Support equips students with the skills and tools to build strong relationships and positively navigate life. Students learn the social and emotional literacy skills to better manage life’s ups and downs.
Peer mentor program
Year 10 and 11 students are given the opportunity to develop an activity for Year 7, 8 and 9 students to participate in at lunchtime. The activities are student-led and include science practicals, drama games, board games, arts and crafts and a volleyball tournament. The younger students can attend whichever activities they feel like and it’s been a great place for them to form new connections. This program aims to enhanced the community feeling of the college and helped to build the leadership skills of the older students.
The Resilience Project
At our Evanston campus, The Resilience Project is a key part of our wellbeing framework from Reception to year 6. Through presentations, student curriculum, teacher resources and digital content, The Resilience Project’s Education Programs support mental health in the classroom, staffroom, and family home. The research is clear; the more positive emotion you experience, the more resilient you will be. For that reason, TRP focus on three key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotion; Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), with Emotional Literacy being a foundational skill to practise these strategies.
The Embrace Classroom Program
The Embrace Classroom Program, co-designed by 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt for Year 5 students, aims to enhance body image and wellbeing. The program includes four teacher-led lessons aligned with the Australian Curriculum, focusing on reflecting on the body’s functionality, using self-compassion to handle social media negativity, celebrating individual strengths and empathy, and empowering students to drive positive change. The goal is to emphasise the body’s capabilities over its appearance.
Additional Programs
The Foundation program enhances student engagement by providing a safe, flexible learning environment to explore academics, social interactions, and personal growth. It includes Operation Flinders, an immersive 8-day challenge in the northern Flinders Ranges involving trekking, abseiling, and Indigenous culture to build self-confidence.
What’s the Buzz is an evidence-based program acknowledging that everyone experiences social and emotional worlds differently, advocating for compassionate expression rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Peaceful Kids program focuses on Mindfulness and Positive Psychology to reduce anxiety and stress, boosting children’s emotional resilience to better handle daily challenges.
Seasons for Growth is a small group program that helps children and young people navigate and respond to change, loss, and grief by developing essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes.