Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
The relationship between wellbeing and learning is critical to the development of the whole person.
Feeling comfortable at school and being happy and healthy has a direct impact on each student’s capacity for optimal learning – and for them to be the best they can be in their chosen field. Equally, enjoying school and being engaged in learning influences a student’s wellbeing – in particular, their confidence and resilience.
Respectful Relationships
The recent reports in the media are very disturbing and we acknowledge the courageous actions of the young women speaking out, sharing their traumatic experiences.
The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. Our School Counsellors, Heads of Campus, Mentors, Heads of Year and School Chaplains are here to support our students and alumni at all times.
Respectful relationships and consent are a critical component of our Student Wellbeing Framework and we will continue to review and improve our Respectful Relationship programs, working closely with students and the relevant experts in this area.
Given the current public discussion around consent, we understand parents will be interested in our Respectful Relationship programs and parent resources to assist parents and the School to work together to address the serious issues of consent.
Wellbeing at all stages
From the Early Learning Centre through to Year 12, we use methods of positive psychology to instil a sense of safety, support and wellbeing in all students. Mindfulness practice is incorporated into classroom activities for younger students, and Wellbeing Sessions are held for senior students where a variety of activities are on offer, designed to relieve stress and instil a sense of calm.
We take a holistic approach to pastoral care, balancing our students’ social, emotional, psychological, spiritual, moral and intellectual development. Our students are supported and motivated to develop their strengths, to grow and learn from challenges and complexities and to develop positive relationships as their foundation for learning. Additionally, our students are involved in informing and affirming our wellbeing approach and programs, in particular with our regular Principal Lunches with our Year 12 students, where the School’s Principal and Deputy Principal’s meet with Year 12 students during lunchtime to hear their feedback and suggestions to continually improve the School and our programs.
To ensure our students and staff are well supported, we have a pastoral care team including dedicated teachers and school psychologists. A house and peer support system means all students always have a network of support at all levels.
We also have school chaplains who are committed to inter-faith and overall wellbeing.
To support parents, we share parent wellbeing resources through our weekly communications, monthly campus newsletters and also through our Schools TV channel
Student Wellbeing Framework
Following an extensive research program with our School community in 2019, we undertook a review of our Student Wellbeing Framework for students in ELC through to Year 12.
The subsequently developed Student Wellbeing Framework is designed to deliver curriculum, which provides opportunities for personal development of positive values, attitudes and behaviours; and for this learning to be underpinned by the Ivanhoe Learner Attributes of a young person of character. The wellbeing framework is designed to support teachers to create teaching and learning environments that enable students to be healthy, happy, engaged and successful.
Wellbeing permeates across all aspects of school life, the wellbeing framework is designed to build and enhance the principles of duty of care, positive communication, and effective relationships for each student.
House Program
Every student is placed into one of our four Houses: Sherwood, Athelstane, Lincoln or Thoresby and remain in this House throughout their time at the School. Students in both Primary (ELC or Foundation to Year 6) and Secondary (Year 7 to Year 12) take part and each house is made up of students from all year levels, so it’s a great opportunity for students to make friends outside their usual peer groups. Students participate in a range of House activities including sport, trivia and chess as well as the swimming and athletics carnivals that encourage students to participate, dress up, have fun and support their House.
The House Program aims to provide opportunities for students to increase their contribution and commitment to the School community, move outside their comfort zone and form supportive relationships with peers and staff. Heads and Deputy Heads of House are passionate pastoral carers. These are staff members who have actively applied for these roles in a very competitive process and are senior leaders within the School
