Health & wellbeing experts highlight the latest strategies, programs, products, services and technologies designed to improve the mental and physical health of students, teachers and principals; and reveal how these developments can be put into practice.
Geelong Grammar School’s Institute of Positive Education places wellbeing at the heart of education. As educators, we know that supporting student wellbeing is integral to the work we do. Increasingly, schools are prioritising wellbeing as a response to the prevalence of mental illness in youth and the link between wellbeing and positive learning outcomes. Read more
Fostering supportive workplace environments can create experiences that assist those who may be in need, writes Dr Gavin Hazel, Mental Health and Research Program Manager at Hunter Institute of Mental Health. Read more
Peer Support Australia explains how it provides school communities with the support they need to enhance the wellbeing of young people and help inform positive cultural change. Read more
The role of school principal is a rewarding, yet challenging, leadership career. The breadth and magnitude of responsibilities can weigh heavily on a school leader, from student wellbeing and discipline to staffing issues and teaching evaluation, plus being in charge of budgeting and resource allocation, legal responsibilities, change management, community engagement and public relations.
Since 2011, issues of health and wellbeing have worsened among educators – an immediate response is therefore needed to address the growing problem, argues Rob Nairn, Executive Director of the Australian Secondary Principals Association.
More than a quarter of year 7 to year 10 teachers and 15 per cent of year 11 to 12 teachers in Australian schools are teaching a subject they have not studied above first year at university and for which they have not received training in teaching methodology, according to new figures by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).