Flourishing Communities Through Wellbeing
Wellbeing is not a new concept, yet it has gained and is continuing to gain considerable attention in schools. With reports of increased mental and emotional health and decreased levels of wellbeing among children it is not surprising that improving wellbeing is a priority for many schools nationwide.
While there are numerous definitions of wellbeing in academic literature, the concept of wellbeing is multi-dimensional and a complex construct, with significant overlap and interconnectedness (Soutter, 2011, Gennings et al, 2021).
The World Health Organisation (2021) define wellbeing as “a positive state experienced by individuals and societies. It is a resource for daily life and is determined by social, economic and environmental conditions. Wellbeing encompasses quality of life and the ability of people and societies to contribute to the world with a sense of meaning and purpose".
At Coomera Anglican College our vision for wellbeing is to provide an environment where our Values Culture (iLR - Imagine Listen Respect) and Anglican ethos are a lived experience. We aim to support our students in finding meaning, purpose and flourishing in all aspets of their lives. One strategy to promote wellbeing is to engage with our community through service-learning projects. Service learning forms an integral part of our wellbeing framework, providing mutual benefits to both the students and those they serve. By participating in such projects, our students can contextualise their place in society whilst being encouraged and mentored to become ethical, informed, reflective and responsible decision makers.
An essential theme embedded in our ethos and learning is the connection to community. This emphasis enables our students to forge their own path for the future and flourish. Our iGen program, for example, is a practical, real-life learning experience, where our students engage actively and build relationships with their ‘grand-friends’, while at the same time learning valuable life lessons. We believe that by fostering these connections, we can create a network of support and resources that can contribute to the overall wellbeing of our students and the broader community.
Wellbeing is a collective responsibility"
Recognising that wellbeing is a collective responsibility, we actively involve our families in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for our student. Our RiSE (Resilient, Informed, Supported Empowered) event provide parents with the tools and knowledge to enhance their child's wellbeing at home and by fostering open lines of communication between home and school, we aim to create united front in promoting the wellbeing of our students.
Furthermore, we incorporate wellbeing initiatives into our daily learning by nurturing a sense of purpose and meaning. We encourage our students to explore their passions, set goals and develop a sense of identity.
Our curriculum also emphasises the teaching of values such as empathy, resilience, and integrity so that students are equipped to navigate the challenges they may encounter in a rapidly changing world.
Investing in wellbeing is an investment in the future, and our college is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our students and the wider community.