As an IB World School, we develop enquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people capable of directing their own learning, solving complex problems and engaging with others.
Wesley’s new Learning and Wellbeing program, launching this term, compliments the IB philosophy and recognises that wellbeing and learning are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. One cannot happen without the other.
What is wellbeing?
Wellbeing is a lifelong pursuit for us all and needs to be carefully developed and nurtured. It does not just occur within ourselves, but within our classrooms and our community. For this reason, our approach to learning and wellbeing at Wesley is strategic and long term. It encompasses and connects our students, staff and families within and beyond our College campuses.
A customised, evidence-based approach
The learning and wellbeing approach at Wesley has been developed specifically to meet the needs of our community. Survey data and feedback captured from our students, families and staff informed baseline learning and wellbeing objectives that are identifiable and measurable, and most importantly, can move with the changing needs and challenges faced by our community
Our goal is to ROAR!
Just like our Wesley lion, the aim of our Learning and Wellbeing program is to empower our young people and everyone within our community to truly ROAR!
The acronym ROAR (Respect, Opportunity, Achievement and Resilience) captures the four tenets at the heart of learning and wellbeing at Wesley.
- Respect: We nurture belonging, connection and authentic relationships through respect of self, others and the world in which we live.
- Opportunity: We embrace opportunities to develop our strengths and talents, ignite our passions and inspire meaning. We are nourished by service to others, leadership and challenging ourselves in all areas of learning.
- Achievement: In pursuit of personal excellence, we define what is important, set goals and harness our strengths, talents and skills. We nurture strong moral and intellectual character and healthy habits to find purpose and meaning in our lives.
- Resilience: We have the inner strength and capabilities to navigate stress and confront uncertainty. With passion and perseverance, we recognise challenges as opportunities for growth by developing personal strategies to cope with setbacks and bounce forward.
What does this look like for students?
Our approach to wellbeing will permeate everything we do in all aspects of the Wesley experience and in every corner across the College. It is not simply what we teach, but how we teach, interact and connect. For students, this means:
- Curriculum designed to establish healthy and positive habits, support learning, personal growth and development and build self-confidence;
- Dedicated pastoral care classes to establish and monitor individual learning and wellbeing goals;
- Specialist, research-based programs to develop the skills of wellbeing such as compassion, gratitude, mindfulness and resilience; and
- Curriculum aligned and age-appropriate personal safety programs for every student
Central to providing expert wellbeing support and guidance to our students is our staff. Each Wesley campus has a dedicated Head of Student Wellbeing supported by a network of staff including Homeroom Teachers, Tutors, Heads of Year, Heads of House and Heads of School, psychologists, school counsellors, chaplains and cocurricular staff.
A home-school-student partnership
Wellbeing does not stop when students step outside the school gates and families have a critical role to play in establishing and maintaining lifelong wellbeing.
Online seminars, face to face workshops and forums will support Wesley families to understand and nurture the wellbeing of their loved ones and to reinforce the skills, knowledge and capabilities developed through this College-wide approach.
After two years of a global pandemic, we see 2022 as a year of restoration and reconnection. We look forward to sharing our journey with all our Wesley families as we work in partnership to develop our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our community.
Kim Bence, Head of Campus, SKR
