What You Need to Know About the New Australian Wellbeing Framework
Helping students reach their full potential has been a perennial challenge of educators and parents alike, with many different factors at play and a growing understanding of how to address these challenges. A key aspect to this potential being fulfilled is understanding and improving the status of student’s social, physical and emotional wellbeing.
One study has shown that 1 in 7 (13.9%) children and adolescents aged 4-17 years experienced a mental disorder such as anxiety disorders, major depressive disorders, ADHD and conduct disorders in 2015. Of these affected children, 81.4% were found to be mildly, moderately or severely impacted in their school/work life.
In response to these trends the Australian Government have recently undertaken a review of the National Safe Schools Framework. This acknowledges that changes need to be made in order to address contemporary concerns negatively impacting student wellbeing, with particular emphasis on applying a socio-cultural and socio-technical perspective towards:
The educational, learning, safety and wellbeing needs of students.
The rapidly evolving social, technical and cultural contexts and capitals.
Opportunities through school communities for building safe and supportive environments.
In response to the review, the Australian Government launched the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. A foundational document that serves as a best practice for school’s in terms of establishing policies and support mechanisms to improve overall levels of student wellbeing and reach the ultimate vision of every student fulfilling their maximum potential.
Incorporating The New Framework Into Learning
The wellbeing framework is broken down into five key elements which work together with each state’s individual education goals and provides a guide into specific areas schools should be focussing their attention.
Leadership: Principals and school leaders play an active role in building positive learning environment where the whole school community feels included connected, safe and respected.
Inclusion: All members of the school community are active participants in building a welcoming school culture that values diversity, and fosters positive, respectful relationships.
Student Voice: Students are active participants in their own learning and wellbeing, feel connected and use their social and emotional skills to be respectful, resilient and safe.
Partnerships: Families and communities collaborate as partners with the school to support student learning, safety and wellbeing.
Support: School staff, students and families share and cultivate an understanding of wellbeing and support for positive behaviour and how this supports effective teaching and learning.
One of the crucial benefits of social, emotional and physical learning programs is that they empower not only students, but teachers and families to make positive decisions in regards to their own wellbeing and of others around them. Skills such as social awareness, as well as stress and anxiety management strategies are a few ways in which the high impact on student’s learning can be reduced.
The wellbeing framework has laid the groundwork to overcome obstacles to successful learning, it also calls for a targeted approach towards student wellbeing.
So how can schools use SEL education to address student wellbeing?
Through the implementation of curriculum-aligned programs which educate and improve student’s social, emotional and physical learning. Such programs supplement students’ IQ with an improved level of EQ giving them the resilience to succeed in education and in life.
Does your school need a more focussed approach to social, emotional and physical learning?
Request more information today, and find out why Life Skills Group are the preferred wellbeing partner of hundreds of schools across Australia!
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Want to learn more about how to implement these best practices in teaching your students to identify, understand and manage their emotions? Book a FREE wellbeing consultation with us today!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
2 Minute Video: How Guildford West uses Life Skills GO Weather Report to track student wellbeing
Whole-School Wellbeing Planning & Strategy Guide - Making the Case
Read more about the Australian Wellbeing Framework here:
Student Wellbeing Hub:
https://www.studentwellbeinghub.edu.au
Press Release outlining the new framework: https://www.education.gov.au/national-safe-schools-framework-0