Wellbeing Programs
We offer a range of programs to specifically support student wellbeing, delivered in a positive, supportive and connected school environment for all students. Programs include:
- Resilience building
- Drug and alcohol education
- Social skills development
- Drumbeat
- Seasons for growth
- Emotion regulation
- Body esteem
We also have another layer of support via the STYMIE platform. We recognise that students may find it difficult to say if they are personally troubled, or worried about a friend.
STYMIE enables students to share their concerns with us safely and anonymously for actioning by the school, via the STYMIE app or website. Our school is alerted to any reports and is able to respond to these via our wellbeing framework, to achieve the best possible outcome for students.
Another program to support students through their adolescent years is Respectful Relationships. This program promotes and models respect and equality and our educators aligns with this when teaching students about building healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.
Year 7 to 9: Respectful Relationships is delivered as part of our Health, Physical Education and Learning & Wellbeing curriculum.
Year 10 to 12: Respectful Relationships is delivered via a series of special days and sessions using material catered specifically to their social and emotional capabilities.
Ballarat High School is proud to be a Respectful Relationships Leading School, guiding partner primary and secondary schools across our region to implement their own whole school appeach.
Our School Wide Positive Behaviours Support (SWPBS) learning program is designed with all students in mind and they reinforce connections within our school, through a shared culture of respect, care, positivity, pride and duty.
School Wide Positive Behaviours Support Program
The SWPBS program embeds a culture of respect and equality across our entire school community, from classrooms to staff rooms, and sporting fields to social events.
As part of this program, students, staff and parents/carers collaborate to establish a matrix of positive behaviours that we collectively agree are to be the baseline behaviours for our school community. This connected approach and sense of ownership by all sets the tone for our community, delivering benefits in:
- academic outcomes
- classroom behaviour
- staff/student relationships
- positive mental health and wellbeing
- security and willingness to participate
- maximised learning potential.
Our focus on SWPBS sets the tone for our community and supports our ambitions and goals. While we focus on the positive, we also have the required tools in place in instances where additional guidance and assistance is required.
We have an Anti-Bullying Policy which outlines the steps in dealing with bullying based around restoring the relationships and building understanding. Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally.
We also have extensive resources available to provide wellness tools and supports to students, when needed, including:
- Mental Health Practitioner
- Youth Counsellors
- Adolescent Health Nurse
- First Aid Attendant
- Therapy dogs
