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Wellbeing the focus of new policy at Hunter Catholic schools

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After two years of hard work, a new program is set to help local students following its launch at Hunter-based Catholic schools last week.

The Wellbeing Together – Student Wellbeing and Learning across the Whole School policy and framework will drive an inclusive approach to student wellbeing and pastoral care. 

Launched at St Pius X High School on Thursday 17 March, Diocese of Newcastle-Maitland’s Catholic Schools Office (CSO) psychologist Renee Tyczynski says the initiative provides schools with an evidence-based guide for everyday practices that the entire community can adopt to strengthen their support of students.  

“We know that students thrive when they feel safe and connected to their peers and teachers,” Mrs Tyczynski said.

“It is important to cultivate school environments that promote inclusivity and respect.

“The framework draws from national and international research around what school supports need to be in place for students to make positive and healthy choices to support their learning and achievement.” 

The policy includes clearly articulating to students the support structures that are available to them, promoting opportunities for feedback from students and their families, ensuring adequate pastoral care is available and implementing wellbeing programs during class time.  

“While we were developing the framework, we kept coming back to the student experience,” Mrs Tyczynski said.

“We want all our students to feel safe, supported and included.”

To help achieve this, a key component of the framework is its emphasis on the importance of “student voice”. 

Student voice refers to the views of all students on their experiences of school, learning and wellbeing. 

“It’s essential students are given the opportunity to participate in decision-making,” Mrs Tyczynski said.

“All the research suggests that when school communities listen to and value student voice, it increases their engagement in learning and overall wellbeing.” 

Another vital component of the framework will be ensuring that schools are including parent and family voices in the decision making around the wellbeing of students.

“Our aim is to build trust and to collaborate with students, families, staff and parish communities to support student learning, safety and wellbeing, and the development of the whole child,” Mrs Tyczynski said.

“It is through this approach that our students will feel that we know them, we understand them, and that we care for them. After all, that is the crux of the framework.”

The CSO has been working on the program since 2019 after a Sax Institute study revealed almost half of all mental health conditions emerge by the age of 14.

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