On the Coast – Families Issue 96 I October/November 2019 | Page 14

Central Coast Grammar School
Wellbeing
the key to unlocking a student’s potential
The World Health Organisation
defines wellbeing as: “a state in
which every individual realises his
or her potential, can cope with the
normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and can
make a contribution to his or her
community.”
When helping to develop
young minds in particular, it can
be argued that one of the most
crucial elements is establishing
a supportive environment that
nurtures and promotes a healthy
wellbeing. Our schools have an
important role to play in this, with
student wellbeing a vital component of any
thriving contemporary education system.
In 2015, the Programme of International
Student Assessment (PISA) analysed the
data from 540,000 young people from
across 76 countries and, in troubling
findings, discovered that many Australian
students have experienced a decline in
academic performance, school belonging
and engagement. With almost one in four
young Australians now reporting they are
experiencing symptoms of mental illness,
the need for Australian schools to focus on
wellbeing has reached critical levels. In fact,
school communities that provide a specific
focus on protective wellbeing factors
such as connectedness, health, resilience,
mindfulness and perseverance have been
shown to generate enhanced student
engagement and academic outcomes.
The best outcomes come when schools
and parents work as a team to help equip
our young people with the essential,
life-long tools needed to develop and grow
their personal wellbeing. How can parents
and schools help cultivate healthy wellbeing
in young people? Wellbeing is multi-
dimensional, requiring balance across the
five key components of cognitive, social,
emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Cognitive wellbeing thrives when
young people experience success and
feel a sense of achievement. It is linked
to motivation and persistence and is vital
for positive learning outcomes. A good
example is a school that sets high but
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achievable expectations and encourages
students to view themselves as competent
and capable. Educators and parents have
a crucial role in rewarding effort and
perseverance when students face difficult
and challenging learning situations. Too
often we try to help our young people by
removing obstacles whilst not allowing
adolescents to make mistakes and problem
solve. It’s also vital to empower students
with choice, and cater for personal
interests and varying learning styles, to
further develop their cognitive wellbeing.
Social wellbeing is about young people
having positive interactions and feeling
connected within their community. Building
healthy relationships with family, peers
and teachers, based on mutual respect
and empathy, is vital in the development
of social wellbeing. Young people who
are actively involved in meaningful social
activities such as cooperative learning,
cocurricular clubs and sports teams
report an increased sense of belonging
and positive self-esteem. According to the
findings by PISA, adolescents who consider
themselves a part of a school community
are inclined not only to perform better
academically and be more enthusiastic
about their learning, but also to be less
likely to engage in antisocial behaviour.
Emotional wellbeing relates
to self-awareness and emotional
regulation. It is influenced by the
ability to self-reflect and is often
attributed to resilience. Resilience
– the ability to overcome or
bounce back from challenges – is
a key skill. Secure relationships
within families and diverse
friendship groups are crucial for
creating resilience, and research
also suggests that developing
positive relationships with
teachers also helps children to
build resilience. A positive teacher-
student rapport can provide
additional support in tough circumstances
and can help young people to overcome
challenging experiences.
Physical wellbeing focuses on
maintaining a balance of physical health
and personal safety. Physical activity, such
as regular exercise and involvement in
sporting teams, is widely recognised as
essential in promoting wellbeing. Increased
levels of childhood obesity and sedentary
lifestyles can lead to lower self-esteem and
serious health concerns. Nurturing outdoor
pursuits and minimal screen time from an
early age can help to develop good habits
later in life, along with role modelling
healthy food choices both at ho