What Are You Doing To Ensure Staff and Student Wellbeing At School?

In recent years, the focus on student and staff wellbeing in Australian schools has become more prominent, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both educators and policymakers have recognised that supporting mental and emotional health is just as critical as academic success. This shift is reshaping the way schools operate, prioritizing a more holistic approach to education that considers the total wellbeing of students and of teachers.

The National School Reform Agreement (NSRA), which allocates approximately $30 billion annually to Australian schools, now includes significant provisions for mental health support. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the post-pandemic challenges that both students and educators face. Many students are grappling with heightened levels of anxiety, social isolation, and learning disruptions, while teachers are managing increased workloads and stress. The NSRA is designed to help schools develop tailored programs to support mental health, empowering school leaders to meet the unique needs of their communities.

One of the most impactful changes in recent years has been the introduction of the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan. This plan outlines 27 specific actions to address challenges in the teaching profession, including workload reduction and improved support for early-career teachers. With many teachers feeling the strain of excessive workloads and insufficient resources, this plan aims to foster a healthier work-life balance. By focusing on the mental wellbeing of teachers, the hope is that they can better support their students and create a more positive school environment overall.

For students, the rise of mindfulness and resilience programs has marked a significant shift in educational practices. Schools are increasingly incorporating strategies that build emotional intelligence, empathy, and coping skills into their daily routines. These programs are designed to help students manage stress, navigate social challenges, and develop a stronger sense of self-awareness. Studies have shown that these skills not only improve mental health but also enhance academic performance. Schools are also beginning to recognise the importance of tailoring these wellbeing initiatives to their specific communities, acknowledging that students from different backgrounds may face unique challenges that require specialised support.

Research organizations like the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) are contributing to this shift by using large-scale data to analyse trends in student outcomes and participation. AERO’s research agenda for 2024 includes exploring datasets like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to provide actionable insights for educators. These insights are critical in helping schools address issues such as absenteeism, early disengagement, and low performance. For example, one of AERO’s recent studies focused on students who consistently underperform in NAPLAN, offering schools targeted strategies to support these students more effectively .

The importance of mental health and wellbeing is also recognised at the governmental level. Claire O’Neil, Australia’s Education Minister, has commissioned a report from Dr. Lisa O’Brien, expected in late 2024, to assess how schools are addressing wellbeing issues. The outcomes of this report could shape future reforms and funding allocations, potentially providing schools with even more resources to support both students and staff.

It’s clear that Australian schools are at a pivotal moment, trying to adapt to rapid change and new challenges. These challenges have brought wellbeing to the forefront of educational policy, and the ongoing reforms reflect a growing understanding that emotional and mental health are integral to a successful education. Schools are no longer just places of academic instruction; they are environments where students and teachers alike must feel supported, valued, and given opportunities to flourish in and out of the classroom.

In the coming years, as these reforms continue to take shape, it will be essential for educators to maintain a focus on individualised approaches to wellbeing. This means understanding the specific needs of their communities, using data-driven insights to inform decisions, and ensuring that both students and staff have access to the resources they need to thrive.

By creating healthier school environments, Australian educators are not only improving academic outcomes but also fostering resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence—skills that will benefit students for life.

This trend toward wellbeing in education marks a significant step forward for Australia’s schools, and it will be exciting to see how these efforts evolve in the years ahead.

What has your school done to implement wellbeing into your curriculum? Has it been successful?

Here at Createl Publishing, our mission is to help teachers and students to plan for success, inspire others, and flourish to their full potential. That’s why we have created the Building Character and Resilience Program for primary and secondary students. You can discover more about the program here.