Whitefriars College acknowledges the right of every student to an education that is directed to the development of the whole person. We are concerned with the intellectual, social, emotional, moral, spiritual and physical development of all students. We value wellbeing for learning and the holistic education of our boys. Teaching wellbeing fosters the academic, social, emotional and spiritual growth of our students and prepares them for life beyond the College.
Our weekly (every Friday) whole school Wellbeing Program provides a range of experiences and exposure to a range of issues that focus on building positive relationships with self and others and empowering young men to be resilient, confident and live with integrity.
The College has a partnership with The Resilience Project to deliver a pro-active approach to wellbeing based on four key principals – Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy. In line with the Victorian Curriculum and Personal and Social Capabilities, the teaching and learning experiences provide our students with tools to develop a self-awareness, awareness of others, an increased capacity to cope with life’s challenges and to live a happy life.
The aims of the Student Wellbeing Programs are:
- to affirm the dignity of students
- to enhance their self-esteem
- to engender in students a respect for other people and their cultures and to celebrate diversity
- to engender in students a respect for the environment
- to promote in students a sense of Christian values
- to assist students in their decision making across a range of behaviours which affect their personal health and wellbeing
- to help students develop positive behaviours, such as self-discipline, good judgment, responsibility for their actions and interaction with others
- to help students develop positive commitments to their family, school, peers and community
- to help students resist negative pressures.
Through the program students learn:
- knowledge useful to everyday life
- understanding and valuing of self and others, and skills needed for engaging in relationships, making decisions and taking action in everyday life.
These programs include but are not limited to:
- Driver Education Programs
- Leadership/Peer Support Program
- Learning Enhancement Program
- Outdoor Learning Program
- Resilience and Bullying Programs
- Work Experience Program.
Students have the opportunity to be involved in many Student Wellbeing Programs at Whitefriars.
‘Wellbeing’ is both practice and perception; action and awareness. It is a state of being well in body, mind and spirit. Drawing from the wellsprings of our values, sense of purpose and meaning, wellbeing enlivens what matters in our lives.
