Schools nationwide are facing a surge in student mental and emotional health challenges, amplified by the post-COVID landscape. Wellbeing is now a top priority but knowing where to start can be challenging. Vivi, in partnership with Australian Schools Plus, addressed this need by hosting the “Strengthening School Safety, Wellbeing and Engagement” webinar, and Schools Plus developed the “Every Child, Every Opportunity” report.
In this post, we’ll explore key insights from both resources, focusing on the critical connection between teacher wellbeing and student success, and outlining practical strategies for building a more supportive school. We’ll also examine the evolving landscape of student wellbeing and how you can take action to create positive change.
The importance of teacher wellbeing:
Supporting students starts with supporting their teachers. Teacher wellbeing is fundamentally linked to student success, yet educators face mounting pressures. Burnout, increasing student needs, and a lack of resources are contributing to a pervasive sense of being overwhelmed. As guidance officer and psychologist Helen Morris aptly put it, “If you’re not well yourself, how can you provide to others?” Clearly, teacher wellbeing is not a luxury, but a necessity.
This sentiment is powerfully reinforced by the Schools Plus report, which found a startling 53% of teachers feel ill-equipped to handle the mental health challenges they encounter in schools. This isn’t due to a lack of caring, but a lack of adequate training and support. The demand for professional development in this area is undeniable: in 2023, 71% of schools requested funding specifically for teacher wellbeing training. A supportive school environment begins with a foundation of teacher wellbeing.
Practical strategies for supporting wellbeing:
So, how can schools create a culture of wellbeing that benefits everyone? It requires a shift from generic advice to actionable, school-wide strategies. The Schools Plus report offers three key recommendations:
- Professional learning: Equipping teachers with the skills and knowledge to support student wellbeing effectively. This includes training in evidence-based strategies and connecting them with relevant support services.
- Wellbeing navigators: Creating a dedicated role to coordinate support efforts, connect schools with community resources, and facilitate communication between home and school.
- Live well, learn well hubs: Establishing on-site resource centers that provide accessible mental health and wellbeing support for students, families, and staff.
These interconnected strategies can be implemented individually or combined. Schools can leverage wellbeing frameworks like the PERMA model (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment). As Melinda Phillips of Compassionate Schools noted, “Engagement, core to PERMA, boosts wellbeing.” Connected school environments are crucial for both staff and student wellbeing.
Creating these connections requires personalized support, open communication, and genuine empathy. Individual learning plans, reduced workloads, regular check-ins, and simply listening can make a significant difference. These seemingly small actions build trust and foster a supportive school culture where everyone can thrive.
The changing landscape of student wellbeing:
The conversation is shifting from “student welfare” to “student wellbeing”—a less clinical, more proactive approach. As Lee Casuscelli of Australian Schools Plus explains, it’s about fostering a positive environment that nurtures the whole child, providing a foundation for them to thrive.
This also means recognizing that wellbeing isn’t separate from academics; it’s intertwined with it. When students feel safe, supported, and connected, they’re better able to engage with their learning. Embedding wellbeing within the curriculum, classroom practices, and the overall school culture creates a powerful synergy that benefits both academic outcomes and students’ overall development.
Creating a school where every student thrives requires a collective effort. This involves a fundamental shift in how we approach education, one that recognizes wellbeing as crucial to student success. This empowers teachers to support their students effectively, starting with support for the teachers themselves.
Taking action: A roadmap to school wellbeing
Here are some key takeaways to help build a stronger wellbeing culture:
- Whole-school approach: Make wellbeing a shared responsibility, involving everyone from teachers and staff to students and families.
- Early intervention: Prioritize proactive strategies to address potential challenges before they escalate.
- Staff support: Invest in teacher wellbeing, providing the resources and support they need to thrive.
- Student voice: Empower students to actively participate in shaping a more supportive learning environment. Listen to their ideas and make them part of the solution.
Want to learn more? Read the complete Schools Plus “Every Child, Every Opportunity” report here for deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities facing schools.
Watch the full “Strengthening School Safety, Wellbeing and Engagement” webinar recording here for a more in-depth discussion of these strategies.
