At Sacred Heart College we are committed to creating an inclusive, engaging and mutually respectful environment where each student is:
Our wellbeing practices aim to develop students who:
Our wellbeing practices are:
Wellbeing at SHC is inspired by our Growth and Development Philosophy (see below) and underpinned by our Visible Wellbeing framework. Through this practice, we are working with Lea Waters to embed a culture of wellness for learning across the school and wider community.
Visible Wellbeing meaningfully combines the science of learning and the science of wellbeing to help communities embed evidence-based approaches for supporting wellbeing in a strengths-based manner within a school community. We are using the SEARCH framework, which focuses on strengths and promoting emotional regulation, awareness, relationship building, proactive coping skills and goal setting.
We are really excited about the way in which this program embeds wellness for learning throughout the school, including in all interactions, in curriculum and classrooms, and within the wider community. To get involved, students can engage with student leadership opportunities, speak to a relevant staff member, keep their eye on the Bulletin or start their own initiative! There are also regular excursions providing opportunities to grow their understanding. They can also get involved by seeing, hearing, and feeling wellbeing all around them and speaking to others about this! In terms of physical wellbeing, one way they can get involved is through PA40+.
PA40+ is the College's initiative that promotes, educates and encourages the benefits of being physically active every day, in your own way for 40 minutes or more.
The program extends across the SHC Community to include students, staff and families as part of our mission to embed a culture and environment of health and wellbeing into all learning.
PA40+ is a Year 10 semester based subject that aims to equip students with the knowledge and independence to embed healthy habits and attitudes towards lifelong physical activity.
PA40+ Classes offer a variety of daily group fitness classes for all students during school hours, along with the use of College facilities, such as the O'Dwyer Centre Gymnasium and Weights Room. Any students who are keen to get started in using the College's weights room need to first complete an online induction, see the student bulletin for the video and form link.
Class timetables are developed each term in direct response to student feedback about preferred exercise and fitness goals, with classes available every lunchtime at 1.00pm as well as options for those who have study periods.
To view the current timetable please see below and for a list of all classes with descriptions that have been offered so far in the program please visit: https://bit.ly/pa40classlist
Please contact Josh Davidson, Sports and Wellness Centre Manager, if you require further information or have any questions about the PA40+ program.
Students, staff and families also now have access to weekly online workouts presented in partnership with LuceFit Australia. Further details can be found in the Principal's Update email sent to families each Thursday.
The objectives of Living Mercy are to assist school communities to provide pastoral care and general spiritual, social and emotional comfort to all students, irrespective of their faith or beliefs. This can include support and guidance about ethics, values, relationships and spiritual issues; the provision of student welfare; and enhancing engagement with the broader community.
Part of our focus on wellness for learning, the College has developed a Food Charter with the aims to promote balanced, communal, empowered and sustainable food habits.
Read our Food Charter
The Inclusion and Diversity team aims to support, empower and enable students to learn within inclusive learning environments. The team caters to the diversity of students' learning and abilities through a range of supports to promote learning independence.
The Inclusion and Diversity team works collaboratively with the internal Student Support Services team alongside external professionals and services, whilst fostering partnerships with families to establish supportive networks. Collectively with health professionals, necessary adjustments are considered to support and engage students in their learning.
Student Support Services at Sacred Heart College is part of the Inclusion and Diversity Network and is located at Mercy House.
These services are accessible:
The purpose of the SHC Pastoral Care system is to create a connected, inclusive and caring community where students can feel safe, secure and valued.
The Pastoral Care system at the college is based around a vertical house structure of four houses with mentor groups formed from students in Year 7, Years 8 and 9 and Years 10 to 12. The system and the network of House Mentors are overseen by House Student Development Coordinators (SDC) and Deputy Principal Student Development.
Inclusion and Diversity:
Supports students and staff in the promotion of:
The First Aid Officer also provides:
The health and well-being of our students is a priority and it is our legal responsibility to have mandatory health management plans in place at the start of each year for students who need support.
E: idbody@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
MIND (College Social Workers and Psychologist)
As a Catholic learning community in the Mercy tradition, Sacred Heart College strives to embed and maintain a culture of respect, inclusion and safety, where diversity is celebrated, and the dignity of each member is protected.
Respectful Relationships Committment
Here are some contact numbers of a variety of health services throughout Geelong:
The links below provide advice on how to support and speak to young people about mental health and suicide:
Call
Email
Visit