At Investigator College we promote the motto of ‘best self’. What does that look like to our students and how do we help them achieve this personal goal? Our pastoral care programs are one way that we can promote and encourage growth in our young people.
We are a Positive Education (Pos Ed) College and the fundamentals of that program help us to guide students through some of the most challenging years of their young lives.
“Positive Education is an approach that weaves the research from Positive Psychology and wellbeing science, into schools. Positive Education teaches young people the skills they need to support and manage their mental health and wellbeing, assisting them to make a successful transition into (and to maintain) a healthy adult lifestyle.”(PESA)
Students from Years 9-12 will follow a Positive Education curriculum with their home group teacher during our extended pastoral care lessons. The plans are very carefully designed to support and complement each other by providing a clear structure.
Some of the modules include:
Year 9
Empathy & Compassion
Leadership & Teamwork
Gratitude
Physical Wellbeing
Resilience
Year 10
Motivation
Caring for others
Character Development
Core Values
Sense of Meaning
Year 11
Kindness & connections
Positivity
Flow
Leadership & Teamwork
Decision making
Year 12
Mind-body connection
Grit & persistence
SMART goals
Gratitude
Communication
By integrating these principles/modules into the educational environment, positive education aims to not only improve academic outcomes but also enhance students’ overall wellbeing, resilience and life satisfaction. It provides a holistic approach to education that addresses the mental, emotional and social aspects of student development.
If you would like to know more about these programs, please reach out to your student’s home group teacher or our year level coordinators, who assist in organsing these programs (Nicole Ranson for 9-10s and Simone Bonser for 11-12s).
Positive Education is not the only way we nurture our students. Our extra-curricular programs, ranging from a variety of sports to Musical, Art Club and Table Top Club, all build into student wellbeing. We encourage all students to choose something they enjoy outside of the classroom and join our very dedicated staff.
On that very positive note, I am pleased to report that our after school study sessions are beginning to gain strong attendance. These sessions are open to all Year 11 and 12 students from 3:30pm – 5:30pm every Wednesday afternoon. They will always be staffed by at least two teachers. Some of our students are even requesting to meet with their subject teacher at this time. A very positive step to a successful academic year.
We are at the halfway point of Term 1, which is very hard to believe, but we have so many more wonderful events to come.
Best wishes and enjoy the long weekend.
