Mr Patrick Brennan, Deputy Principal - Student & Staff Wellbeing
Read more: 2021 Wellbeing Survey, National Day of Action Against Bullying, Student Resilience Event, Consent Parent Webinar
From Mr Patrick Brennan, Deputy Principal – Staff and Student Wellbeing
Bullying ‘No Way’ at Waverley College
2021 Wellbeing Survey
On Friday 19 March all students completed the 2021 Wellbeing Survey which captured a snapshot of wellbeing at the College, highlighting our strengths, and importantly giving us feedback where we can improve.
This survey was strategically held in the lead up to the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.
Some of the key results to come from this include:
- 94% of students feel safe and supported at the College
- 91% of students have never been bullied on social media
- 72% of students have never or rarely been affected by bullying
- 82% of students see the College as a place where bullying is not tolerated
- 85% of students believe we have adequate policies in place to deal with bullying
The National Day of Action Against Bullying
The National Day of Action against Bullying aims to empower students and unite our school community in finding workable solutions to address bullying and violence. This year, each of our 1500 students discussed and developed strategies in their wellbeing groups to further deal with bullying in our community. These were displayed around the College.
Current research indicates that bullying is less likely to occur in a caring, respectful and supportive teaching and learning community.
Waverley College has planned a whole-school approach to promote student safety and wellbeing and address bullying behaviour effectively.
The survey also identified the many upstanders we have at the College. This large group of students will be celebrated publicly at the next College assembly and invited to a special lunch in the wellbeing centre on Friday 19 March.
The small number of students that were identified as displaying bullying behaviours will be counselled and their parents notified over the coming weeks.
During Week seven, the College supported the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence with a number of wellbeing activities and events:
- 2021 Wellbeing Survey which in part looks at the great work we do against bullying and strategically helps us improve our structures in the future.
- Wellbeing activities designed to build capacity in each student should they ever encounter bullying.
- A special upstander lunch for students who were identified as upstanders against bullies at the College in this year’s Wellbeing Survey.
- The formation of a giant NO at Queens Park involving Year 10 and Year 5 students as part of their ‘Big Brother, Little Brother program’.
- Anti-bullying strategies advertised on our digital screens all week.
- A teacher vs student Gaelic Football game on Wednesday 17 March.
Our goal is that Waverley is a place that is safe and fosters a strong sense of belonging through its inclusivity (one of our four EREA Touchstones).
Waverley students participate in the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence 2021 at Queens Park
Save the Dates – Parent Evenings in 2021
The College is proud to be presenting new parent evenings in 2021.
Parent Event – Building Student Resilience – Monday 19 April – 5.30pm – at College Gym
Greg and Kate Mitchell are dedicated “Culture Wranglers”! Their aim is to improve student resilience. The presentation is relaxed, friendly, and fun; but radically honest in this age of helicopter parenting, they seek to deliver serious messages in the most positive way possible.
Most parents have had more training on how to drive their car than on how to raise resilient children. Greg’s workshops are designed to empower parents to be excellent rather than perfect. Entertaining, humorous, honest and challenging, these workshops are a must.
To attend this free event, please register your interest via this registration link
Parent Webinar – Consent and Sexual Violence – Wednesday 24 March – 7pm – 8pm
In response to the petition created by Ms Chanel Contos to advocate for better consent education in Australian schools, the College has partnered with a provider and is hosting a series of webinars for parents on the topic of Consent and Sexual Violence.
The petition has been signed by 23,000+ people, with 3,000+ accompanying testimonies from young women at Australian schools describing horrific cases of sexual assault.
Elephant Ed is a leading provider of sexuality and relationships education to tens of thousands of Australian students, and is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.
You are required to register in advance for this webinar via this registration link
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a UNIQUE link to join the webinar on the night. Please do not share this link with others – it is unique to you. Once it is activated, the link will not work on another device. If you share the link with someone else, you will be unable to access the webinar on the night.
