Student Wellbeing

The Wellbeing Department encompasses counselling services, support and resilience building programs, the Program for Students with Disabilities, a Koorie Engagement Support Officer, classroom aides, staff activities, breakfast club, Immunisation Program, the school Sick Bay, Healthcare in Schools Program and explicit links with outside services.

We believe that emotionally and physically healthy students are happy, able to deal positively with life’s challenges, and are well placed to develop into well-balanced, motivated and resilient young adults.

The Swan Hill College community recognises and values student individuality, differences and diversity. We encourage leadership and participation in all levels of school life.

The College aims to provide a positive culture where bullying is not accepted, and in so doing, all will have the right of respect from others, the right to learn or to teach, and a right to feel safe and secure in the College environment.

Wellbeing Programs

Healthcare in Schools Program

Health Care in School Program – In 2018 Swan Hill College began providing the Doctors in Secondary Schools (DIS) program, which has now evolved into Healthcare in Schools. This service is available to any student who is enrolled at the College. Students are able to access a Doctor and Registered Nurse in both face-to-face appointments and telehealth appointments, in a safe and confidential environment. It is a free service; students and their parents/guardians/carers do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for consultations. The program can assist with a range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health issues. Here at the College, we believe Healthcare in Schools is an invaluable and positive program that is essential in a rural setting such as ours.

Embrace and Empower

This program is designed for Year 8 girls and focuses on building positive self-esteem, healthy body image, confidence and respectful relationships. Through engaging discussions, practical activities and supportive group conversations, students are encouraged to develop self-awareness, resilience and a stronger sense of identity during an important stage of adolescence. The program explores the impact of social media, appearance pressures and peer influence while promoting body positivity, self-acceptance and emotional wellbeing. Students are supported to recognise their strengths, challenge unrealistic expectations and build healthy, respectful connections with themselves and others.

Great Mates

A four-part program that supports year 8 boys to reflect on identity, relationships, leadership and the influence of modern culture. Through practical discussions and group activities, students explore what genuine respect looks like, how online spaces shape behaviour and beliefs, and the importance of healthy peer support and accountability. Across the sessions, boys are encouraged to think critically about masculinity, popularity, social pressure and self-image while developing stronger emotional awareness, communication skills and positive group culture. The program focuses on building respectful relationships, encouraging support-seeking behaviours and empowering students to positively influence their peers both within and beyond the program setting.

SEED program with year 7’s

The SEED (Self, Empowerment, Engagement, Drive) Program has been established by the Wellbeing team for all of our year 7 students. The program aims to encourage students to reflect and unpack important concepts over the course of 4 weeks of term 3 & 4.

Week 1 – focuses on Self with key topics including personal strengths, roles models, values and identity.

Week 2 – focuses on Empowerment with key topics focusing on how to build and maintain a healthy friendship, emotional resilience, bullying/bystander/up-stander theories and peer pressure.

Week 3 – focuses on Engagement with key topics including the importance of connectedness and engagement in the community.

Week 4 – focuses on Drive including topics including Motivational theory, growth vs. fixed mindset review, goal setting and resilience.

The lessons are fun, engaging and informative for all students. We use a range of activities to help the students discover their strengths and to help develop a positive self-image.

SAGA

The Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) is a social support group for LGBTQIA+ young people and their allies. The group provides a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where students can connect, build friendships and feel a sense of belonging within the school community. SAGA encourages respect, acceptance and positive peer support while creating opportunities for students to engage in conversations, activities and wellbeing-focused discussions in a welcoming space. Every Tuesday in E9 during lunch from 1pm till 1:30pm.

Healthy Head Space

A skills-based workshop program designed to provide students with practical coping strategies, emotional wellbeing skills and brief psychoeducation across a range of important mental health and wellbeing topics. Delivered in a supportive and engaging environment, the program aims to help students build confidence, resilience, self-awareness and healthy coping skills that can be applied both at school and in everyday life.