The importance of student wellbeing has seen a wave of change at Mentone Girls’ Grammar’s beachside campus, with the school dedicating a third of its grounds to a new Wellbeing Precinct.
The precinct houses an Aquatic Centre with purpose built Learn-To-Swim pool, 25-metre pool and diving boards, along with three outdoor ball courts, outdoor playing fields encompassing 12 tennis courts and a multi-use surface, as well as a long jump pit and running track. These facilities join the Wellbeing Centre that plays host to a gymnasium, mind-body studio, fitness gym, nurse and psychologist.
Vice Principal and Head of Wellbeing, Jo Frost, believes offering state-of-the-art wellbeing facilities and services allows girls to flourish in both their learning and in life through a truly holistic learning framework.
“Learning doesn’t happen without wellbeing. It is entwined throughout our curriculum, is central to our culture and the evidence on how successfully wellbeing links with learning is indisputable,” says Ms Frost
She highlights that at Mentone Girls’ Grammar, there is a drive to make wellbeing highly visible for all students and to send a message that their wellbeing is important to the school.
“Through our WAVES program (Wellbeing, Achievement, Values, Enterprise and Success), we have curriculum time where our staff can work with the girls on their wellbeing, and use a variety of resources to empower them to take the steps to manage their mental and physical health,” adds Ms Frost.
“Girls with a strong sense of wellbeing are engaged, productive, focussed and happy learners.”