The Wellbeing of Individuals
Loreto College understands that its responsibilities to students relate not only to their educational and spiritual progress but also to their wellbeing and ability to thrive as individuals.
Through a variety of avenues of support below, we strive to:
- Enhancing purposeful belonging, understanding and connectedness to our wider Loreto community to enrich our wellbeing.
- Develop a positive culture where holistic growth and development will be at the forefront of education
- Embedding ecosystems of learning and wellbeing based on system-informed wellbeing science to shape and inform individual and collective flourishing.
Felicitous Life - Positive Education Program
Empowering girls to flourish in education and life
Felicitous Life is a holistic wellbeing program for Years 7 – 12 at Loreto College Ballarat based on the principles of Positive Psychology.
Loreto College has five values which guide our teaching and learning philosophy but it is the value of Felicity that drives our desire to have all students learn how to flourish and live a life with “a positive attitude of mind, a disposition of the heart which manifests itself in cheerfulness, good humour, joy, happiness, hope, optimism, friendliness, courtesy, positive thinking, inner peace, self-acceptance and courage.”
The “Felicitous Life” model of positive education for Loreto College Ballarat includes the categories of Positive Accomplishment (Mindset), Positive Emotions (Mood), Positive Engagement (Motivation), Positive Health (Mindfulness), Positive Purpose (Meaning) and Positive Relationships (Might).
Wellbeing Precinct
Learning Diversity Department
Our Learning Diversity department at Loreto College provides academic and pastoral support for students who have a wide range of learning needs. Students with diverse learning needs could include: those with vision or hearing impairments, chronic health issues, physical disabilities, specific learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder or mental health concerns, as well as students considered gifted and talented or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), including those with a refugee background.
Our programs are tailored to suit the needs of each student as they move through the secondary years. The team of teachers and Learning Support Officers in the Learning Diversity department ensure that ability-appropriate content is available and accessible for all students.
We work with identified students in a variety of ways:
- Supporting the student's learning in the classroom setting
- Supporting students outside of the classroom in the Learning Hub
- Provision of specific literacy programs
- Designing teaching and learning programs with the faculties to support students’ learning needs
- Supporting students with special arrangements for examinations
- Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) for students who require adjustments in curriculum delivery and assessments
All students regardless of race, age or gender, by virtue of their dignity as human persons, have a right to an education that is suited to their particular needs and adapted to their ability
Pope Paul VI 1965
Programs are implemented in a range of ways, for example, one-to-one teaching and mentoring, small group instruction and within class support.
Our Learning Diversity staff work closely with Student Wellbeing and counselling to support both the academical and emotional needs of our students.
School Counselling Services
The Counselling Service works with students, and when required their families and College staff to support students in achieving positive mental health and to help address any barriers to learning and educational engagement. The Counselling Service allows students to talk about mental health and wellbeing concerns with a counsellor in a safe and confidential setting. The counselling team is staffed by practitioners with a range of appropriate qualifications (e.g. psychology, social work etc.).
The team offers short-term, targeted support for students who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns. The service accepts referrals from students, families, and school staff. Referrals are triaged by our team and will be allocated to a Counsellor. The team may recommend a further referral to more suitable external services such as community service, private psychologist, or multi-disciplinary treatment in the public mental health service.
Please note: If there is a crisis or significant risk regarding mental health, school safe guidelines and Loreto College School policy requires that students and their families seek support from specialist community services.
Mentor System
Our pastoral care program takes a horizontal approach, meaning each Mentor Group (commonly known as a House Group) comprises of students from only their year level.
The Mentor Group arrangement is designed to allow students and their families to have one staff member acting as an advocate and support person. The Mentor Teacher will provide wellbeing, academic and additional support where needed to ensure students are engaged and supported. The Mentor Teacher will communicate a students’ overall progress as well as other additional areas that may be required such as Learning Diversity.
From Year 7 to 9, Mentor Groups and Mentor Teacher will change each year as students’ progress. From Year 10 to 12, students will continue to have the same Mentor Groups and teacher through to the end of Year 12.
Student Leadership
At Loreto, every student is a leader. With a range of formal and informal opportunities for all students to develop their leadership style and skills across a wide range of interests, skills and passions.
House System
Barry - Mornane - Mulhall - Ward
A crucial element of our pastoral care program is helping students develop a sense of connectedness and belonging. Our House System strengthens this through a range of activities, including House Choirs, sporting carnivals, House events and providing students with leadership opportunities.
Every student belongs to one of four Houses – Barry, Mornane, Mulhall or Ward. Each of the Houses is named after a Loreto Sister of significance.
Through this system, we strive for each student to improve their confidence, self-worth and willingness to take on new challenges.