Student wellbeing is more crucial than ever before, given the world in which we live and the challenges faced by our young people.

Integral to student wellbeing is social and emotional competence, the skills of which we teach explicitly at Mount Alvernia through a program we called our “Personal Best Program”, delivered to students across Years 7 to 12 on a weekly basis.

There are five social and emotional competencies as recognised by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and the attainment of these competencies give the students the skills to be able to perform to the best of their ability, and to flourish.

The competencies include:

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness
  • Relationship Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making

These competencies are embedded in our Personal Best Program, and explored and taught through the following topics and programs at each year level.

Year 7

  • Growing Your Learning Independence
  • Positive Self-Talk
  • Identifying and Understanding Emotions
  • Navigating Friendships IRL (In Real Life) and Online
  • Beginning Relationships
  • Random Acts of Kindness

Year 8

  • Building An Understanding of Learning
  • Coping Skills
  • The Science of Character
  • Dance Program (culminating in a end of term social with Year 8 Padua College students)
  • Developing Relationships
  • Making Wise Choices – Alcohol Consumption
  • Expressions of Gratitude

Year 9

  • Learning How to Learn
  • Understanding Mental Health (Anxiety)
  • Positive Emotions
  • Progressing Relationships
  • Drug Education
  • Empathy and Compassion

Year 10

  • Goal-Setting and Time Management
  • Embrace Program (Body Image)
  • Exploring Career Paths
  • Consent – An Introduction
  • Navigating Parties Safely
  • Being a Mentor (Ambassador Program)
  • Appreciating Diversity

Year 11

  • Preparing for Success – Part I
  • How to Survive and Thrive in Senior School (delivered by Griffith University)
  • Understanding Stress
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Ethical Leadership
  • Continuing Discussions Around Consent
  • Negotiating Conflict

Year 12

  • Preparing for Success – Part II
  • Compassion and Self-Care
  • Emotional Landscape in the Senior School
  • Building Efficacy Through Lifeskills Workshops
  • Navigating Adult Relationships
  • Appreciating Different Personality Types