Geelong Grammar School is fine-tuning its leading Positive Education program, based on research from a University of Melbourne study.
The four-year Positive Education study tracked the wellbeing of Year 9 to Year 11 students by measuring psychological, physiological and behavioural indicators.
According to The Weekly Times, interim results found Geelong Grammar School students reported higher levels of wellbeing in Year 9 and Year 10 compared to students at similar schools. In contrast to other schools, the mental wellbeing of Geelong Grammar students increased during Years 9 and 10.
However, the research showed mental wellbeing and satisfaction declined, and depression and anxiety increased in Year 11, coinciding with the end of Positive Education lessons and the start of VCE and International Baccalaureate studies.
In response to the findings, Geelong Grammar held a resilience retreat for Year 11 students after mid-year exams this year.
The two-day retreat at Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus introduced resilience skills for coping with stress such as acceptance commitment training, mindfulness and positive goal setting.
‘One of the key goals of our Positive Education program is to develop targeted resilience skills and to equip our students with the ability to successfully navigate the inevitable challenges and stress of their teenage years,’ says the head of Positive Education, David Bott.