Good Shepherd Lutheran College’s approach to wellbeing is one of their fundamental points of difference in educating young Territorians.
The wellbeing of our students, staff and College community, and the provision of educational best-practice underpins all that we do at Good Shepherd. We aim to nurture well educated, balanced and resilient individuals who are capable of flourishing personally and professionally, and who are well equipped and motivated to contribute to society in a satisfying and meaningful way.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College is committed to the development of the whole person, understanding that an individual’s vocational, academic, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual development is inextricably intertwined both within their own sense of identity and in their shared social and cultural identities.
The term ‘wellbeing’ encompasses the physical, mental, social and relational health of those within the Good Shepherd community, and their experiences of engaging in learning and life, both within and outside the College.
At Good Shepherd, wellbeing is both an outcome of learning and a critical facilitator of staff and student learning and development.
Understanding Wellbeing
Wellbeing is dynamic in nature. Wellbeing can be considered stable when individuals have the psychological, social and physical resources they need to meet particular challenges; however when challenges outweigh resources, their wellbeing will diminish (Dodge et al., 2012; p. 231). When wellbeing is understood as fluid and multidimensional, it reminds us that in times of stress, staff and students will need to more actively draw upon supports and skills in order to maintain their wellness. In addition, there will be those who live in an ongoing situation of challenge, who will likely need long-term support, and those experiencing severe stress or trauma will need additional resourcing and care.