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In a recent literature review by the Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales (AISNSW), Cross’s work is cited as an important contribution to understanding how student wellbeing can impact academic outcomes. The review emphasises that a focus on wellbeing is not just about improving mental health but also about promoting positive social and emotional development, which in turn can lead to better academic outcomes.

One of the key concepts that Cross discusses is resilience. Cross states resilience is “the ability to cope with stress, adversity, or challenge”. Building resilience in students can help them to better manage the stresses cademic outcomes have always been a crucial aspect of education, but increasingly, educators recognise that a student’s wellbeing is just as important. In fact, focusing on boosting students’ self-confidence, resilience, selfesteem, and self-worth can only benefit their abilities to perform and thrive in an educational environment and in life outside the school gate. This is an idea that Professor Donna Cross, a renowned expert in child and adolescent health and wellbeing, has championed.of school life, including academic pressures, social challenges, and personal issues. This, in turn, can lead to better academic outcomes as students are more able to focus on their studies and persevere through difficulties. academic outcomes and social and emotional development.

Another important concept that Cross discusses is self-esteem. Self-esteem is a person’s subjective evaluation of their own worth or value.

Building self-esteem in students can help them feel more confident in their abilities, leading to improved academic outcomes. When students feel confident in their abilities, they are more likely to take risks, to ask questions, and to engage more deeply in their learning.

SEL is a process through which students learn to manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. The review notes that SEL has been shown to improve academic outcomes and social and emotional development.

The AISNSW literature review also cites Cross’s work on the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL). SEL is a process through which students learn to manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. The review notes that SEL has been shown to improve

Bishop Druitt College is one institution that has been a leader in this field for many years and it continues to take opportunities to support student wellbeing through a comprehensive approach. As part of an AISNSW Compass project, the school is reviewing its wellbeing scope and sequence to ensure that it includes opportunities for rites of passage development, is inclusive of outdoor education programs, as well as PDHPE, and other curriculum links that promote social and emotional learning. The college is also making use of its Wellbeing Hub, which provides pastoral support to students in need as well as proactive programs for all year groups. By taking a holistic approach to student wellbeing, Bishop Druitt College is demonstrating its commitment to helping students academically and personally thrive.

Source: aisnsw.edu.au/teachers-and-staff/supporting-students/ mental-health-and-wellbeing/wellbeing-literature-review

Southern Cross University Graduate Sophie Cameron is spearheading a new Occupational Therapy (OT) Service in Coffs Harbour, a region desperate for OT specialists.

Sophie’s final year placement was at Health Works NSW, a regional allied health provider based in Orange. They were so impressed with the calibre of her work they offered her a job and incentives to stay.

When Sophie declined the offer in order to stay in Coffs Harbour and seek employment near her family, the company offered her the unique opportunity of leading the start-up of a new Coffs-based operation.

“At first I asked them ‘Are you serious?’ I couldn’t believe I’d be able to keep working for such a reputable company, receiving guidance and mentorship while launching an office here in Coffs.” Sophie said. “I’m just starting out and learning about what I can offer to meet people’s needs here in Coffs – mainly with NDIS clients, from kids through to the elderly – with things like equipment prescriptions, functional capacity assessment, housing recommendations, workplace assessment and skill development. be able to keep working for such a reputable company, receiving guidance and mentorship while launching an office here in Coffs..

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is how excited people are to finally be seeing an occupational therapist, because there is such a long wait time with huge demand all over Australia.

Sophie says being part of Southern Cross University’s inaugural OT cohort in Coffs Harbour enabled her to pursue her dream career while continuing to live with family and near the ocean. She began studying her first biology subject through Southern Cross while in Year 12, through what is now known as the UniStart program, which secured her place in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

“I had never heard about OT until I was in Year 10 and I had a great careers advisor who did a quiz to match my skills and interests to possible career outcomes, and so I researched Occupational Therapy and fell in love with the philosophy of it and am so glad I pursued it,” Sophie said.

“Rather than it being about me helping people, I like to see people help themselves, so listening and observing and being able to give strategies and equipment for them to start living life independently. The most rewarding thing for me is when clients start to achieve their goals.

“The biggest thing that attracted me to Occupational Therapy is there are so many avenues you can pursue. I love it all and at the moment I’m not tied to one area or one thing, I get to see every sort of client and gain that experience.”

As a student ambassador for Southern Cross, Sophie represented the Uni at careers expos and even featured on a billboard outside the Uni on Hogbin Drive.

“I really enjoyed studying at Southern Cross. Being in a smaller cohort meant we got to know all our classmates and lecturers really well, through study and annual placements, and we continue to support each other today in all of our adventures,” she said.

“I loved going on placement and exploring different areas of OT. My first placement was at a pre-school, then with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, a paediatric clinic, and then a full 10-week caseload at Health Works in Orange. I also worked as an allied health assistant at a behaviour support company, an early intervention clinic and the hospital. I definitely recommend Occupational Therapy students explore all their options and gain as much experience as they can while studying.

“Southern Cross Uni’s Health Sciences Building in Coffs Harbour is a gamechanger for the region and made a massive difference to our learning with state-of-theart equipment which gave us confidence in our skills while out on placement.

“I’m the first in my family to attend Uni, so it was a big step, but they’ve been so supportive, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

Associate Professor Jacqui Yoxall, Chair of Allied Health at Southern Cross, said demand for allied health professionals such as Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists is at an all-time high, with some consumers waiting for more than a year for an appointment.

ABS Census Data released in late 2022 showed Occupational Therapy is one of the fastest growing professions, having experienced strong growth of 57% between 2016 and 2021 (approx. 7% per annum), with demand for occupational therapists continuing to outstrip supply.

On job website Seek, there are currently more than 7,000 ads across Australia for Occupational Therapists.

“Southern Cross University has long been an advocate for increased Allied Health services in the Coffs Coast region, and we are producing high-quality graduates who have immersive, real-world experience ready for the workforce,” Associate Professor Yoxall said.

“Sophie’s is an exemplary story showing the kinds of opportunities available to our graduates. The NDIS has dramatically increased demand for Occupational Therapists across Australia. Southern Cross University can attest to that, with 100 per cent of our recent Occupational Therapy graduates receiving employment since graduation and a large proportion employed in the disability sector.”

Avery Keller has a background in Biology and has worked at Australia Zoo, but HER FASCINATION WITH DOGS, THEIR BEHAVIOURS AND TRAINING, AND HER LOVE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECTING ITS INHABITANTS HAS LED HER INTO THE WORLD OF DOG TRAINING, specifically training Conservation Detection Dogs. We just had to find out all about this unique line of work!