Wellbeing for Learning
Fostering Academic Growth and Personal Development
WELLBEING FOR LEARNING
Wellbeing and academic outcomes are inextricably linked. Our holistic approach to Wellbeing and Learning integrates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development to help students realise their unique potential.
As a Catholic College, we are driven by a vision to empower our students to fulfil their God-given potential, reflecting our commitment to both Learning and Wellbeing. We believe that young people truly thrive when their education fosters both academic growth and personal development.
Our Wellbeing for Learning framework guides our efforts to support every aspect of student development. By aligning our Learning and Teaching Vision with our Student Wellbeing Vision, we aim to enhance both learning and wellbeing outcomes for each student.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
Learning and Teaching Vision
LEARNING AND TEACHING VISION
At John Paul College, we understand that learning and teaching are not just about delivering or understanding knowledge and content, but also about emotional and intellectual growth.
We believe that every student’s learning journey is inspired by our mission “With Him is the Fullness of Life”. Our commitment to this mission ensures that every member of our community is empowered to achieve success, act with integrity and contribute to the common good - Christian discipleship for a just world.
We believe that learning is a journey that involves developing the elements of knowledge, capabilities, and self. Our curriculum focuses on developing core literacy, numeracy, ICT skills, as well as building evidence-based capabilities such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, creativity, and communication. We also prioritise the development of personal skills, including resilience, self-awareness, adaptability, reflection, leadership, social awareness, and independence. By fostering these skills, students will be prepared to succeed in a constantly changing world and be able to approach challenges with empathy, positivity, and confidence.
Through explicitly teaching the value of learning, we enable safe and respectful learning communities. We connect students, families, and staff through collaborative and caring relationships which is underpinned by JPC’s Elements for Wellbeing, encompassing the four intersecting dimensions of Enable, Connect, Engage, and Learn.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
ELEMENT Knowledge
We believe that for students to excel, they must develop core knowledge and essential skills, including literacy, numeracy, scientific literacy, ICT skills, and historical literacy. Foundational knowledge in these areas equips students with the ability to critically evaluate information, distinguish fact from fiction, and integrate competencies that support their personal growth and academic success.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to scaffold these skills while fostering students’ passion and curiosity for learning. It encourages collaboration between staff and students, creating an environment where learning is shared and celebrated. Students are guided to unpack and articulate their understanding, deepening their thinking and building confidence in their abilities.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
ELEMENT Capabilities
In a world that is increasingly complex and ever-changing, we believe students must be equipped to learn, adapt, and thrive. To support ongoing learning, students need to develop evidence-based capabilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, metacognition, collaboration, creativity, and diverse communication skills.
By building strong thinking competencies, students will be better prepared to tackle challenges that require identifying problems, designing effective solutions, and critically reflecting on their actions. Our curriculum offers opportunities to enhance communication skills through collaboration, written expression, and the effective use of technology.
Incorporating collaborative experiences into learning helps students understand the value of teamwork while developing communication skills and empathy.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
ELEMENT Self
To thrive both inside and outside the classroom, our students focus on developing essential personal skills that promote holistic growth. At the heart of this development are our faith values, which emphasise the spirit of community, courage, perseverance, and generosity.
Our curriculum and classroom dynamics foster the growth of key skills such as resilience, emotional selfawareness, adaptability, reflection, leadership, social awareness, and independence. By cultivating these attributes, students become better equipped to navigate change and overcome challenges.
Encouraging independence and reflection empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey They are guided to assess their successes and identify areas for improvement, building confidence and preparedness for future endeavors.
This holistic approach ensures students are ready to adapt, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
Wellbeing Vision
WELLBEING VISION
PASTORAL CARE
At John Paul College we understand that wellbeing is critical to children and young people’s learning and life outcomes.
Wellbeing is understood to be ‘realising one’s unique potential through physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development. It is a sustainable state of positive mood and attitude, resilience, and satisfaction with self, relationships and experiences at school (Noble & Wyatt, 2008, p.21).
Our mission “With Him is the Fullness of Life” shapes our school community and helps form our vision:
The commitment to ensure every member of our community is empowered to achieve success, act with integrity and contribute to the common good - Christian discipleship for a just world.
Through creating effective and efficient structures within the school and explicitly teaching wellbeing, we enable safe and respectful school communities: connect children, young people, families and staff through collaborative and caring relationships; engage students through experiences that motivate, empower, inspire and reframe the learning of wellbeing as an integral component of broader academic learning. The four intersecting dimensions of Enable, Connect, Engage and Learn shape John Paul College’s Elements for Wellbeing.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CHILD SAFETY
STUDENT VOICE & AGENCY
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral Care at John Paul College is a framework of support for our students from Year 7 to Year 12. It has a dual foundation of relationships and learning and is an integral element of our visible focus on wellbeing.
We Enable through Pastoral Care by providing safe physical, emotional, social and online environments that are positive, predictable, structured and familiar, through school policies, practices and pedagogy. We acknowledge and celebrate children and young people’s progress and achievements.
We Learn through Pastoral Care by personalising deep learning experiences that help develop individual identity and encourage reflection and personal growth. We invest in a range of extracurricular and co-curricular activities to complement students’ interests, goals and learning profiles.
We Engage through Pastoral Care by building strong and productive relationships with students, parents, teachers and the broader community through collaboration and a shared sense of purpose.
We Connect through Pastoral Care by developing a culture in which all members of the school community experience a sense of welcome, belonging and attachment through caring, nurturing and trusting relationships.
Pastoral care is a demonstration of profound respect for the human dignity of each person who is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 26–27). This call to respect each person is inspired by the sacred Scriptures and brought to life by the person of Jesus Christ.
MACS Pastoral Care of Student Policy
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community Engagement at John Paul College is centred on the understanding that authentic human flourishing occurs in communion and connection with others. By understanding our individual and collective responsibilities within the John Paul College community, we strengthen a sense of belonging which helps promote resilience, positive behaviour and supports mental and emotional wellbeing.
We Enable Community Engagement by building strong and productive relationships with students, parents, teachers and the broader community through collaboration and a shared sense of purpose.
We Learn through Community Engagement by acknowledging and celebrating children and young people’s progress and achievements.
We Engage with the Community through fostering relationships and demonstrating compassion for all by recognising the dignity of the individual.
We Connect with the Community by developing emotional engagement with and understanding of issues relating to justice, inclusion and equity.
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:14
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
CHILD SAFETY
Child Safety at John Paul College is an explicit commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment where the emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual and physical wellbeing of our students is a priority.
We Enable Child Safety by embedding an organisational culture of safeguarding children and young people in their community to ensure risk is rigorously assessed and relevant policies and strategies are in place to create a ‘zero tolerance’ [1] of all forms of abuse.
We Learn about Child Safety by providing a broad range of opportunities for students to experience inclusion, diversity and what it means to be ‘safe.’ Relationships shape and affirm these opportunities.
We Engage with Child Safety through a ‘call to service’ which enables students to promote justice, inclusion and equity.
We Connect with Child Safety by being student-centred in all we do so that diverse opportunities can be experienced in a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment.
Child Safety encompasses matters related to protecting all children from child abuse, managing the risk of child abuse, providing support to a child at risk of child abuse, and responding to suspicions, incidents, disclosures or allegations of child abuse (Ministerial Order No. 1359).
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
STUDENT VOICE AND ADVOCACY
Student Voice and Agency at John Paul College is an embedded approach whereby students contribute their ideas and thoughts to their learning and wellbeing collaboratively with staff to develop empowerment and connection.
We Enable Student Voice and Agency by encouraging inclusion, modeling collaboration and empowering the voice of students, families and staff in the decision-making process.
We Learn through Student Voice and Agency by providing opportunities for children and young people to strengthen their decision-making and goal-setting skills in the classroom, at home and in the community.
We Engage Student Voice and Agency by developing children and young people’s leadership skills, civic awareness, environmental stewardship, ethical responsibility and sense of hope, agency and optimism that, through their contribution, a better world is possible.
We Connect through Student Voice and Agency by developing structures and policies that reflect Catholic teaching and the values of democracy and inclusiveness to ensure multiple voices are empowered and different perspectives are represented.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
PROVERBS 31:8-9 (NIV)
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE
www.jpc.vic.edu.au
