Healthy rites of passage and safeguarding the wellbeing of students at Pymble Dr Arne Rubinstein Rites of Passage Institute
The Rites of Passage Institute has been working with Pymble since 2020 to implement programs that safeguard the wellbeing of students and supports each student through a Continuum of Care. THERE ARE TWO KEY AIMS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP:
Furthermore, research from the Black
1. To build strong healthy
than 40 per cent of Year 12 students
Dog Institute (2021) outlines that more
communities at the College that
report symptoms of anxiety and
include parents and staff, as well
depression higher than the normal
as students
range for their age group. The burden
2. To find ways to celebrate and
of serious mental health illness is borne
support students as they go
more heavily by young females than
through key transitional times at
males. Furthermore, this research shows
the College
that students at greater risk of mental
There is an increasing concern around the rise of mental health issues, especially amongst teenage girls.
health issues are more likely to seek help from the internet than from parents and health care professionals.
Beyond Blue (2021) reports that almost
The work we are doing together aims
one-fifth of all young people aged 11
to address these key issues and give the
to 17 years, experience high or very
students long term benefits by:
high levels of psychological distress.
• Creating a strong sense of belonging
Additionally, 19.9 per cent of all young
• Teaching key 21st century life skills
people (11 to 17 years) had high or very high levels of psychological distress in the previous 12 months, however, for females aged 16 to 17 years and young people with major depressive disorder, this was significantly higher (36.2 per
• Providing a safe environment, physically and emotionally • Helping students become aware of their gifts and talents, their genius and spirit.
cent and 80.7 per cent respectively).
Pymble Ladies’ College
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