Wellbeing Matters: Nurturing hearts and minds at Penrhos College
Wellbeing matters at Penrhos College. Developing a supportive educational journey is essential when fostering happiness and satisfaction for our students.
At Penrhos, we place a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of our students, staff and parents by adopting a holistic approach to community wellbeing!
Empowering parents with SchoolTV
Parents play a crucial role in supporting the wellbeing of our students, and at Penrhos College, we believe in equipping them with the tools and knowledge to support their children. SchoolTV forms part of our College's ‘Full Circle’ suite of evidence-based parent resources/services.
SchoolTV offers a wealth of information on various aspects of child and adolescent development, mental health, and wellbeing. From managing back-to-school transitions to understanding the impact of digital technology on young minds, SchoolTV provides expert advice and practical strategies for parents.
SchoolTV aims to create a well-informed parent community that is prepared and confident to navigate the complexities of modern parenting. This resource empowers parents with knowledge, helping them to understand and respond to their children’s needs with confidence and empathy.
SchoolTV is accessible via Compass - under the Favourites tab.
Wellbeing topics addressing the issues that affect young people.
Topics feature interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additional resources include informative fact sheets, articles, apps, books, podcasts, websites, and other videos - all related to a single topic, in one place for easy access!
Checking in with our students: The role of Skodel
We recognise that every student and her experiences are different. Part of our wellbeing strategy, Skodel is one tool we use to stay attuned to each student’s needs.
Skodel is a check-in tool that gives every student in Years 6-8 (extended into Year 5 in 2025) the opportunity to voice feelings and thoughts in a safe way. These online student check-ins provide pastoral staff with a snapshot of how a student is feeling and immediately links the student to support for a broad range of situations. This approach provides tailored assistance and fosters a student’s ability to manage her wellbeing over time.
“Student voice is central to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment and Skodel, allows us to hear directly from our students. The data generated from Skodel check-ins is easy to interpret and helps direct teacher and pastoral staff conversations with students and parents. The data is also used to drive individualised student support and community initiatives.”
Empowering students through self-efficacy
Providing students with the tools, skills and confidence to manage whatever comes their way empowers them to take charge of their wellbeing.
Action plans tailored to individual needs
After a check-in, students can use Skodel to create personalised action plans. These plans are focused on areas the students themselves identify as important, allowing them to work at their own pace and according to their own needs.
Adjustable and trackable progress
Students have the flexibility to adjust their plans based on what’s working for them and track their progress over time. This process builds ownership and self-efficacy in wellbeing. By regularly using Skodel, we can identify trends, recognise potential challenges early and celebrate positive developments. This proactive approach not only helps in addressing immediate concerns but also fosters a culture of openness and support, encouraging students to feel comfortable in seeking help when needed.
Amplifying student voice
In a busy school environment, gathering meaningful wellbeing data through teacher observations can prove challenging. Skodel addresses this by integrating student voice safely into the College’s wellbeing strategy.
Beyond emotions
While it’s common for students to experience worry, Skodel helps identify if these feelings are impacting a student’s ability to function as well as key reasons for this. This depth of insight ensures that support can be accurately directed where it’s needed most!
One-minute check-ins with support at key moments
Penrhos engages with students 1-3 times a term through Skodel, prioritising targeted interactions over frequency. This approach ensures that check-ins are both relevant and valuable. Students also have the option to undertake a self-directed check in at a time other than that set by the Head of Students/Form Teacher.
Guidelines for Reviewing and Using Data
Skodel provides straightforward guidelines for staff on how to interpret and act on the data collected. For instances of uncertainty, staff can easily escalate concerns to specialised pastoral staff with the click of a button, ensuring a student’s needs are supported.
“As a Head of Students, the data is easy to understand and quick to respond to. I get just the right amount of information and an insight into how an individual is tracking and use this to make simple adjustments or have important conversations”
Supporting our staff
The wellbeing of our staff is just as important as that of our students and parents. Our educators and support staff are the backbone of Penrhos College, and their health and happiness directly influence the quality of education and care we provide. We are committed to creating a supportive work environment that prioritises staff wellbeing through various initiatives and programs.
Regular professional development opportunities, access to mental health resources, and a collaborative work culture are just a few ways in which we support our staff. By fostering a positive and inclusive workplace, we ensure that our staff are not only able to perform their best but also serve as positive role models for our students.
A unified approach to wellbeing
We recognise that fostering a healthy, supportive community requires the collective efforts of all members. By checking in with our students through Skodel, empowering parents with resources like SchoolTV, and supporting our dedicated staff, we create a nurturing environment where everyone can flourish.
We remain committed to prioritising wellbeing in all aspects of school life and will continue to create experiences and implement programs and practices that promote and support connection and wellness. Together, we can ensure that Penrhos College remains a place where every individual feels valued, supported and engaged.
