More than just subjects

Schools must be places where students can find a real connection and build a genuine sense of community. Why? Because research shows that school connectedness is one of the best predictors of a students academic progress, health and wellbeing.  

This is why our approach at MLC goes beyond the traditional curriculum of subjects and timetables; it prioritises positive relationships through consistency of contact and support. We believe that respectful, trusting and caring relationships between teachers and students create the ideal conditions for learning, ensuring that learning is engaging, focused and appropriate for everyone.  

Margaret Horton, Senior Vice Principal, explains, “We offer multiple levels of connection, such as our cross-College House system, small groups attending Marshmead as part of our Education Outdoors program, student clubs, interdisciplinary work, and even our year level assemblies.” 

These levels of connection also transcend to greater frequency of contact between students and subject teachers, dedicated Mentors with low staff-to-student ratios, individual student check-ins, group wellbeing sessions, and clearer academic pathways with a sequential progression that strengthens student learning. Teachers and specialist staff at MLC are well-placed to utilise these relationships to identify emerging concerns, leading to earlier intervention and better outcomes for students, where needed.  

Margaret continues, “We can think of these activities as markers for social and emotional learning (SEL). At MLC, the focus is not just purely academic, because research shows that SEL not only improves achievement by an average of 11 percentile points, but it also increases prosocial behaviours (such as kindness, sharing, and empathy), improves student attitudes toward school, and reduces depression and stress (Durlak et al., 2011).” 

For Vice Principal of MLC, Mark Gray, this is all in keeping with MLC’s commitment to excellence and innovation in education, and providing a broad, balanced and integrated schooling experience. “Enhanced relationships and wellbeing activities allow students to have a more personalised program to meet their learning and wellbeing goals, resulting in a better learning experience.”