Integrated Wellbeing Approach

MLC has long been recognised for its integrated approach to student wellbeing, encouraging healthy mindsets, respectful relationships, lifelong resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.

Research shows that when students have higher levels of wellbeing, they are more likely to have higher academic achievement and better mental health. 

The principles that underpin our approach to wellbeing, PROSPER (Positivity, Relationships, Outcomes, Strengths, Purpose, Engagement, Resilience), integrate the science of wellbeing and the latest research into wellbeing frameworks with best-practice teaching and learning.

How we enable and foster wellbeing includes:

• Integrated wellbeing programs that are tailored to each age group to build on previous years' interpersonal skills and knowledge learning.
• In Junior School (Prep-Year 6), every class benefits from dedicated Learning Diversity specialists working in a number of ways to support learning, social and emotional needs.
• In secondary school, every student has a dedicated Mentor who is directly responsible for supporting her to achieve her personal and wellbeing goals. This includes regular, personalised one-on-one meetings, and group wellbeing check-ins with low student-teacher ratios.
• Specialist staff for learning support and enrichment, careers and physical and mental health.
• Wellbeing programs that are tailored to each age group to build on previous years' interpersonal skills and knowledge learning. These programs are delivered directly by the MLC Wellbeing team, and in partnership with evidenced-based and leading organisations.

Counselling

Our Counselling Team provides short-term counselling services that address students’ social, emotional and wellbeing needs.

Counselling is provided by a qualified team of mental health professionals with extensive experience in child and family services and child and adolescent mental health.

The MLC Counselling Team aims to:

• Provide an early and active response to signs of personal difficulty
• Assist students to develop insight and social and emotional literacy skills
• Enhance support networks by strengthening relationships with family, peers and teachers
• Address concerns in a confidential and respectful way, so that students can take maximum advantage of the learning opportunities at MLC
• Identify areas of need to be addressed in wellbeing programs

The Counselling Service is available to all Prep to Year 12 students and their families and provides:

• Assessment of the social and psychological wellbeing of individual students
• Personal and confidential counselling
• Referral to and liaison with private practitioners and community agencies
• Consultation and support to families and caregivers
• Consultation and collaboration with MLC staff

Health and physical wellbeing

The Health Centre is staffed from 8 am until 4.15 pm by a team of registered nurses and is a private service for students, staff and visitors to attend when injured or feeling unwell.

The Health Centre has beds that can accommodate students who need to recover for a short time before returning to class or going home. The nurses aim to provide a safe environment and offer accurate health information to students, both individually and through a range of targeted health and wellbeing sessions.

Personal care and spirituality

While MLC was Australia's first all girls' school to be founded by the Wesleyan Methodists in 1882, students of all faiths and cultural backgrounds have always been welcomed, resulting in a vibrant College community.

Our Christian heritage set the foundation of inclusion for the wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds represented in among students, staff and the wider community. The College’s Chaplains work to build bridges and foster understanding between all belief systems and see the diversity that each student brings as a gift to our community. MLC Chaplains welcome student leadership in devotions and chapel services. They also support other aspects of College life, including working with students to organise events such as Social Justice Week, Reconciliation Week, Gratitude Week and Harmony Day. The College Chaplain also leads Friday morning ‘Prayers and Pastries’ for students, staff and interested parents.

To ensure that the spiritual wellbeing of every student is supported, the religious education curriculum taught in the classroom is open and inclusive. Students approach spirituality, religion, ethics, and philosophical studies in an explorative and questioning manner.