Wellbeing

Wellbeing Staff

We support our students through an extensive and integrated student wellbeing and engagement program that:

• Promotes the safety and protection of every child
• Uses the Berry Street Education model for trauma-informed practice.
• Fosters inclusion
• Encourages attendance
• Cultivates the understanding and practice of the college values, student code of practice and student behaviour policy
• Promotes engagement with learning and participation in all aspects of school life
• Meets and caters for individual needs
• Develops character strengths
• Builds leadership capacity
• Builds resilience
• Provides health and wellbeing education
• Includes access to a range of counselling and allied health services
• Seeks and honours student voice

Our Approach to Wellbeing

At Fountain Gate Secondary College, we have five practices that underpin our work in student wellbeing:

• Student-centred
• Strengths-based
• Prevention-focused
• Evidence-informed best practice and continuous quality evaluation
• Early intervention

Positive Education

Positive Education is an applied science that weaves the research from Positive Psychology and wellbeing science into schools. It’s based on the premise that what we do matters. Positive Education teaches young people the skills they need to support and manage their mental health and wellbeing, assisting them to make a successful transition into and to maintain a healthy adult lifestyle.

It looks at building wellbeing capabilities among young people, so they have the skills and strategies for resilience and to cope with the challenges they face, but also focuses on giving them the capacity to realise their potential.

Our positive education model uses the School’s Values and Students' Character Strengths to support students to grow as well-rounded students who are resilient, reflective and strive to achieve their best. Positive education is taught through the Thrive Program and is also embedded into the school's Positive Behaviour Expectations matrix. 

Positive Education Shop

Positive House points accumulate throughout the year, which are converted into Positive Education Shop points that students can cash in at the shop for items. The Shop is located in the engagement hub and is open once a week. 

Child Safety

At Fountain Gate Secondary College, we believe that all children have the right to feel safe as well as be safe and protected. Our school has policies, procedures and practices to keep children safe. If you would like to know more or provide feedback relating to these policies and practices, please contact the school via the wellbeing email.

Further information about Child Safe Standards is available from the Department of Education.

Breakfast Club

Research shows that a child's ability to concentrate in class, self-regulate and learn is negatively impacted if they are hungry. That's why at Fountain Gate Secondary College, we have a breakfast club open to all students once a week before school begins. Everyday students can also get food from the library or the wellbeing centre. This initiative is sponsored and supported by Eat UP and Food Bank. 

Doctors in Secondary Schools

Fountain Gate Secondary College is one of many secondary schools in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs providing Doctors in Secondary Schools (DiSS) program to their students.  

Each Tuesday during the school term, we have a Nurse and Doctor from Headspace Youth Health Clinic available to assist with information and/or advice about any health issues, including:

• Physical health and wellbeing
• Body image
• Healthy eating and exercise
• Sexual health including contraception, STIs, pregnancy testing
• Gender and sexuality/LGBTIQ+
• Drug or alcohol use
• Relationships issues
• Feeling scared, worried, upset, or down

This is a free service available to FGSC students, with consultations being bulk billed through Medicare.

Appointments

To make a booking, please see Kerry (Wellbeing Coordinator) in the Wellbeing Centre.

Important Information for Students and Parents/Carers