Wellbeing at St Martins

Nurturing wellbeing, belonging, and resilience in every student

At St Martins Lutheran College, we understand that students who have positive wellbeing are more likely to have better mental health as well as improved social, emotional, and academic outcomes. As a Lutheran school, our students learn that God’s love for them is unconditional and freely given, and they are also encouraged to identify and utilise their God-given gifts and abilities.

Our commitment to wellbeing at St Martins is to provide a school environment where students are supported to have a sense of belonging and connection, where we partner with families and the wider community, and where students develop positive and supportive relationships. Through our ongoing implementation of the Berry Street Education Model, we are further strengthening our approach by equipping students with strategies to build resilience, regulate emotions, and engage in learning with confidence. We strive to ensure that our students build skills and strategies to manage difficult times, have opportunities to be successful, and ultimately find purpose, joy, and gratitude in their lives.

Supporting Student Wellbeing with SchoolTV

SchoolTV is a valuable online resource that helps parents and caregivers navigate the challenges of raising happy, resilient young people. With expert advice on topics like mental health, cyber safety and parenting, SchoolTV supports the holistic development of every student at St Martins.

Pastoral Care at St Martins

At St Martins Lutheran College, caring for the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our students is a key consideration. It informs our teaching practice and our approach to educating the whole child, not just from an academic perspective, but also in supporting the development of important social and emotional skills.

Pastoral care is the responsibility of every staff member at St Martins, and our Lutheran faith provides the foundation for all that we do. Our school values, encapsulated by the St Martins Spirit, provide a framework and guide our interactions with and between all members of our school community. At St Martins we aim to provide a welcoming and caring community for students and their families, and to provide an environment where students feel valued and belong.

Our class and home group teachers take primary responsibility for the pastoral care and well-being of our students. They develop positive relationships with students, and provide consistent and reliable support to students and their families. The Head of Wellbeing and Student Wellbeing Directors provide support and direction to teachers and implement activities and curriculum that address the social and emotional needs of our student body. In Reception to Year 6 social and emotional learning takes place throughout the school day and is woven into the way our staff teach, support and guide our students. Pastoral Care lessons each week in Year 7 to Year 12 provide the space for targeted social and emotional learning to occur, and for connection to be made between staff and students.

College Counsellor

The College is supported by a dedicated College Counsellor who provides social and emotional support to students and their families. Working closely with the Directors of Student Wellbeing and Wellbeing Leaders, the Counsellor ensures a collaborative and coordinated approach to student care. This partnership supports continuity of care as students progress through their years at the College.

Wellbeing Centre

The College offers a Wellbeing Centre that provides a supportive space for students experiencing social or emotional challenges during the school day.

Designed as a quiet retreat from the classroom, the Centre is available to all students across the College. Students may also use the Centre to schedule appointments with the College Counsellor or connect with Wellbeing Leaders.

Community

St Martins prides itself on being a community
focused on grace, God’s undeserved favour. The
College prides itself on building connection and
relationships between staff, students, families
and the broader community.

Resilience

Students at St Martins are supported in
developing personal skills and values that will
contribute to resilient and robust identities. We
work with families and students to develop young
adults who have courage, integrity and the ability
to manage an ever-changing future.

Inclusion

St Martins is a welcoming community that
values every single individual. We build
relationships with each young person and meet
their needs with compassion and respect. We
encourage student voice as a key part of shaping
their school and educational experience. Every
student is encouraged to embrace the many
different opportunities available to them.

Flourishing

Students are encouraged to develop skills, values
and a mindset that will see them flourish now and
as they move into their adult life. They thrive on
challenge, persist in overcoming obstacles, look
upon their world with optimism, show joy and
gratitude towards others. They are self-motivated
and regulate themselves to get the best out of
their God-given abilities.