Individualised Support

The Year 7 program helps students settle into the secondary school environment and provides girls with the skills to cope effectively with a new school structure, and expectations for learning and friendships. The program encourages girls to be courageous, persistent, and to maintain their sense of self in the face of sometimes stressful circumstances.

In Year 8, the Ethics curriculum includes Healthy Minds, a comprehensive world-first prevention program for emotional wellness and resilience. The program focuses on reducing unhealthy perfectionism while building major protective factors, including self-compassion and crucial psychological skills.

Year 8 students are also encouraged to develop their wellbeing through the Mindfulness in Schools program. A specialised team of Girls Grammar practitioners teach specific mindfulness skills to help girls improve their concentration and be present when learning and listening to others. Students continue to develop their mindfulness skills throughout their years at the School.

Year 9 students are encouraged to examine their thoughts and feelings and build on their personal wellbeing strategies. In Semester 2, girls can select their own Ethics program topics, based on areas of personal interest. The bespoke course aims to develop girls’ confidence and sense of agency as they move toward the senior years of secondary schooling.

Year 10 is an important year for girls as they transition to their senior years and gain a new sense of identity and place. Girls are encouraged to look beyond themselves and consider the world around them. The Year 10 Ethics curriculum builds on the School’s Service Program, where students adopt responsibilities and learn the importance of giving back.

In Year 11, girls prepare for leadership in a variety of ways. Students are encouraged to use the psychological tools, self-insights and coping strategies learned in the younger year levels and apply them to becoming a Senior and a role model for younger students.

The final year of secondary schooling is a year of significant transition where the emphasis is on supporting girls through their senior year. In Year 12, the Ethics curriculum is designed by student input, as girls consider their chosen pathways beyond School.

As a leader in the provision of an exemplary broad, liberal education, teachers at Girls Grammar are committed not just to student pedagogy but also understanding girls socially, emotionally and cognitively. Girls Grammar provides opportunities for staff to enhance both their wellbeing and that of their students.

Staff education includes evidence-based knowledge, support and resources, and professional development opportunities—including Mental Health Matters sessions, Mental Health First Aid training, and visiting experts—to assist staff in feeling confident with addressing students’ wellbeing needs to ensure the best learning occurs. Staff are also invited to focus on their own wellbeing and engage in self-care and self-compassion strategies facilitated by our dedicated Floreamus Centre team.