The Quærite Wellbeing Program

Our students’ wellbeing is at the heart of all our activities at Shelford Girls’ Grammar The Quærite Wellbeing Program is a personal development program operating throughout the whole school. ‘Quærite’ is Latin, drawn from the school’s motto, and means ‘seek’. The program develops skills, knowledge, attitudes and understandings which enable students to value and lead healthy lives as contributing members of society.

Students in Years 7 and 8 experience much change in their lives. The Quærite Wellbeing Program supports students through these changes by offering meaningful, as-needed, structured and safe opportunities to seek an understanding of oneself, the dynamics of community and the importance of respectful relationships. Through a variety of themes, the school seeks to nurture the physical, social and emotional development of each student. Divided into four themes across the year, the program is sequential from Year 7 to 8 but flexible to meet the needs of students as they develop. The Program compliments and enhances the efforts made by families and community groups to support young people.

Each theme comprises activities and opportunities for reflection run by Wellbeing Mentors, school psychologists, teaching staff and guest speakers. The Peer Support Program, peer teaching projects, role plays, physical learning experiences, guest speakers, excursions and incursions are some of the activities that help engage students’ wellbeing, participation and learning for personal development

Year 7 Themes

• Connection in Community

• Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

• Thrive

• Cyber Safety

Year 8 Themes

• One Year Wiser

• Self and Others

• Connections

• Integrity

Year 7 Camp

Year 7 students attend a three-day program at Camp Marysville, Marysville. The primary focus of this camp is to provide further opportunities for students to consolidate friendships. This camp provides new challenges, experiences and team building opportunities in a stimulating environment. Some of the activities include abseiling, canoeing, cycling, a bushwalk, bush tucker cooking, the famous Year 7 Camp Disco, and team building activities. The activities provide foundation for subsequent outdoor education experiences.

Year 8 Camp

Year 8 students take part in a three-day program at Eildon’s Camp Jungai. During this camp, students are involved in a range of activities that provide new challenges and develop their skills in leadership, teamwork, communication and resilience. These activities include Trangia cooking, a ropes courses, a leap of faith challenge, skills initiatives activities, solo time for reflection and mindfulness, navigation skills and practise and bushwalking. This camp introduces students to camping skills which they will need for their Year 9 camp experience.