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Noticeable rises in anxiety among schoolchildren has prompted Horizon School in Snells Beach to appoint a wellbeing coach – believed to be the first position of its kind in the country.
Principal Helen Pearson says the new coach, Michelle Diprose, was originally appointed as a regular classroom teacher, but after seeing her at work with a group of 10-year-old boys, who were confident to open up about their feeling and needs, it was decided to offer her the new role.
“When we saw what was happening, we thought this is so valuable we have to invest in it,” Helen says.
Unlike a traditional school counsellor, who will see students who are struggling individually, Michelle works with groups of students to help build emotional strength and resilience, irrespective of whether they are currently experiencing any difficulty in that regard.
Michelle, who is a qualified life coach, says she helps students identify the right words to describe their feelings and needs.
“People often think that there are only three emotions – happy, sad and angry – but when we are able to articulate better how we feel and what we need, we empower ourselves to grow emotionally, and can develop skills to help us monitor and regulate our feelings,” she says.
She adds that the way we feel about ourselves is one of the most significant lenses through which we see the world and others.
“If we can help children make the lens clean and healthy, this can impact their whole lives.”
Michelle says she has come to see the importance of creating “a safe place of belonging” where a child can turn up and feel entirely comfortable about who they are.
“If they know that the environment is safe and nurturing, it is an optimal learning environment for them,” she says.
In addition to self-awareness, Michelle also strives to develop other-awareness in her students, allowing them to become more empathetic and compassionate towards those around them.
Helen says many children at primary school are dealing with the same issues as those at secondary school and it makes sense to tackle the problems early.
“I feel we are preparing children to be future partners and husbands and, in the process, equipping these students with life skills that are invaluable for the inevitable conflicts that come through school and life,” she says.
“A very important part of our role as a school is shaping a certain sort of person who can be whole and healthy.”
Helen says there are numerous theories trying to explain why there appears to be major rise in anxiety among children at school and suspects there may be multiple reasons.
Some have suggested an addiction to technology at a young age and increased stresses in the first three years of life as possible reasons.
