Social and Emotional skills are essential in enabling students to understand themselves and others, and manage their relationships, lives, work and learning more effectively. These skills involve students learning to recognise and regulate emotions, develop empathy for others and understand relationships, establish and build a framework for positive relationships, work effectively in teams and develop leadership skills, and handle challenging situations constructively.

At Damascus College we are working with students to develop these skills to assist them in improving wellbeing and student outcomes. They are intended to provide feedback on strengths and opportunities for growth. As we navigate a complex world the acquisition of these skills are critical.

Further to this on Tuesday March 29, during the TA period students will be undertaking a Social Emotional Well Being Survey. Please see more information on that below:-

All students at the College will be completing the ACER Social- Emotional Wellbeing Survey (SEW) during their TA Period.

Students respond to a series of statements confidentially indicating their level of agreement on a four-point Likert scale by choosing one of four alternatives: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree.

The Secondary survey form also includes an additional set of questions that ask students to make judgements about aspects of their school, home and community that influence their emotional wellbeing, relationships with others and school achievement (e.g. 'I have a teacher who cares about me').

The online survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete, and students are asked to ensure that they have their device charged.

Areas reported:

• Overall SEW
• Feelings & Behaviours
• Positive
• Negative
• Internal Strengths
• Social Skills
• Emotional Skills
• Learning Skills
• Values
• External Strengths
• Home
• School
• Community

The data from this survey will be instrumental in identifying and informing future student wellbeing programs and best practice targeting the specific needs of students moving forward.

The Wellbeing Team will then in turn report the findings of the survey back to the school community including staff, parents and carers.

If you have any questions and or concerns around this please contact Dan Jans or Hannah Keating, TA and Senior Student Wellbeing Project Leaders, at the College on 5337 2222.