Boost for student wellbeing in Queensland schools

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

All Queensland schools will benefit from a $35.8 million Commonwealth Student Wellbeing Boost for mental health and wellbeing projects.

Commonwealth Minister for Education Jason Clare and Queensland’s Minister for Education Grace Grace today visited Kelvin Grove State College to announce the funding. 

Kelvin Grove will receive $50,000, which will provide two key enhancements to the college’s strong existing student wellbeing program.

$10,000 will support the college’s junior school in implementing the Grow Your Mind program, an Australian-developed and evidence-based social and emotional wellbeing program.

$40,000 will be invested in the middle and senior school’s Student Wellbeing Centre.

The Student Wellbeing Boost is a Commonwealth election commitment to provide one-off funding to schools to support their students’ mental health and wellbeing.

Queensland’s 1,797 individual schools will decide how best to use the Student Wellbeing Boost to support their students.

The Palaszczuk Government worked closely with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and Independent Schools Queensland to develop the model for allocating Student Wellbeing Boost funding across all Queensland schools.

In addition to the Student Wellbeing Boost, all Education Ministers have agreed to support the Commonwealth’s five-year $307.18 million Federation Funding Agreement to deliver the National Student Wellbeing Program.

Queensland schools will receive $91.75 million under this program.

The O’Brien Review into the next National School Reform Agreement has made the point that students with good social and emotional wellbeing are more engaged with learning and tend to have higher levels of academic achievement and attainment.

Quotes attributable to Commonwealth Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP:

“Good mental health and wellbeing have a significant impact on young people’s engagement with education and their learning outcomes.

“That’s why we are boosting funding to support the wellbeing of students in Queensland and right across the country.

“Because if you're feeling better, then you'll perform better at school.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Education, the Hon Grace Grace MP:

“School can be a wonderful time in the lives of our students, but it can have its challenges too – particularly when it comes to mental health.

“Schools right across Queensland will welcome this extra funding, and I want to thank the Commonwealth Government for their investment.

“It complements the Palaszczuk Government’s nation leading $106 million Student Wellbeing Package, which is putting GPs, psychologists, and other wellbeing professionals in students right across the state – including a psychologist here at Kelvin Grove State College.

“In 2024, every single state school student will have access to free, private, appointments at school.

“It’s making a real different to our students’ mental health, and it’s great cost of living relief too.”

Quotes attributable to Kelvin Grove State College Executive Principal Joel Buchholz:

“Kelvin Grove State College certainly puts wellbeing at the centre of everything we do as one of the central values of our school community.

“We recognise that for students to be in an optimal place for learning, we need proactive and holistic support and that is why, as a College, we invest heavily in initiatives and programs to support student health and wellbeing.

“We welcome this further funding which will help us enhance skills to support mental health and wellbeing in younger students and also enhance our facilities where all students and families can confidentially access our wide range of wellbeing support staff and resources, from one central physical hub.”

Quotes attributable to Kelvin Grove State College student captain Cassidy Pole:

“The KGSC Wellbeing Centre is a sanctuary for students to receive guidance, support, and strength.

“The focus on well-being at school creates an atmosphere of openness and encouragement, whereby students feel safe and comfortable to seek help if need be.

“Beyond just the Wellbeing Centre, the culture of well-being at Kelvin Grove is fostered through the unwavering support from staff and the unity and camaraderie of students. At Kelvin Grove, students feel valued, encouraged, safe, and inspired to be their best selves.

“When well-being becomes a priority in education, students develop resilience to face adversity, empowering them to excel both in the classroom and outside of it.”

ENDS

Media Contact:         Nick Trainor (Minister Clare) – 0417 143 962

                                    Kate Talbot (Minister Grace) – 0439 803 211