U Matter – Building Positive Relationships
U Matter-Mentoring
The concepts of academic resilience and adaptability are key factors to supporting students’ engagement and realising their academic potential. Wellbeing and Learning are co-dependent. This year, St Clair High School has adopted the whole school wellbeing program U Matter – Building positive relationships as part of our commitment to student welfare and improving outcomes for all our students.
The U Matter Mentor Program is the foundation of St Clair High School’s approach to student wellbeing. It involves all students being designated to a mentor teacher for the duration of their secondary schooling. Mentors meet with students every day during homeroom and once a week for a pastoral care mentoring session.
Students work with their mentor on aspects of education: involving setting learning goals, resilience, time management, decision making as well as mental health issues and personal wellbeing.
This outstanding student focused wellbeing program underpins the school welfare matrix structure at SCHS. This program has been established and accepted because of an identified need to help all students engage in their learning so that they are able to ‘connect, succeed and thrive’ (DoE Wellbeing Framework).
Through building positive relationships with their mentors, all students at St Clair High School have the opportunity to be ‘known, valued and cared for’ (DoE Strategic Direction). We also know that high performing schools are ones where students have a strong connection to the school and this program aims to foster this connection by providing a significant adult at the school that students are mentored by throughout their schooling.
U Matter / Assembly occurs once a week:
- U Matter occurs period 3 on Wednesday.
- School and Year Assemblies will occur periodically.
- Homeroom occurs daily. Warning Bell 8.25am.
- Homeroom commences 8.30am
U Matter-Homeroom
Home room is an important part of the U Matter Mentor Program. Homeroom is a 10-minute session every morning to support students in their readiness for the school day. Students meet with their mentors, the role is marked, students listen to the daily notices and discuss issues relevant to the school day and their engagement in learning. It also gives mentors the opportunity to provide support if necessary, with Homework, assessment work etc. Homeroom is a supportive, proactive learning environment specifically designed to promote every students positive engagement in the SCHS learning community.