What are High Impact Strategies? 

Wellbeing is the capabilities necessary to thrive, contribute and respond positively to the challenges and opportunities of life (FISO 2.0). It describes a person’s optimal experience, physical health and psychological functioning, and involves factors like positive emotions, life satisfaction and mental flexibility. 

The High Impact Wellbeing Strategies (HIWS) have been developed to support classroom teachers to promote student wellbeing. The strategies can be used by every teacher in every classroom and by teams of teachers collaborating to improve student wellbeing. The HIWS should be implemented as part of a whole of school approach to promoting student wellbeing. 

The HIWS are most effective when they are integrated with other mental health and wellbeing initiatives including provision of social and emotional learning, the Health and Physical Education curriculum and the Personal and Social Capabilities. Introduction The Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0) places wellbeing alongside learning as a fundamental student outcome of education. 

What are the High Impact Wellbeing Strategies? 

Developed in partnership with Monash University, the HIWS are 7 practical, evidence-based strategies that have demonstrated a significant and positive effect on student wellbeing. The HIWS empower teachers with the knowledge and skills to be active agents in building their students’ wellbeing as part of their practice. An overview of each HIWS is provided on page 8. Wellbeing is complex and influenced by many factors, including school-level factors. Teachers can play an important role in advancing wellbeing by providing wellbeing education programs, and via use of instructional and relational practices and positive role-modelling. The HIWS are most effective when implemented in a way that promotes positive peer relationships, student voice, agency and leadership, and student engagement in learning. (For further guidance see: ‘Amplify’ student voice practice guide and the High Impact Teaching Strategies.) 

Each strategy in the HIWS can be used in an integrated way to promote student wellbeing. Teachers can use multiple strategies simultaneously to meet the needs of their students. As teachers engage with the HIWS through practice, reflection, shared observation, collaboration and feedback, they will positively impact student wellbeing. Attendance is foundational and key to the success of the HIWS as students cannot gain the full benefits of school if they do not attend. Student wellbeing at school, including having positive relationships with teachers and engagement, is related to improved student attendance. Using the HIWS is likely to improve attendance outcomes and the HIWS complement the Schools’ guide to attendance. The HIWS complement many of the mental health and wellbeing supports schools already have in place to help students meet their potential. 

They build on existing wellbeing approaches such as wellbeing check-ins, School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Respectful Relationships education and policies. For more information, see the Map of mental health and wellbeing support (Figure 1). The HIWS support the work of wellbeing teams and other professionals in schools, such as Mental Health Practitioners and Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders. They help schools create safe and inclusive environments where students can achieve improved learning outcomes..