Empowering Well-being: Collective Leisure’s Transformative Program at Bankstown Senior College
BSC students graduating from the program.
Over the past three weeks, Collective Leisure had the privilege of delivering six sessions of engaging, impactful learning at Bankstown Senior College (BSC) on everything well-being to students in English for Study (EFS) . Our co-founders, David and Jennifer, led this transformative program, marking our sixth year working with the college.
BSC offers secondary education to students from diverse backgrounds, including new arrivals, refugees, re-entry students, and individuals who’ve faced challenges engaging with traditional education systems.
This program is designed to guide students through an experiential learning of our Wheel of Well-being. This model is a holistic approach to personal well-being, encompassing explorations into Purpose, Emotional, Nourishment, Relationships, Environment, Financial, Spiritual, Physical, Growth, and the Power of Habits. This hands-on, holistic approach equips students with the tools they need to thrive in all aspects of life.
Our WISE connection with BSC
As a Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE), we help young people transition into the workforce, particularly in the sports and leisure industry. Bankstown Senior College is one of our valued referral partners, and each year, we are excited to bring back former BSC students as role models for the current cohort. This year, we were thrilled to welcome Orshina Yalda, a former BSC student who now holds a Cert IV in Fitness and works as a sports coach and fitness instructor. Orshina’s involvement provided an inspiring, real-world example of success for the students to follow.
Providing students new engaging experiences
The students participating in the program this year were mainly refugees that have been in the country for no more than 2 years. For many of them, this program offers a unique opportunity to learn about self-care and well-being—concepts that may not have been part of their education in their home countries. Our goal is to empower these young people, aged 18-23, by expanding their understanding of well-being and teaching them how to improve these areas of their lives.
Every year the program is updated to including new content and different interactive and experiential ways of learning. This year in particular, the program was adapted to the language level of EFS students.
Creating Meaningful Change
One of the most rewarding aspects of this program is having students, especially those that were quieter or not as engaged, approach us at the end expressing their deep gratitude for what they have learnt. As well as past students coming to say hello and sharing with us what they remember from the program. Over the three-week period, we are continuously encouraging the students to share and interact, and we observe a noticeable increase in their receptivity as they begin to trust us more, open up, and make positive changes based on their newfound understanding of well-being.
The program includes a variety of activities connected to the content such as meditation practices, movement, listening and confidence-building games, and opportunities for students to share their experiences. These activities foster self-awareness, build a sense of community, and empower students to make meaningful changes in their lives.
Building a Well-being Culture at Bankstown Senior College
At Collective Leisure, we recognise that well-being is a top priority for educational institutions, alongside social connection and academic outcomes. Our program contributes to developing a well-being culture at BSC, helping to create a supportive, inclusive, and healthy environment for students. By guiding students in understanding and caring for their well-being, we aim to foster a culture of health that extends beyond the program’s conclusion.
Program Objectives:
Enable students to flourish and fulfill their potential.
Develop an understanding of well-being and the capacity for self-care.
Support the creation of a well-being culture within the school.
Expand the perspective of students and what they see as possible for themselves
Special Thanks to Maria Pascalis (EAL/D Teacher and Refugee Contact Officer) for continuing to see the value of this program for Bankstown students.