Mr. Mark McDonald:

The Senator made a point on preventative measures and said she has seen these when she goes into schools. These are becoming the central issue in schools in regard to well-being and mindfulness. The Senator also mentioned restorative practice. Having been a principal of a school that dealt with restorative practice, it is all about relationships and how we relate to each other. Teachers will say it is also about how they relate to their partners and children when they go home. It extends into all part of school life and life in general, and that is very beneficial.

The student voice, especially in the past couple of years, is very much being pushed in schools and is taking on great momentum.

We have curricular supports for well-being but extracurricular ones also. We mostly have well-being committees which are run by students and now many schools have a post of responsibility around well-being co-ordinators. As Mr. Curtis said, mindfulness does not just concern students but teachers and leaders also.

There is a huge amount being done and I have only given a whistle-stop tour of them. While I do not wish to finish on a negative note, support has to given around this. Without these developments, what would be the position? Thankfully, we have them and the area of well-being and supports for young people is a great passion among educators.