Wellbeing is a core aspect of Discovery College’s holistic education, thus enabling everyone to be the best they can be. As a foundational Visible Wellbeing School and under the guidance of Professor Lea Waters, Discovery College is equipping and enabling students to ‘flourish’ in all areas of their lives through the six pathways to wellbeing: Strengths, Emotional Management, Attention and Awareness, Relationships, Coping, and Habits & Goals.
Using the Visible Wellbeing Framework, the development of student wellbeing is fostered across the College through a considered and aligned programme. All students from Year 1 to Year 13 are involved in a comprehensive wellbeing programme delivered by classroom teachers, Learning Advisors and outside providers.
Primary
The Primary Years Programme prepares students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others.
Curriculum opportunities, whereby the Physical, Social, Emotional and Health Education (PSEHE) curriculum is embedded into Units of Inquiry, allow children to develop greater awareness, understanding and practices related to their own, and others’, wellbeing.
In addition, a range of teaching practices and programmes are used in Primary to support and develop well being across the six pathways, such as:
- Restorative Practice
- Circle Time
- Peace Talks
- Responsive Classrooms
- Friends Programme
- Student Counselling
- Explicit teaching of social & emotional skills
Secondary
The DC Secondary Wellbeing Programme is a specific and planned means of helping students to value themselves and others, and to provide the tools to assist them to contribute to the world around them.
Curriculum coverage
There is dedicated learning team time of 10 minutes each morning and one teaching block per week.
All students are in one of five house-based learning teams in their year group through which the programme is delivered by the Learning Advisor and Dean. It is a planned and responsive spiral curriculum that the Deans co-construct with Learning Advisors, Vice Principals and student voice.
Student support is integral to the College’s values and principles in that we are individually and collectively responsible, in partnership with the family, for the wellbeing of every student. We recognise that the family is the primary caregiver and holds the responsibility for the wellbeing of the child. In light of this, we seek to support and work collaboratively with the family to enhance wellbeing in a thoughtful and appropriate manner. Parents and students are encouraged to talk with any member of the staff if they have concerns.
We provide a coordinated structure of care for every child to ensure they are effectively supported by a network of staff. By talking about issues at the early stages with the class teacher or Learning Advisor, or trusted adults at school, many situations and issues can be alleviated and solutions found quickly. When necessary, there may be more targeted intervention by different professionals within the school community such as the Student Counsellor or Social Worker (see below), Higher Education Counsellor (see HEO), Classroom Teacher, LDT teacher, EA, Secondary Dean, Primary Team Leader, VP and so forth.
Student Counsellor
At Discovery College there are two Student Counsellors available, both of whom are trained teachers and counsellors. Ms Zara Pugh is available predominantly for the secondary students and their families and can be located on the 4/F as part of the DC Guidance Centre. Ms Jordana Velasco is available predominantly for the primary students and their families and her office is located on the LG/F.
The Student Counsellors, along with the HK government-funded Social Workers, operate as a close team providing student support across the school community. Students can access the counselling service through self-referrals (i.e. emailing the counsellors directly, filling out an appointment slip, or visiting the counsellors in person). Parents can access the service for their children, or seek support for their parenting, by phone or by requesting an appointment with either Zara or Jordana. At times a teacher may refer a student to counselling due to an ongoing issue that has not been resolved through other avenues.
The Student Counsellors work in a range of different ways including providing therapeutic counselling, skills building, advocacy work, group process and in-class support through class conferences. They work with a wide range of issues such as self-esteem, depression, anxiety, self-harm, abuse, eating disorders, family relationship issues, suicide ideation, anger, boundaries, and parenting challenges. Both counsellors operate in a wider network of Hong Kong professionals and are able to refer individuals and their families to wider support and help if needed or requested.
Meet our Student Councellors
Jordana Velasco, Primary Student Counsellor, jordy.velascovega@dc.edu.hk
Zara Pugh, Secondary Student Counsellor, zara.pugh@dc.edu.hk
Social worker
Ellie Fong and Kyo Wong are Discovery College’s HK government-funded Secondary School Social Workers. Ellie and Kyo work closely with the Student Counsellors and teachers to facilitate group work and workshops to alleviate factors that may be interfering with a student’s learning. Both work with individuals and groups around issues such as resilience, self-esteem, and social skills, and are available through self-referrals, teacher referrals, and parent referrals. The service may involve long or short-term intervention plans according to the student’s needs, together with social and emotional factors. Ellie and Kyo also liaise with other agencies to develop programmes to increase the range of support available.
Meet our Social Workers
Kyo Wong, Social Worker, kyo.wong@dc.edu.hk
Ellie Fong, Social Worker, ellie.fong@dc.edu.hk
Would you like to connect with us?
Primary parents you can contact Jordana directly.
Secondary parents, you can either email us directly, or fill in our confidential referral form.
Secondary Referral Form
