2005 VOEA State Conference

Friday 27 - Saturday 28 May
Geelong Conference Centre
Essential Learning for Student Wellbeing

The 2005 VOEA State Conference attracted over 170 delegates and provided more than 28 workshops and keynote sessions.

Click here for a Conference Program
Conference Proceedings were mailed out to VOEA members in October 2005. For a copy contact the office.

What is wellbeing?
Student wellbeing is critical if we are to achieve the global aim of educating young people to become active and responsible citizens (Lowell & Gallop in Lewis, 2004, p.26).

Student learning and wellbeing are intrinsically linked (DE&T, Schools Reference Guide, Section 3.10) and have a strong connection with the social competence of students.

In preparation for our Conference in May 2005 the following thoughts on wellbeing (and attached papers) may contribute to a discussion about how Outdoor Education may contribute to student wellbeing.

All of these quotes come from the ACER Research Conference Proceedings 2005. [PDF 2.23MB]

Wellbeing is...
"feeling happy and safe, being yourself and being able to take part in decision making"
(in Marshall, p,66)

"the capacity to adapt to, respond to or control life's challenges and changes"
(in Marshall, p,66)

"feeling comfortable and confident about yourself as a person on many different levels, including spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social ways of being"
(in Marshall, p,67)

There are multiple aspects to wellbeing including social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual elements these aspects work together as part of a balanced whole.A well-rounded individual will be growing/developing on all these fronts. [paraphrase]
(Masters, p.)

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