The PLC Lighthouse is integral to the School’s universal approach to wellbeing, providing an anchor for students, staff and the PLC community to learn, experience and practise scientifically-based wellbeing pathways.

The Space

The building has been custom built and designed, providing contemporary and flexible spaces for a range of purposes including:

– Meditation room
– Recharge room
– Creativity and expressive arts room
– Workshop spaces
– Alternative learning areas
– Movement room
– Circuit room
– Cardio room
– Consultation rooms for allied health professionals
– Dedicated nutrition area
– Multipurpose room tailored for 0-5-year-olds

– Modern change rooms

Take a Look Inside the PLC Lighthouse

What the Research Tells Us

As a society, we are searching for methods to support the needs of a generation that is experiencing high levels of mental illness (Chodkiewicz & Boyle, 2017). Yet, separate mechanisms and approaches are required for promoting mental health, rather than purely responding to and treating mental illness.

When we cultivate wellbeing, research suggests a number of positive outcomes, both socially and emotionally, as well as in relation to performance and productivity.

Research has found that school-based social and emotional learning is associated with improved social and emotional skills, behaviour and academic achievement (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011).

Furthermore, within a recent study of 287 Australian schools, the highest academic scores occurred when mental health promotion was included in a school’s priorities (Allen, Kern, Vella-Brodrick, & Waters, 2017). Given this, approaching wellbeing in schools isn’t a competing agenda, but rather, supports the infrastructure to enable students to function at their best and flourish.