St Stephen's School

Workplace Profile

St Stephen’s School is a co-educational school located in the Perth metropolitan area. The School caters from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 and employs over 340 teaching and non-teaching staff spread over two campuses at three sites (Carramar, Duncraig and Padbury). The School's mission, Serve God, Serve One Another, is underpinned by five key values – faith, learning, service, care and community. Supporting the health and wellbeing of the School’s staff is an important way to ensure that each staff member feels respected and valued.

Health and Wellbeing Profile

St Stephen’s Schools' health and wellbeing program has been running since 2013 and is coordinated by the Legal, Safety and Health Coordinator and supported by the Manager – People & Culture and Principal. 

Planning

After gaining senior leadership support, the School appointed a dedicated Program Coordinator to oversee health and wellbeing activities. The Program Coordinator completed the HWWA Coordinator Training, recruited a Safety and Wellbeing Committee and undertook staff consultation before developing an action plan, which outlines health and wellbeing policies, strategies and a wellness calendar of events for the school year.

"The Program started with a calendar of wellness activities and a three-day staff expo, with one day dedicated to wellness activities," says the School's Health and Wellbeing Coordinator. 

Health and Wellbeing Program Activities

St Stephen’s School’s Health and Wellbeing Program includes the following activities and initiatives:  

• A dedicated Health and Wellbeing Program Coordinator and implemented Action Plan
• Smoke-free policy with no designated smoking areas and support for staff to quit or cut down
• An online portal for staff to access care and wellbeing policy and guidelines, including a range of services and resources regarding smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity and exchanging healthy recipes
• Access to the School’s sport and fitness facilities with a range of before and after school activities such as yoga, circuit training and boxing
• A Staff Wellness Day and annual Staff Expo featuring wellness activities such as cooking classes, yoga, boxing, men’s and women’s health seminar
• Provision of end of trip facilities including showers and bike racks to promote active commute to and from work
• Sit-stand workstations, shared standing desks and ‘walk n talk’ meetings to encourage staff to be less sedentary throughout the day
• Monthly staff health and wellbeing newsletter and an “Employee Above and Beyond” award presentation each term
• Healthy food options available in the canteen, corporate catering and fruit bowls
• Free influenza vaccinations and hearing checks and subsidised body Scans and gym memberships from corporate partners
• Access to the School’s Care Team including psychologists, nurses, mental health first aiders, pastoral care staff and the Employee Assistance Program
• Whole school and campus worships and devotions to promote spiritual wellbeing and shared lunches in the School ‘Houses’

In addition, evaluation of the program activities is carried out with staff to direct future planning of the health and wellbeing program.