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At SEDA College WA, supporting young people extends beyond developing their sporting and hands on learning talents. Throughout this year, the Student Connect Team comprised of Georgia Treloar, Robyn Cardy, and Liz McGrath set out a clear plan for community engagement, connecting students with leading community organisations to provide education and support in the areas of respectful relationships, body image, health and wellbeing, and safe decision-making.

Developing relationships with community organizations has helped equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead happy, healthy and successful lives both in the classroom and in real life.

In June, the Year 12 Netball and Year 11 Rugby classes participated in workshops delivered by Sexual Health Quarters. These engaging sessions focused on respectful relationships, consent, communication, personal boundaries and sexual health. Students were encouraged to explore what healthy relationships look like and develop a greater understanding of mutual respect and informed decision-making. The workshops provided a safe environment for students to ask questions, challenge misconceptions and build confidence in navigating relationships as young adults.

In August, the Year 11 Basketball, Netball and West Coast Eagles Football classes took part in sessions presented by the Butterfly Foundation. The workshops focused on positive body image, mental health and overall wellbeing, addressing the pressures young people can experience through sport, social media and everyday life. Students explored strategies to build resilience, improve self-esteem and develop healthy habits that support both their sporting performance and personal wellbeing.

The Year 12 Soccer, Netball, Basketball and Cricket students, alongside the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers Football classes, participated in SEDA’s first in-house P.A.R.T.Y Program in September. This program is an immersive and interactive injury prevention outreach program delivered by the Royal Perth Hospital team. Through real-life scenarios and firsthand stories, trauma nurses, surgeons, paramedics, occupational therapists and physiotherapists demonstrated the consequences of alcohol misuse and high-risk behaviours. Students gained insight into what happens following a traumatic incident, from emergency response and treatment through to rehabilitation and recovery.

Steve Blair, Student Connect Manager, discussed the impact of the programs on the students.

“The benefit to the students of this program is the real, practical learning the students gain from evidence-based professionals,” said Mr Blair. “We have a lot of knowledge ourselves in the Student Connect Team, but these sessions are coming straight from the source.”

“These sessions being delivered by organisations like the Butterfly Foundation and Sexual Health Quarters have a lot of value because if the students need to access those resources one day, they already know who to go to,” added Mr Blair.

These initiatives reflect SEDA College WA’s commitment to developing well-rounded young people. By building relationships with community agencies and industry professionals, SEDA provides students with meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Through education, awareness and support, students develop the confidence, resilience and decision-making skills necessary to change lives and thrive in all aspects of life.