![VITAL STUDY: [from left] Bonnie Wright, Noah Adamson, Aidan Ward, Martin Hughes [Skillset Senior College head of research and development], Joubert Du Plessis and Chris Harris [head teacher]. Photo: SAM BOLT](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xry9xtRQu9u36zRV2j5976/c1205276-f03e-4f3c-9ab5-48c90c071075.JPG/r0_430_4608_3021_w576_h298_fmax.webp "VITAL STUDY: [from left] Bonnie Wright, Noah Adamson, Aidan Ward, Martin Hughes [Skillset Senior College head of research and development], Joubert Du Plessis and Chris Harris [head teacher]. Photo: SAM BOLT")
Bathurst's Skillset Senior College [SSC] is all set to undertake a landmark two-year study on student wellbeing.
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The college received a $130,000 School Based Research Project grant from the Association of Independent Schools NSW [AISNSW] last month to identify effective management strategies for student mental health.
SSC head of research and development Dr Martin Hughes said adolescents with mental health issues are more likely to engage in negative coping strategies such as substance abuse and violence.
"The primary aim of this project will be to implement, measure, and assess three strategies - exercise, resilience training and occupational therapy - with the school's young people," Dr Hughes said.
"It's imperative that young people are given more tools and have access to positive coping strategies, especially in a school setting."
"We also aim to build confidence in our staff's ability to conduct and run a robust scientific project."
SSC works with students from Years 10 to 12 in an adult learning environment to provide a holistic school experience.
Director Craig Randazzo said most of the school's 73 students have been unable to find success in previous educational settings due to personal and societal challenges.
"As a school with high staff to student ratios, we are uniquely placed to examine the best interventions that lead to increased student wellbeing and share our findings to help inform all school sectors," Mr Randazzo said.
A recent independent survey revealed that 72 per cent of SSC students would have withdrawn from secondary education if they hadn't enrolled at the college.
SSC head of college Abbey Barrett said the school provides a positive and inspiring learning environment for students who are often in the process of dealing with significant mental health or life challenges.
"We also pay particular attention to the wellbeing of teachers and support staff who become trusted advisers and role models for students," Ms Barrett said.
"The key goal of our staff is to show students the opportunities that life-changing education can deliver."
The study will run until December 2021.
