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All Saints’ College is delighted to announce that we are welcoming our first PhD Intern, Stella McLaughlin, who joins us as part of her doctoral studies in Psychology at Curtin University. Stella’s PhD thesis, ‘Transitioning out of high school: Understanding risk and protective factors associated with mental health and wellbeing’, aligns closely with ASC’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the whole student – academically, socially and emotionally.

This internship is supported by The Beyond Boundaries Institute (BBI) through Curtin Industry Exchange and will see Stella working with ASC two days a week across 60 days in total, concluding her project by the start of Term 1, 2026.

Stella’s project, Audit of Social Emotional Learning Programs and Student Wellness, is a collaborative initiative between All Saints’ College and the BBI. It aims to create a clearer, more connected understanding of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs delivered across the College and to map student wellness data to help inform meaningful, proactive support for students.

L-R: Shannon Armitage (Director of Senior School [Teaching and Learning]), Stella McLaughlin, Cameron Thorn (Director of The Beyond Boundaries Institute).

At ASC, SEL is woven into our educational framework with the goal of fostering students’ self-awareness, emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. SEL is vital in supporting our young people’s growth alongside their academic learning, equipping them to navigate life’s complexities with resilience and empathy.

“At All Saints’ College, we’re committed to ensuring our Social Emotional Learning programs genuinely reflect the developmental needs of our students at every stage,” said Jeanette Sealy, Director of Senior School (Student Wellbeing).

“We want every student to feel seen, heard and supported, not just academically, but as a whole person. Through our partnership with Stella and BBI, we’re working to create a clear scope and sequence for SEL that builds year by year, ensuring each program is age-appropriate, purposeful and connected. This will help us strengthen what’s already working and introduce new approaches that support every child’s growth, wellbeing and readiness for life beyond school,” added Jeanette.

However, like many schools, knowledge of specific SEL initiatives often sits within different teams or departments. The aim of Stella’s audit is to help consolidate this information, providing educators with a centralised overview of all SEL programs currently in place. This holistic review will identify gaps, highlight strengths and uncover opportunities to enhance ASC’s approach to supporting student wellbeing.

The project is structured in three stages:

Deliverable 1 will see Stella produce a literature review on Social Emotional Learning in co-educational, independent Kindergarten – Year 12 settings. This review will explore areas such as program sequencing, effectiveness, resourcing, community support and impact. It will serve as a valuable resource for staff professional learning and future planning. Following this, Stella will undertake an internal review of how ASC defines and implements SEL, which will include interviews with key staff and students, and an analysis of programs and service providers engaged across the College.

Deliverable 2 focuses on reviewing student wellness data – such as Pulse survey findings – alongside the SEL audit and exploring the ways in which it can be used to assist in reaching the wellbeing goals of the College. By aligning this data with the school calendar, the project aims to identify trends and pinpoint times of heightened stress for students. This will help ASC proactively target support when it is needed most. Stella will work closely with staff to analyse this data and may compare ASC’s findings with broader wellbeing trends.

Deliverable 3 will culminate in a final report providing insights and recommendations for strengthening ASC’s SEL programs and student wellbeing initiatives. This report will include an internal component for College use and a public-facing summary to contribute to the wider conversation about effective SEL delivery in K–12 schools.

“Partnering with Stella and BBI is a meaningful step forward for our community,” said Jeanette.

“It gives us the tools to truly listen to our students, understand what’s working well for them and what’s not so we can respond in ways that make a real difference. When we understand their experiences, we can create a school environment where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to thrive. That’s something every parent wants for their child and it’s at the heart of what we’re building together.”

We are excited to partner with Stella and BBI on this important project and look forward to the valuable insights her work will bring to our community.

Curtin Industry Exchange connects doctoral candidates with industry partners for 60-day research internship placements focused on solving real-world challenges. Supported by the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer initiative, the program spans multiple sectors and ensures tangible outcomes, such as a research output or minimum viable product. Interns gain hands-on experience and access to research networks, while host organisations benefit from innovative insights and early access to Curtin’s top emerging talent.