The aim of the Open Parachute Foundation is to make evidence based mental health training that tackles realistic issues faced by our young people as they navigate their teenage years. The program focuses on building resilience and giving young people the skills they need to make good choices, tackle difficult situations  and reach their potential.

Things such as anxiety, inability to focus, becoming overwhelmed and an inability to self- regulate, will be areas addressed by the Wellbeing Team in their presentations, with the aim of increasing engagement and retention of students at FLC.

As well as Wellbeing education, the Wellbeing Team also provides one on one support to assess the needs of students, which may result in referral or secondary consult to provide appropriate Mental Health support.

In order to assist our cohort, having them at school is extremely important. We can only have a positive impact if they are here, so retention of students is key. This means finding processes that support them to stay at school for whole days, regardless of what may be impacting on them.

Students benefit from an alternative space if it becomes difficult for them to be in the classroom. The alternative space provides somewhere for students to go if they are feeling triggered or uncomfortable in the classroom through anxiety or external factors impacting on them. The space provides somewhere to work or a place to ground and settle before returning to the classroom.

The room is monitored by Wellbeing staff who constantly checked in to see if students feel able to return to class or if they prefer, to work in the quiet space. Having this space means that students have an opportunity to remain at school instead of going home if they are feeling uncomfortable.