Culturally Responsive Mentoring Programs
Building confidence, belonging, emotional control and positive direction
Healthy Teens partners with secondary schools to support students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through physical activity, mentoring, guided discussion and personal development. Students are provided with a structured environment where they can build trust, recognise their strengths, manage challenges and develop a stronger connection with school. Every program is tailored to your students, school priorities and existing wellbeing supports.
Trusted by schools including Haileybury College, Cranbourne SC, Lighthouse Christian College and Westall SC
Trusted by Schools Across Victoria
Healthy Teens delivers practical school programs combining culturally responsive mentoring, physical activity, emotional regulation and student engagement.
Cultural Identity Is a Strength
Students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are not one group, and cultural background should never be treated as a behavioural problem.
Some students may be navigating identity, belonging, family expectations, language barriers, discrimination or the pressure of moving between different cultural environments.
Others may simply need a positive adult connection and an opportunity to feel recognised for their strengths.
Healthy Teens provides a culturally responsive environment where students are respected, challenged and held to positive expectations.
The goal is not to change who students are. The goal is to help them build the confidence, skills and support needed to make positive choices and participate more fully in school life.
What the Program Supports
Every student will respond differently, but the program can help strengthen:
Confidence and Belonging
Students experience progress through effort, encouragement and consistent participation while developing a stronger sense of connection.
Emotional Control
Students practise recognising pressure, resetting and choosing a more constructive response.
School Engagement
Students are encouraged to set goals, take greater responsibility and reconnect with their education.
Communication and Conflict Management
Students explore respectful communication, boundaries and alternatives to aggressive or withdrawn responses.
Leadership and Personal Responsibility
Students learn to contribute positively, support others and understand the influence of their choices.
Program Snapshot
Year levels: Years 7 to 12
Delivery: Single workshop or multi week program
Location: Delivered at your school
Group size: Tailored to your needs
Focus areas: Belonging, confidence, engagement, emotional control and leadership
Reporting: Student feedback, observations and recommendations available
A Practical Approach to Student Development
Some students do not respond well to programs based entirely on sitting, listening and talking.
Healthy Teens uses physical activity to create practical learning opportunities.
Students experience challenge, frustration, feedback, teamwork and progress in real time. Facilitators then help them connect those experiences with situations at school, at home and in the community.
Sessions may include:
• Boxing and fitness activities
• Partner and team challenges
• Emotional reset strategies
• Respectful communication activities
• Goal setting and reflection
• Discussions about identity and belonging
• Leadership and responsibility tasks
Students do not need boxing or fitness experience.
Activities can be modified according to ability, confidence, fitness level and individual support needs.
Who Can the Program Support?
The program can be delivered to a general cohort or designed for a targeted group.
It may support students who are:
• Experiencing low confidence or limited connection
• Withdrawing from school or peer relationships
• Finding it difficult to manage frustration or conflict
• Involved in repeated behavioural incidents
• Struggling to accept feedback or take responsibility
• Adjusting to a new school, community or cultural environment
• Seeking leadership, identity or personal direction
• Needing a positive relationship with a trusted adult mentor
Participation should not be presented as punishment.
Students are more likely to engage when the program is introduced as an opportunity to develop, connect and demonstrate their strengths.
Healthy Teens can work with your wellbeing team to identify a suitable cohort and establish clear program goals.
Flexible Program Options
Targeted Multi Week Program
A structured program that allows students to build trust, practise new skills and work towards clear personal and group outcomes.
Introductory Workshop
A focused session exploring confidence, identity, emotional control, teamwork and positive decision making.
Leadership and Engagement Program
A strengths based program for students who may benefit from greater responsibility, direction and leadership opportunities.
How the Program Works
1. School Consultation
We discuss your students, current concerns, desired outcomes and existing wellbeing supports.
2. Program Planning
The program is tailored to the cohort, school environment, facilities and student needs.
3. Student Engagement
Facilitators establish clear expectations, build trust and introduce the program as a positive development opportunity.
4. Practical Delivery
Students participate in physical activity, mentoring discussions, teamwork and guided reflection.
5. Review and Recommendations
Where appropriate, Healthy Teens provides feedback about participation, student development and possible next steps.
Safe, Structured and School Appropriate
Student dignity, cultural safety and physical wellbeing are central to every Healthy Teens program.
Delivery includes:
• Clear safety and behavioural expectations
• Progressive and modified activities
• Qualified and experienced facilitators
• Working with Children Checks
• First aid qualifications
• Appropriate risk management
• Collaboration with school wellbeing staff
• Consideration of individual student needs
The program is a mentoring and student development service. It does not replace psychological, medical or specialist mental health support.
Healthy Teens works alongside the school’s existing wellbeing and referral processes.
Why Schools Choose Healthy Teens
Healthy Teens combines school based experience, culturally responsive mentoring and practical physical activity.
Our approach is:
• Strengths based rather than judgement based
• Active and engaging
• Tailored to the school and student cohort
• Focused on trust and positive relationships
• Connected to measurable student outcomes
• Delivered in partnership with school wellbeing teams
Students are supported to feel respected, capable and proud of who they are while developing greater responsibility for their choices.
What Students, Schools and Families Say
Student Feedback
“I felt like I could be myself and that my culture and background were respected. The mentors understood where I was coming from, helped me build confidence and showed me better ways to handle challenges.” A. Muhammed
School Leader Feedback
“From a school perspective, these results translated into observable gains in classroom participation, self-regulation, and willingness to engage positively with peers and staff. The program has been particularly impactful for students requiring Tier 2 support within our Multi Tiered System of Supports framework, as well as students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who benefited from the culturally responsive and relationship-based delivery model”
Anne Mukankusi
School Community Liaison Officer – African
Parent Feedback
“I have seen a real change in my child’s confidence and attitude. They feel proud of their culture, more comfortable expressing themselves and better able to manage challenges at home and at school.” A. Kojo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program only for students with behavioural concerns?
No. Programs can support general cohorts, newly arrived students, student leaders or young people needing greater confidence, connection and direction.
Do students need boxing or fitness experience?
No. Activities are introduced progressively and can be modified for different abilities.
Can the program be tailored?
Yes. The program can focus on belonging, engagement, emotional control, leadership, confidence, respectful relationships or other agreed school priorities.
Help Students Feel Connected, Capable and Proud of Who They Are
When students feel respected, understood and connected, they are better positioned to engage positively with school and recognise their potential.
Healthy Teens provides a practical environment where students can build confidence, strengthen emotional control and take greater responsibility for their future.
Discuss your students, your school priorities and the most suitable program format.
WATCH US SHINE
Results you can see, confidence you can feel. Let us empower your teen to reach their full potential
