Australia’s Best Teachers: Eliza-Jane Ellis recognised for supporting students’ mental health

As an advocate for at-risk pupils, Northern Beaches Secondary College teacher Eliza-Jane Ellis explains how she takes care of the wellbeing of her students. See the list of best teachers.

When the going gets tough, the tough go for a run — at least at Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus, where wellness is as important as education.

Teacher Eliza-Jane Ellis, 28, is at the forefront of this movement, prioritising student wellbeing.

An ancient history and society and culture teacher, as well as a Year 11 co-adviser, Ms Ellis is an advocate for at-risk students, offering emotional and social support, and said physical activity plays a crucial role in her wellness strategy.

One of the standout programs at the senior college is the Freshie Runners group, where once a week select teachers and students get together at 7am for a run.

“If a young person is not opening up, taking them for a walk or a jog can change things. They don’t have to look you in the eye to talk, they can focus on something else as they go along the path, but once they start talking it’s a really good thing for their mental health.”

Eliza-Jane Ellis holds a running club and sports events for students to help with wellbeing. Picture: Tim Hunter

As the coach of the girls’ volleyball and softball teams, Ms Ellis also assist in the running of the school carnivals providing students with opportunities to develop teamwork and leadership skills outside the classroom.

“I think for me as well, I see a different student outside of the classroom. And that’s kind of one of my greatest joys, you can really develop a rapport with these kids,” she said.

“The more engagement outside of the classroom that they have, the better off they are. I enjoy running things like the school carnival; it’s always a challenge to keep up the participation when the students are a bit older, but it’s so important to keep up their physical health and well as their mental health.” Ms Ellis is also a nominated teacher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusivity, serving as a mentor and point of contact for First Nations students.

Principal Chantelle Phair with Eliza-Jane Ellis. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Under the mentorship of Principal Chantelle Phair, Ms Ellis has embraced her many roles at the school, which is a far cry from her first job as a newly-graduated teacher where Zoom classes were the norm during the Covid shutdown period.

In four short years since then, Ms Ellis says both students and teachers have had to quickly adapt on the go.

“I was just finishing my high school journey when technology was at the forefront … Now, young people are in constant engagement with social media, which has a lot of problems in itself.” Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic about the positive impact of recent initiatives, such as the New South Wales ban on mobile phones in schools.

Ms Phair said Ms Ellis had made solid connections with so many students.

“Students that are recognised as First Nations people can elect a teacher that they have a good rapport with or that they trust, to be a point of contact if they have any issues, be it academic or wellbeing. It’s a statewide school program where they have a personalised learning plan and with that comes a teacher mentor,” she said.

“It’s lovely that Eliza has been nominated by two of our kids; I think there’s probably six First Nations students in the school and two-thirds of them wanted Eliza.”

Ms Phair said Ms Ellis makes sure all students feel like they belong.

“ She sort of takes care of their wellbeing, but also runs programs like our orientation days and things like that. She really helps to ensure that our students feel like they belong here.”
Meet 50 of Australia’s Best Teachers HERE

Originally published as Australia’s Best Teachers: Eliza-Jane Ellis recognised for supporting students’ mental health