A Big Life program is a collaboration between Warrnambool College, Brauer College, Warrnambool West Primary School, Grasmere Primary School, Koroit & District Primary School, Woodford Primary School, Woolsthorpe Primary School and Merrivale Primary School and the Warrnambool Student Wellbeing Association. 

Warrnambool Student Wellbeing Association created a Big Life in response to the ever-increasing wave of mental health issues presenting at schools. It is unique to the Warrnambool district, is a community response to our issues aming to strengthen our community. Students are exposed to programs, techniques and ways of thinking aimed at building a positive and resilient mindset. 

A Big Life focuses on the 5 big life questions. These questions are:

1. How do I love and be loved?

2. How do I make family work?

3. What do I do when bad things happen?

4. What is the meaning of life?

5. How do I relate to people different from me?

We are very fortunate to have a Big Life team working with staff and students at Warrnambool West PS. This allows staff to have access to resources and ideas to support students to navigate their expereinces, emotions and wellbeing. Teachers model and teach to the Big Life focus each fortnight and this becomes common language across the school. 

A Big Life is all about encouraging people to think about their big life. We recognise the potential of the young people in our schools, homes and community. With their futures as our focus, we can help equip them with the skills they need to navigate the ups and downs of life. We want to encourage young people to enquire, reflect on and discuss life's big questions. We want them to get the most out of every day by feeling connected, calm, clear, grateful and kind. As this discussion becomes more persistent in the minds of young people, they will begin to reframe the way they see themselves and the world around them.

Our own stories of leading a big life - as individuals, as families and as a community - can become sources of meaning and inspiration for our young people. We can demonstrate that life is not a straight line. It has twists and turns, successes and setbacks, and living them is how we fulfil our promise.

We all have moments of truth in our lives, moments of such clarity and purpose that we can see the horizon of our promise. These moments shared bond us together in hope, excitement and inspiration. There is where we find the joy of leading a big life.

Warrnambool West Primary School's Big Life Footpath