WANGARATTA High School and Springhurst Primary School have been granted State Government funding for a new program to measure and strengthen students resilience. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said the schools approach will include the use of a specialist survey based on compelling international research and evidence linking strong resilience to improved academic outcomes. Based on the findings of each survey, schools will be supported in the development of evidence-based approaches to help build student resilience and wellbeing, she said. Tailored professional learning opportunities will also be available to staff. Ms Symes said schools were selected for funding based on their capacity to deliver a whole-of-school approach to student and staff wellbeing, the level of need among their student population and their ability to support ongoing and sustainable improvements beyond the life of the grant. She said support will be provided to help measure the effectiveness of schools strategies and interventions in a years time. There is extensive research proving that higher resilience leads to better educational and social outcomes so targeted, grassroots projects such as these are vital for helping our students achieve their best at school, Ms Symes said.