Dimension 3: Wellbeing
All
Outcome
Young South Australians are happy, inspired and engaged
Indicator
Children and young people are connected to family, friends and culture
Feeling connected at school
The WEC data for SA indicate that the percentage of:
• Year 4 to Year 10 students from all school sectors feeling connected to adults at school was 60.9% in 2023 (61.4% in 2019) In Tasmania, the other Australian jurisdiction that participates in the WEC, a slightly different question was asked. In 2021, 66.3% of Year 4 to Year 10 students in government schools in Tasmania agreed with this question: ‘Are there any adults who are important to you at your school?’ (53.9% in 2019).
Data Source: Wellbeing and Engagement Collection, Australia
Friends
The percentage of Year 4 to Year 10 students with one or more friends in whom they can confide was 89.3% in 2023 (90.2% in 2019).
Data Source: Wellbeing and Engagement Collection, Australia
Cyberbulling
With reference to ‘cyberbullying’ the WEC states: ‘for example, someone used the computer or text messages to exclude, threaten, humiliate you, or to hurt your feelings’.
Almost four-fifths (79%) of Year 4 to Year 10 students responding to the WEC in 2021 indicated that they did not/rarely experienced any form of cyberbullying during the school year.
Specifically, 16% of respondents indicated that they had encountered a form of cyberbullying approximately monthly and 5% of respondents indicated that they had experienced a form of cyberbullying more often than monthly.
Data Source: Wellbeing and Engagement Collection, Australia
Cultural activities and events
Cultural activities and events provide important opportunities for children and young people to connect with others. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) definitions of:
• cultural activities include participation in drama, singing, playing a musical instrument, dancing, art and craft, creative writing and creating digital content.
• cultural events include attending libraries and archives, art galleries, museums, cinemas, live music concerts, theatre, dance and other performing arts.
In 2021-22, children and young people in SA (5-14 years) reported their participation and attendance for the 12-month period prior to being surveyed as follows:
• 60.7% of children and young people participated in cultural activities (66.8% in 2017-18). Nationally, 59.2% of children and young people participated in cultural activities (63.4% in 2017-18).
• 84.5% of children and young people attended at least one cultural venue or event (80.1% nationally).
Data Source: Cultural and creative activities, ABS