Over the past three years, the staff Health and Wellbeing Committee have focused on the Department of Education ‘Every Student, Every Classroom, Every Day – Strategic Directions for Public Schools 2020-2024’. This focus has been on supporting all students to meet their individual needs to allow them to succeed to their potential in our rapidly changing world with specific foci on wellbeing, mental health and building resilience. This falls directly in line with our Mission: to nurture and empower each other to pursue and be our best.
Mindful Education
A comprehensive review was undertaken by staff to identify the needs of our students. Several research-based programs were identified, resulting in the whole school implementation of Mindful Education.
This has now been in place since 2021 and staff work collaboratively to ensure this program is implemented daily in classrooms. Mindfulness activities in class include relaxation, body breathing, quiet drawing, calming music, yoga and meditation. Mindfulness sessions for Year 1 to 3 are often done in the undercover area to help students calm and transition to class quietly.
Visual learning across classrooms
To promote mental wellness, the staffroom windows have posters which include a Growth Mindset, Zones of Regulation, Habits of Mind and Mindful Education.
A yearly plan was created in 2023 with a term-by-term focus on the virtue of the year.
School Chaplain
Katie our chaplain is involved across the school to support students, staff and community relating to social and emotional wellbeing two days per week. Katie provides individual support with staff and students at point of need as well as working with small groups for social skills and friendship support in classes. Katie’s presence in the playground, mini meetings & classrooms ensures she is visible and supportive where needed.
Kids Hope
We have been delighted with the introduction of this community mentoring program in 2023. This powerful, wellbeing program brings local community together to transform the lives of children experiencing vulnerability. Through one-on-one mentoring and support volunteers aim to enhance learning capacity and emotional development,
Gardening Club
Usually, Todd our gardener sources the seeds and seedlings and we try to grow a range of herbs and vegetables in the raised beds in the farm garden area. The students that attend Gardening Club have the opportunity to learn about preparing the beds, planting, weeding, watering, feeding, mulching and harvesting, and they get to take home the produce that we harvest.
National Tree Day planting involving Chaplain and Gardener facilitating tree planting sessions with classes.
With these programs and strategies in place, we believe our children will:
- Explicitly learn and apply skills/ strategies outlined in the program to support emotional wellbeing.
- Access the support of the School Chaplain as defined by Roles and Responsibilities local agreement
- Discuss the social and emotional learning program with parents and family members.
- Calm and relax their bodies when needed for optimal learning.
- Take themselves or others to the solution bench to calm, relax and self-regulate.
- Recognise their own values.
