Positive wellbeing is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn, develop and thrive at school.

We know that when students feel supported, they are more engaged with their learning.

At Sydney Catholic Schools, we commit to providing safe, supportive and inclusive environments which nurture the wellbeing of all students and staff in our community.

Our student wellbeing policy is underpinned by the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. The framework recognises five elements that are key to supporting the whole school community to build and maintain safe, positive relationships and wellbeing: leadership, inclusion, student voice, partnerships and support.

This is complemented by the Be You Framework, a national initiative for educators aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people. The integration of both frameworks supports our school communities to provide every student with the strongest foundation possible for them to reach their aspirations in learning and in life.

We have a systemic approach to wellbeing and positive behaviour with tiers of support to meet the diverse needs of staff, students and families. The offerings range from whole school initiatives, actively seeking student voice, system policies on anti-bullying, student counselling, staff training in student wellbeing, along with targeted interventions for students with complex social and emotional needs.

01-our-lady-star-miranda-student-wellbeinSchool Wellbeing Teacher: Mr John Bonello

School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (SPBL)
The school undertakes a research-based program that has success in improving learning and learning environments through improving behaviour. This supports our Pastoral Care and Discipline Policy and procedures as well as our Restorative Justice approach embedded within these practices.

Awards
Teachers aim to frequently affirm appropriate behaviour both in the classroom and the school context. Awards are based on classroom effort, academic achievement, contribution to school life, sporting and other achievements, and the SWPBL values of respect, responsibility, and safety.

KidsMatter
KidsMatter Primary is a flexible, whole-school approach to improving children’s mental health and wellbeing. A KidsMatter school promotes a positive community that is founded on respectful relationships and a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Crunch and Sip
Crunch and sip is a scheduled break in the morning for students to “refuel” on fruit and salad vegetables and rehydrate with water. It has been shown to increase concentration and lower irritability and disruptive behaviour.

Highway Heroes ‘Smart Life Skills 4 Kids’
A unit of social and emotional learning that uses a teaching metaphor of everyone being on a journey travelling along the Highway of Life. They will learn that one of the first destinations on the Highway is their current one – Primary School – with many more to follow, and that along the Highway, everyone will experience many events (‘Highway Happenings’) – some fabulous, others horrible, many bland and every so often, exhilarating. It’s rarely dull!

The Highway Heroes curriculum provides structured and fully resourced lessons in each of the Social and Emotional Learning areas that have been identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) – the international body in children’s well-being.

The Reflection Centre
The Reflection Centre operates at Our Lady Star of the Sea every recess and lunch. The centre is located in one of the rooms in the school and is set up to cater for the needs of students and teachers during lunch and recess breaks. The centre is staffed by members of the school leadership team. Students are either referred to the Reflection Centre by the duty teacher or they come because they need support.

Anti-bullying policy

Sydney Catholic Schools rejects all forms of bullying behaviours, including online (or cyber) bullying, by maintaining a commitment to providing safe, inclusive and respectful learning communities that promote student wellbeing for learning. Staff at Sydney Catholic Schools are committed to employing wellbeing strategies that allow for a healthy school environment where bullying is less likely to occur.

If your child is experiencing bullying of any kind, or you have a wellbeing concern, we have a number of support services available for parents/carers and students, as listed below.

Support services: