Student Wellbeing
Wellbeing is integral to learning excellence and ultimately to overall health and life success. It is described as ‘a sustainable state of positive mood and attitude, resilience and satisfaction with self, relationships and experiences’ (ACU & Erebus International 2008). Wellbeing enables us to give expression to our authentic selves to realise our unique potential. A positive sense of wellbeing supports a base for rich learning that enables young people to flourish. This holistic view recognises that the sacredness, dignity and giftedness of each person is grounded in the belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27).
(Horizons of Hope Foundation Statement: Wellbeing, Catholic Education Melbourne, 2018)
The Wellbeing Framework, ‘Courageous Minds,’ endeavours to skill students to be responsible citizens. It embeds the comprehensive, whole school approach of the Respectful Relationships program, and takes strategies from the Berry Street Institute Model that can be assessed against the Victorian Curriculum Personal and Social Capability. Peaceful Classrooms is used as a supporting program at the beginning of the year to set the classroom expectations and mindfulness practices into daily routines.
At St James we endeavour to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and values to enable them to face the challenges of the twenty-first century with confidence.
Our school Values of Respect, Inclusiveness, Compassion, Courage and Excellence are modelled and lived each day by the Staff, Students and wider St. James Community.
At St. James we aim to:
Develop positive relationships within all aspects of the community.
Create safe and inclusive learning environments.
Develop sustainable community links and partnerships that benefit all.
Develop social and emotional skills.
Engage students in effective wellbeing practices that focus on prevention and early intervention.
We aim to achieve this by:
Offering the service of a School Family Counsellor each Friday.
Employing a Student Wellbeing Leader who is part of the Staff Leadership Team and priorities Wellbeing at St. James.
Ensuring our students are explicitly taught Social and Emotional skills each week to allow them to enjoy positive relationships. The skills can be taught in a variety of ways including the use of Circle Time which fosters respectful relationships in the classroom.
Wellbeing/mindfulness practices are embedded into the program each day using the Yes2Yoga program specifically designed for primary school students.
Supporting our Foundation students in their transition to school by pairing them up with a Year Six Buddy.
Offering the service of ‘Peaceful Kids’ as a small group program designed to guide those students’ experiencing anxiety.
Providing Public Speaking Training for our Year Fives during their fourth term to allow them to prepare for Leadership in Year Six.
Offering an egalitarian Year Six Leadership model in which each student applies, interviews and is appointed to a Leadership Portfolio; with the focus of Servant Leadership. These Portfolios are supported and held accountable by a Staff Mentor.
Allow students to have a voice from Foundation to Year 5 by having Semester long Sport, Social Justice, Environment and Student Representative Council Captains.
Tracking Student Behaviour via our Staff Wellbeing Team to allow all students to feel safe, supported and happy.
Prioritise Meditation and Mindfulness, especially in the classrooms after breaks and during whole school gatherings such as assemblies.
Incorporating ‘Brain Breaks’ every 25 minutes of sustained learning to allow our students to be focused for optimal learning.
Providing opportunities for the students to learn in areas of interest such as Electives and classroom Personal Interest Projects.
Offering Assembly Awards to students demonstrating one or more of our School Values in the classroom or on the playground: Respect, Inclusivity, Compassion, Courage and Excellent.
Intervention and Support Structures at St James
- Peaceful Kids
- Social Skills
- Seasons for Growth
- Chaplaincy
- Family Counselling