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.
School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (SPBL) is an evidence-based approach that provides a framework for a school and its community to promote student safety and create teaching and learning environments that enable students to be healthy, happy, engaged and successful. Our school implemented this program in 2017 with our WAVE Expectations
- We Respect
- Act Responsibly
- Value Learning
- Everyone is Safe
Lessons on these expectations are taught in all classes at regular opportunities throughout the year. Students are rewarded with tokens for demonstrating these expectations across all settings of the school. They earn Bronze, Silver and Gold ribbons and have their names published in the newsletter. They then achieve a gold pin and have lunch with the principal.
