WELLBEING REPORT- JUNIOR SCHOOL

MS BRIDGET RILLIE | ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: WELLBEING JUNIOR

"Let us show love in all our acts" (Mary

MacKillop).

The dignity of every person, independent of ethnicity, creed, gender, age or ability, is the foundation of Catholic Social Teachings and informs the foundations for how we enact positive wellbeing at our College.

From a Prep students first experience on day 1, through to the challenges any child or family may face throughout the year, we are guided by this teaching. We are also guided by the words and actions of Mary MacKillop where practical action was how she educated students.

In 2022, the Wellbeing of students in our Junior School has been supported through various initiatives. All initiatives form part of our College Pastoral Plan, THIRIVE (social and emotional development program) and our Wellbeing Framework.

The College Pastoral Plan, has been a lived and practical experience for all Junior school students. Students in Prep - Year 3 participated in weekly wellbeing lessons where they explored the qualities of confidence, respect, honesty and kindness.

Students in years 4-6 participated in two Formation experiences throughout the year where they also explored these qualities. These students also were provided with experiences relevant to their year levelleadership, responsible use of technology and understanding their own strengths to become the best person they could be.

To support our parents, each Formation experience was supported by information from our College Counsellors in the form of fact sheets, podcasts and information on the College webpage.

To continue to support the social emotional development of our Junior school students, all students participated in the MMCC 'THRIVE' Social Emotional Program. Aligned with our mission of educating the whole child, and aligning with our College Pastoral Plan, THRIVE develops a child of character; a child who is kind, confident, respectful, resilient, and honest.

THRIVE involves the explicit teaching of social and emotional skills, aligned with the General Capabilities. These skills support students to develop self and social awareness, that enables adaptive management skills, that we know support both academic success and optimal states of wellbeing.

The program has supported students to develop their capacity to demonstrate the positive learning behaviours that contribute to their engagement and success in the education context. Twice a term, students participated in a THRIVE assembly.

The assemblies were developed to be age appropriate with students in Prep, Year 1, Year 2 gathering together and students in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 gathering. Following the assembly, all students participated in THRIVE social emotional lessons.

I would like to acknowledge our College Counsellors, Khara Saunders and Dr Jasmin Slack-Smith for the work they have done in creating the THRIVE social emotional lessons for our students, based on both the Australian Curriculum, and the needs of the students in our College. I would also like to acknowledge the Junior School Co-ordinators, Ms Kate Carroll and Mrs Christine Carter, for their contributions to the THRIVE program and leading the THRIVE assemblies.

To support optimal wellbeing for every junior school student, our College Counsellors provided various opportunities for all students throughout the year. Mac Mates is one such initiative provided by Khara Saunders.

Mac Mates is a college-wide initiative where volunteers from the Senior College and Year 6 joined the playground once a week to connect with younger students, and facilitate peer led play-based engagement opportunities, that in turn support social skills development and positive relationships, regulating physical activity, the bi-directional sense of belonging and connection to community, and positive emotion. It has been wonderful to watch the older students interact with the younger students at break times. This engagement has led to the development of many positive relationships between students and helped our Junior school students develop a genuine sense of belonging in the playground.

To enable students to feel connected and foster positive relationships at break times, staff have offered a range of activities. This year, students in the Junior school have had the options of chess, gardening club, choir, library activities, comic club, Minecraft club and a range of activities in Emmaus (mindfulness, colouring, activities.)

Positive music is often played in the P-2 playground, creating a sense of fun and belonging. Ms Bailey joined us this year as the College Student Welfare Worker and spent break times connecting with, talking to and supporting children to develop relationships and engage with others.

Supporting students to have positive mental health, remains a focus each year. R U Ok? day and Bullying no Way day are acknowledged each year, planting the seeds from a very early age to check in our friends and develop strong connections. We were grateful to have a parent and staff session this year from 'Livin', an organisation focusing on breaking down the stigma around mental health.

Our Prep-Year 2 students also had the opportunity to run 'half a k for R U ok?' supported through the Mac Mates program. All P-6 students tied an orange ribbon on the junior fence as an act of solidarity on Bullying no Way day!

The Junior School Merit System was in full swing this year. Each term, students worked towards earning a certificate, ribbon or Joey badge showing their growth in using the College 'positive learning behaviours' in their learning. The Joey badge presentation at the end of each term was always a time of celebration for students, teachers and parents.

In October this year, we held our annual 'Wellbeing Week'.

This week provided students and staff with the opportunity to engage in a range of activities to build upon their own personal wellbeing. The week is underpinned by the College Pastoral Plan, guided by the PERMA model where we are supporting students to build Positive emotions, Engage in activities, develop and maintain healthy Relationships with others, develop a sense of Meaning and feel a sense of Accomplishment.

Throughout the week students chose to participate in a range of activities including painting, meditation, POUND drumming, music and dancing, games, chalk art and instrument club. Students were provided with a homework free week, and were also invited to participate in a 'digital detox' for the week. Wellbeing Week concluded with whole College mindfulness and a P-12 Picnic and the distribution of prizes for the winners of the 'digital detox'.

Reflecting upon the year that has been, I would like to acknowledge the adaptability and resilience demonstrated throughout 2022 by our students in the Junior school. The year began with a delayed start of two weeks, due to Covid. The uncertainty of Covid continued to have impact on peoples health and routines, yet our students continued to 'show up' and display positive learning and play behaviours to enable a positive school day.

The wellbeing of all members of our community, is central to our mission as a Catholic community. I would like to personally acknowledge the work of our College counsellors, junior school coordinators, learning support staff, administration staff, school officers and classroom teachers who form part of our greater wellbeing team. I would also like to thank our parents, who continue to work in partnership with us.

It is a privilege to work with the families of our College, to enable the best outcomes for our students.

Christine Carter

Melanie

Kaitlin

Skewes

Hawkins