Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)
At Boroondara Park Primary School, our staff work together in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to share ideas, learn from one another and strengthen our teaching practice. By looking at student learning and using evidence to guide our planning, we work together to ensure we are improving student outcomes for every student. This term we are focusing on our Visible Wellbeing (VWB) journey in a PLC inquiry.
VWB combines the science of wellbeing with the science of learning to achieve the three key goals of:
- Helping students and staff to more clearly see their own and others’ wellbeing using VWB practices,
- Helping students and staff more systematically build wellbeing using the SEARCH framework, and,
Facilitating learning through the Visible Wellbeing Classroom process.
Visible Wellbeing creates a unified and consistent approach to wellbeing across the whole school community. Designed by internationally recognised psychologist, Lea Waters AM, PhD, Visible Wellbeing combines the science of wellbeing with the science of learning. The outcome is the build our capacity as a staff to implement wellbeing practices into daily life at school.
The whole school program trains staff in a wellbeing framework, language and practices that can be embedded in the classroom. The program is underpinned by an evidence-based framework called SEARCH. This framework covers 6 pathways to wellbeing:
- Strengths
- Emotional
- Management
- Attention and
- Awareness
- Relationships
- Coping
- Habits and Goals
The aim of the PLC is to build teacher capability in explicitly teaching and embedding visible wellbeing practices that improve student wellbeing, engagement and learning outcomes. Alongside our professional learning we will be:
- Revisiting the SEARCH Framework and its connection to staff wellbeing, student wellbeing and learning
- Reflect on our own wellbeing and professional practice
- Review the SEARCH pathways and consider what has had an impact on us during professional learning
Share Visible Wellbeing strategies and learn from one another to build a consistent whole school approach
Our PLC inquiry question this term is:
- How can the intentional use of Visible Wellbeing practices improve students' wellbeing, engagement and learning behaviours across the school?
By the end of the inquiry cycle, teachers will be more confident and consistent in implementing Visible Wellbeing strategies within their classroom practice, contributing to improved student wellbeing, engagement and belonging. This inquiry provides a valuable opportunity for staff to learn together, share practice and strengthen our collective approach to wellbeing.
Thank you for supporting our school's commitment to student wellbeing.
Kind regards,
Kristen Schultz
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
Learning Specialist - Wellbeing