Student Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing at Greenhills

At Greenhills Primary School, we know that student wellbeing is the foundation for success, both in the classroom and beyond. When children feel safe, connected and supported, their capacity to learn, engage and thrive grows significantly. Research shows that one in four primary school students will experience a mental health challenge at some point, reinforcing just how important it is for schools and families to work together to nurture wellbeing every day.

Our work is focused not only on supporting students when challenges arise, but on building the skills they need to navigate setbacks with confidence. By explicitly teaching resilience, positive coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, we equip our students to manage emotions, build healthy relationships and persist when learning feels tough.

Last week, James wrote about the new Mental Health and Wellbeing leader role that has been established for 2026. We are excited to have Jessica Johnstone supporting our staff in their planning and teaching of wellbeing in the classroom. Jess will be working with our School Improvement Team (SIT) supporting our teacher leaders in building our Wellbeing programs.

A message from Jessica Johnston;

I am thrilled to begin my role as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader at Greenhills in 2026. With nearly 15 years of teaching experience, I have witnessed significant shifts in students’ needs, particularly regarding their mental health and wellbeing and the impact this has had on learning. I look forward to working closely with staff to build students’ emotional literacy and resilience, and to strengthen the overall wellbeing of every learner at Greenhills.

Some key aspects of my role will include:

• Developing a comprehensive Wellbeing Scope and Sequence, along with clear curriculum documentation, to ensure a cohesive and consistent approach to wellbeing teaching across the school.
• Collaborating with staff in classrooms to embed wellbeing practices into everyday learning, ensuring it is naturally integrated throughout the curriculum at Greenhills.
• Strengthening the capacity of school staff—particularly classroom teachers—to recognise and support students experiencing mental health challenges within the learning environment.

Keep an eye out in future Newsletters for more information regarding the teaching of wellbeing at Greenhills and the ways you can support your child at home.

                   Janine Hough                                             Brad Ryan

 janine.hough@education.vic.gov.au   Bradley.Ryan@education.vic.gov.au