Wellbeing News

At our opening of the year mass on Tuesday, our student leaders received their badges and they have already made an impact in their roles, helping serve and support our school community.  Some of the initiatives they have been working on so far are attending meetings and setting agendas, brainstorming fund raising ideas, organising rosters, speaking at our school assembly and creating resources!  We are proud of the way they have embraced their roles and started on their journey.

Buddy Program

At SMDP we have a Buddy program for our new Preps.  They are paired up with a Year 6 Buddy and meet with them regularly. The rationale behind this is as follows -

Buddies programs in primary schools are designed to foster positive relationships, promote social-emotional learning, and provide a supportive environment for new or younger students, in the following ways.

1. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):

Empathy and compassion: Buddies can help develop empathy and compassion by encouraging understanding and kindness towards others.

Conflict resolution: Learning to resolve conflicts peacefully is a valuable skill that buddies can practice together.

Self-esteem and confidence: Being paired with a buddy can boost self-esteem and confidence for younger or new students.

2. Transition Support:

New student orientation: Buddies can help new students navigate the school environment, introducing them to classrooms, teachers, and other students.

Reduced anxiety: Having a familiar face can alleviate anxiety for new or younger students, making their transition smoother.

3. Positive Peer Relationships:

Mentorship: Older students can serve as mentors, providing guidance and support to younger students.

Friendship development: Buddies can become friends, fostering positive peer relationships and a sense of belonging.

4. Community Building:

School culture: Buddies programs can contribute to a positive and inclusive school culture by promoting cooperation and respect.

Sense of belonging: Students feel more connected to the school community when they have positive relationships with their peers.

5. Academic Benefits:

Increased engagement: Buddies can encourage academic engagement by providing support and motivation.

6. Improved attendance: 

Students who feel connected to the school community are more likely to attend regularly.

By fostering positive relationships, promoting social-emotional learning, and providing support, buddies programs can have a significant impact on the overall well-being and academic success of primary school students.

Here are some photos of our Buddies having a fun time creating Valentine Day Craft together:

We would love to invite our Prep and year Six parents to an afternoon tea on Thursday, March 12th so you can meet each other and spend some time with your child and their Buddy. Please RSVP by Thursday, 5th March 2026 to Simone: swhitehead@smdplaverton.catholic.edu.au

Understanding Our Emotions: The Zones of Regulation

At our school, we are committed to helping students navigate their feelings with confidence and resilience. To do this, one tool we use is The Zones of Regulation—a trusted, research-based framework designed to build emotional control and lifelong behavioral skills.

Grounded in cognitive behavioral science, this program provides our students, teachers, and families with a common language to talk about feelings. By sorting emotions into four easy-to-understand color zones, it gives our children the practical strategies they need to recognise how they are feeling and the tools to manage those emotions effectively.

This poster explains the zones so you might find it a useful reference.

Kind regards,

Simone Whitehead

Wellbeing & Family Engagement Leader