Wellbeing News

Student Voice Committee

A BIG thank you to our student voice representatives that met with Kathy last week to share their insights and ideas about how to continue to foster and build student connections at SMDP. It is wonderful to see a spread of student representatives from Prep to Six. 

Our student voice representatives were excited to share their perceptions of our school and take ideas back to their classroom. During the meeting the students worked in small groups to discuss what they like about their school. 

Here are some of their reflections:

• Kids voices can be heard 
• Kind and caring teachers 
• Friendly community 
• Fun events happen at our school 
• Kids stand up for one another 
• Kids respect each other 
• Kids are fun to play with 
• Kids feel comfortable to talk to an adult 
• Kids are inclusive on the yard (playing soccer/ basketball/ footy) 

The students were also asked what can students do to make their school more friendly and inclusive for all.

Here are some of their reflections :

• Look out for people 
• Play with different people 
• Include others 
• Take turns on the equipment 
• Give people space if they need it
• Follow the WOWs 
• Take part in activities 
• Be thankful 
• Stand up against bullying 

The Student Voice Committee aims to help students in our school feel empowered to raise important issues on behalf of their peers and to work towards achieving solutions that they are actively involved in.  Our student voice committee will meet again in Term 4. 

National Child Protection Week 

This week the students took part in Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson. The lesson focus was around supporting students to understand their right to stay comfortable and enforce their right to stay safe. The students looked at practising communicating clearly the way they give or deny permission/consent in common scenarios.

In Prep to Four the scenarios included 

• In the playground when asking to join with a dance 
• Borrowing stationary 
• Sitting close to someone 
• Hugging 

In Grade 5/6 the students looked at some scenarios including

• Borrowing a pencil 
• Photo sharing
• Grabbing a phone and looking through someone’s photos 
• Playing on the sports oval 

Key messages in both sessions included the importance of identifying a child’s safety network and their right to stay safe. 

Kathy Blythe

Student Wellbeing Leader