Community Wellness
ATTENDANCE:
A big congratulations to our Year One learners who are currently sitting at an outstanding 96% attendance for the first five weeks of school! This is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strong partnership between school and families in supporting regular attendance. Well done to our Year One students and their families! Regular attendance is essential for academic success, social development, and building positive learning habits. Every day at school counts!
If your family is experiencing challenges that are impacting attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the school. We are here to support you and work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. You are welcome to email me directly at lchapman@smechuca.catholic.edu.au.
LEARNER WELLBEING & ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS:
At SME, we are proud to offer learners opportunities to participate in programs such as Boys to the Bush and Girls on the Rize. These programs are designed to not only support learner wellbeing but also provide new experiences, personal growth opportunities, and positive challenges beyond the classroom.
To ensure fairness and equity, SME follows a clear set of criteria when considering learners for these programs. As part of the process, learners are required to apply themselves, encouraging self-advocacy and reflection on their own goals, strengths, and readiness for the opportunity. This approach supports learners in developing ownership of their learning journey while ensuring consistency in how selections are made. Once applications are successful, families are contacted and given the opportunity to decide whether their child will participate.
PRIDE AWARD:
Each week, our St. Mary’s Pride Award is presented to the class that earns the highest number of house points. House points are awarded to learners who demonstrate our SME expectations, embody our Graduate Outcomes, follow school rules, and apply our Classroom Mastery routines.
Over the first few weeks, we are proud to recognise 2A, 4C, 6A and 2B as our Pride award winners. Congratulations to these classes for showing outstanding teamwork, positive behaviour, and commitment to learning. We look forward to seeing which class will take out the award next!
6JCA
4KDO
2ELA
2TCO
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILDS BEHAVIOUR:
Problematic behaviour is often best understood not as “misbehaviour,” but as a child’s way of communicating that an important need is not being met. Just like adults, children have core needs that influence how they feel and respond to the world around them.
These include feeling safe and secure, having predictable routines, opportunities for quiet and calm, and access to appropriate stimulation and engagement. When these needs are unmet, children may express distress through behaviour because they do not yet have the emotional skills or language to explain what is wrong. Research shows that behaviour is frequently a form of communication, a signal that a child may be overwhelmed, tired, anxious, or needing connection or support.
Parents and carers are encouraged to explore the SchoolTV resource “What Your Child’s Challenging Behaviour Is Trying to Tell You”, which provides practical guidance to help interpret behaviour through a needs-based lens and offers supportive strategies for responding calmly and effectively at home.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
We value parents as partners in supporting high expectations of our learners. We kindly ask that families reinforce at home the importance of listening to adults, following instructions promptly, and communicating respectfully. When the school and home work together with consistent expectations, we can best support our learners' success.
Thank you again for your continued support in maintaining a respectful and positive environment for all members of our SME community.
Liz Chapman
Deputy Principal: Community Wellness