Student Wellbeing and Learning

Social and Emotional Learning at GHPS

This term at GHPS, teaching teams have been trialling elements of our new Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Scope and Sequence. This trial helps us finetune the program before it is introduced across the whole school next year.

Students in Prep, Grades 1, 2 and 3/4 have been learning about the SEL pillar of ‘Control’. Through this work, students have explored emotional regulation and expression, self‑awareness and self‑management. Lessons have focused on recognising different emotions, understanding how emotions can feel in our bodies, and learning strategies to help regulate our bodies and our emotions. A key message students will be working on this term is: “All feelings are okay, but not all behaviours are.” This helps children understand that while all emotions are valid, it’s important to express them in safe and respectful ways.

You can support this learning at home by using similar language, such as:

• "It’s okay to feel [emotion], but it is not okay to [behaviour]."
• "All feelings are valid, but not all behaviours are acceptable."
• "It's okay to be angry, but it's not okay to hurt others."
• "You can feel frustrated, but we still need to be kind."
• "I understand why you're upset, but we cannot [unsafe action]."

• "It’s okay to feel sad, but we still have to [responsibilities]."

   

Students in Grades 5 and 6 have been focusing on the pillar of ‘Connection’. This learning supports social awareness, relationship skills and building positive connections with others. Lessons encourage students to develop empathy by considering different perspectives and learning to “walk in someone else’s shoes.” Later this term, students will also explore bullying, including the different types of bullying and what to do if they or someone else is experiencing it.

We look forward to continuing this important learning with students across the school.

Jess Johnston

jessica.johnston@education.vic.gov.au