Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS)
As part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) role, two key responsibilities are to:
- Embed evidence based training and resources across the school to build staff capability to identify and support students.
- Implement whole school approaches that promote and support student mental health and wellbeing.
At Boroondara Park Primary School, we have strong structures and frameworks in place to support student mental health and wellbeing. These align with Department of Education expectations, the Child Safe Standards and the Victorian Curriculum. The MHWL team has been focused on developing a clear understanding of our school’s current approach to supporting student mental health and wellbeing. This includes looking at the structures and processes we have in place to support students, as well as how wellbeing is embedded within our curriculum and everyday school practices.
The Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016) identified the important role that schools and early childhood settings play in creating a culture of respect and equality and helping to prevent family violence for future generations. One of the recommendations was that Respectful Relationships education be mandated in Victorian Schools. It supports students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to build healthy, respectful and positive relationships.
Respectful Relationships is embedded within the Health and Physical Education and Personal and Social Capability areas of the Victorian Curriculum in the primary years. It provides opportunities for students to develop skills in areas such as emotional literacy, resilience, positive relationships, problem-solving and respectful communication.
Respectful Relationships is divided into eight topics that fall under social and emotional learning: Emotional Literacy, Personal and Cultural Strengths, Positive Coping, Problem-solving, Stress management, Help-seeking, Gender norms and stereotypes and Positive gender relations.
The Department of Education has developed a set of age appropriate resources and lessons that target each topic.
In Term 4 we teach Topic 7 Gender Norms and Stereotypes and Topic 8 Positive Gender Relations.
In Topic 7, students explore how gender norms and stereotypes can influence everyday attitudes, behaviours and opportunities. They learn to recognise and challenge limiting ideas about what people can or should do based on their gender, while developing an understanding of gender equality, human rights, inclusion and the importance of respecting everyone.
In Topic 8, students develop an understanding of what respectful relationships and safe, inclusive communities look like. They explore how verbal, physical and emotional behaviours can cause harm and learn to recognise when these behaviours are not respectful. Students also build practical skills in setting personal boundaries, solving problems respectfully and cooperatively, and knowing when and how to seek help.
Through these topics, we aim to support students to build respectful, inclusive and positive relationships and contribute to a school community where everyone feels valued and accepted.
As we prepare to teach Topics 7 and 8, we would like to reassure families that careful planning and collaboration takes place to support the delivery of these topics, given the sensitive nature of some of the content. The curriculum is evidence-based and all learning is age-appropriate and thoughtfully designed for primary-aged students. Teachers use recommended resources and work collaboratively to ensure that learning experiences and discussions are safe, respectful and appropriate.
Some learning activities explore topics such as racism, discrimination, stereotypes and fairness. These concepts are introduced in an age-appropriate way, with a focus on respect, inclusion, equality and building positive relationships.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the wellbeing programs and initiatives or feel free to explore the Respectful Relationships curriculum in the following link: https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-relationships.
Thank you for supporting our school's commitment to student wellbeing.
Kind regards,
Kristen Schultz
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
Learning Specialist - Wellbeing