Wellbeing & Child Safety
Berry Street Education Model
Over Terms 2 and 3 this year, staff across our Junior School and Early Learning Centre have been undertaking training through the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). Across six sessions, we have been learning about:
- How stress can affect children's developing brains
- Understanding children's stress responses and ways to support de-escalation
- Supporting co-regulation and self-regulation through play and experiential learning
- Embedding trauma-informed approaches into everyday routines
- Strengthening meaningful partnerships with families
One of the things we have really valued about BSEM has been developing a shared approach across our Junior School and Early Learning Centre to supporting children's wellbeing, relationships and learning. We have a lot to learn from each other as teachers of 3-year-olds up to Year 6 students, and have enjoyed the opportunity to learn and reflect together.
We also recognise that families are children's first and most important teachers. We want to share some of this learning with families and hope that it will provide ideas that are useful at home as well as at school and kinder.
In this space in our newsletter, we will share some of the strategies and ideas we are learning through BSEM, along with other resources that we hope will be helpful to families. We also welcome your feedback and suggestions about topics that would be useful to explore.
In this week's newsletter, we are sharing a family information sheet about the benefits of consistent and predictable routines. These routines can help children feel secure, know what to expect and develop confidence in managing everyday experiences.
We hope you find it helpful. Please feel welcome to send any feedback or suggestions to Beth Bennett at bbennett@kings.vic.edu.au.
Beth Bennett
Thursday Lunchtime Walk & Talk
Every Thursday lunchtime, we step away from our desks and classrooms for our Walk & Talk, a simple but wonderful opportunity to get some fresh air, enjoy the outdoors and connect with one another.
Whether the sun is shining or we end up getting a little wet, the walk is always a great chance to have a chat, share encouragement, have a laugh and support one another through the busyness of the working week. Taking even a short break to move, breathe and enjoy some fresh air can make such a difference to how we feel for the rest of the day.
As Scripture reminds us:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We love that our Thursday Walk & Talk gives us a chance to do exactly that, walk together, talk together and encourage one another.
So, rain or shine, we’ll see you Thursday lunchtime!
Ally Robinson