Wellbeing
In Respectful Relationships, our students are learning that there are no such things as “negative” emotions, every feeling has an important job to do. Emotions like happiness, excitement, sadness, anger, and fear all help us understand what we want and need and can even keep us safe by warning us about harmful situations. Through age-appropriate activities and discussions, students are building their emotional vocabulary, learning to recognise how they feel, and exploring healthy ways to express and manage their emotions. This helps them develop empathy, make positive choices, and build respectful, caring relationships with others.
Wellbeing
Supporting Your Child’s Wellbeing at Home
Looking after children’s wellbeing does not have to be complicated. Often it is the small, everyday moments that make the biggest difference.
Create space to talk Taking a few minutes each day to really listen can go a long way. A simple chat after school or at bedtime helps children feel heard and gives them space to share what is on their mind.
Build healthy routines Having predictable routines helps children feel safe and settled. Regular bedtimes, shared meals, sharing stories and some downtime away from screens can make a noticeable difference to mood and energy levels.
Encourage movement and play Whether it is kicking a ball outside, riding a bike, or just being silly and moving around, active play helps children reset and feel good.
Teach simple coping strategies It can help to gently teach ways to cope with big feelings. Taking a few deep breaths, having a short break, or talking things through are simple strategies that build over time. Remind our little people that big feelings are an important and normal part of life.
Model positive wellbeing Children learn from what they see. When adults take care of themselves and talk openly about feelings, it shows children that it is okay to do the same.
Helpful resource for families The Raising Children Network (raisingchildren.net.au) offers free, practical advice for Australian families across a wide range of topics.
Small, consistent actions at home can make a big difference to how children feel, cope, and thrive.
We are excited to introduce Schools TV more information to come https://schooltv.me/media/engaging-parents-and-carers-student-wellbeing
This is an exciting platform that we will cater to meet the needs of our community. Watch this space.
Wellbeing/School Expectations
At St Mary’s School Rushworth, our Behaviour Response Flowchart provides a consistent and supportive framework that ensures both teachers and students are accountable for their actions and behaviours. Central to this model is the expectation of maintaining a 5:1 ratio of praise to correction, helping to build positive classroom environments where students feel recognised, encouraged, and supported. Staff use a two-part praise approach, identifying both the positive behaviour demonstrated and why it was worthy of recognition. This helps students clearly understand the behaviors and values we want to see consistently across the school.The model also places a strong emphasis on reteach able moments. Rather than assuming students automatically know the expectation, teachers explicitly reteach behaviours and routines to ensure understanding and success. This approach supports students to learn from situations in a calm, respectful, and constructive way.Importantly, the framework also promotes student autonomy and choice, empowering students to reflect on their decisions and take responsibility for their actions within a supportive environment.While this model continues to evolve and refine over time, it represents the consistent response approach all staff at St. Mary’s use when supporting student behaviour. It reflects our commitment to creating calm, predictable, and respectful learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Be Our Best
Healthy lunch ideas
