Warrnambool Primary School Newsletter

Wellbeing

Term 4 - Week 2 

This week students focused on:

Lesson Focus - Gender and Identity Stereotypes

Positive People Focus - To understand that everyone is different and might like different things.

 

OCTOBER IS ADHD AWARENESS MONTH

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health condition in children and is present in most countries around the world. Although there is an abundance of literature on ADHD with plenty of scientific information, this condition remains controversial and often under diagnosed. – ADHD Go-To Guide

ADHD is not a new condition and has been described in children for over 100 years.

Children with ADHD may experience difficulties with:

  • Inattention – having difficulty concentrating, forgetting instructions, moving from one task to another without completing anything
  • Impulsivity – such as talking over the top of others, having a ‘short fuse’, being accident prone
  • Overactivity – constant restlessness and fidgeting
  • Insatiability – rarely satisfied, interrogates people, generates tension and is unaware of when to let a matter drop
  • Social Navigation – misreads social cues, can be overpowering and demands attention
  • Poor coordination – uncoordinated and clumsy, an awkward flow of movement or has difficulty doing multiple tasks, often with messy handwriting
  • Disorganisation – does not recognise ‘mess’, tends to lose belongings and is often forgetful. My have difficulty structuring their schoolwork, getting started on homework and projects
  • Variability – fluctuates between good and bad days, has severe mood swings and can be quite volatile
  • Difficulty with time management – limited awareness of time passing and may have poor time management skills

GOVERNMENT FUNDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES - SAVERPLUS

BREAKFAST CLUB

This year we have had a positive uptake for Breakfast Club. 

The School Breakfast Clubs program provides more than just nutritious food – it improves concentration, builds social skills, and gives kids a better chance to create a bright future for themselves through learning. All students are welcome to attend with the program operating each Monday and Friday in BER from 8.15am to 8.45am.

 

Warrnambool Primary School Wellbeing Team

Wellbeing Teacher - Tonya Ferguson

Days of work Monday to Thursday 

The state government’s roll out of the school mental health menu funds have allowed us to employ a ‘wellbeing teacher’ in 2024 who will:

  • Promote Positive Mental Health within the entire school community.
  • Support the implementation of mental health and wellbeing, through face to face teaching of students in the classroom.  
  • Enable schools to provide early intervention to support students who may be at risk or disengagement or mental health concerns, through individual or group work, guided by the need of the students. 
  • Provide targeted and more individualised support for students who need it, through programs offered in school and referrals to services and supports available in our community. 
  • Provide support to classroom teachers and school leadership in the development and management of required Individual Support Plans that promote both staff and student wellbeing. 

Student Wellbeing and Counsellor- Jess Arnott

Days of work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Is a qualified social worker whose role at Warrnambool Primary School is varied, with an overall my aim to ensure every student’s wellbeing is supported and advocated for. 

To do this Jess will; 

  • Enhance the capacity to develop positive and engaging school culture and to support students who are at risk of disengagement and not achieve their educational potential. 
  • Conduct one-on-one counselling for students for a variety of reasons, individual to student needs. These sessions promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
  •  When required complete or support families with referrals to services including mental health services, CAMHS, DFFL, orange door, psychologists, family violence services and more. 
  • To focus on priorities, particularly in tackling bullying and supporting students with mental health or welfare issues.
  • To support a case management approach to student interventions, including participating in student support groups and conduct follow ups.
  • To work in partnership with school and community-based and students support services and networks to develop programs that promote health and wellbeing.

There are many wonderful support services within our community. One of those is through Wellways and South West Health Care. They offer one-on-one mental health support for people aged 16-24 years who live in Warrnambool. For more information please call Wellways on 1300 111 400.