Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Child Development through a well being lense

When considering the influences on students' development we can visualise the student at the centre, surrounded by the different systems that support them, as seen above. Through their close connections with students, their families and peers, schools play a central role in their students' development.

Social development includes learning about the norms of relationships and building the social skills they need for getting on with others and managing friendships. School is a critical context for children's social development. Through their relationships and connections with others, children build a sense of who they are and where they fit in the social world.

As Anna has mentioned in previous newsletters, it is important for students to have continuity in their learning. It is just as important to have continuity in their social development for their well being. Please reach out if your family needs support to achieve this. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing 2026

This year, for the first time, our school has appointed a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL). 

My role as the MHWL is to build the capability of the whole school with regard to mental health and well being (identification, promotion and prevention), provide support to staff to better identify and support students with mental health needs, establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention, and monitor and evaluate student progress. The role has been designed to support classroom teachers. 

The role has also been designed to provide a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of mental health and wellbeing based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.

Once my training begins, I will share the resources across the school to build the capability of staff to better identify and support students. 

The role also includes implementing whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.

I am looking forward to an exciting year in this developing role.

Tracey Mclaren