Student Wellbeing

As we approach the end of the school year, I wish to congratulate the students who have exited years heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic and transitioned to a more typical school year.

The lack of socialisation with like age peers in 2020 and 2021 has meant that sharing space, negotiating play, regulating emotion and resolving conflict have all been skills which have needed to be relearnt and I appreciate the efforts of staff who have often completed extra yard duties in order to be a greater presence on the playground and available to children who are encountering difficulties with peers.

Numerous parents have also worked closely with staff to support the implementation of behavioural expectation and strategies to improve children's capacity to interact positively with others. Staff are very grateful for the cooperation of the parents in maintaining high expectations of their child’s behaviour, supporting the implementation of the School's behavioural expectations and assisting in the development and enforcement of strategies to address individual needs.

At times, the behaviour of other students can be of concern to parents, particularly if your child is negatively impacted. In such instances, we ask you to work with the school to find a positive solution for all. Commonly, when students are supported to talk through incidents, understand each other's perspective and collaborate to find solutions, then tension is quickly resolved and relationships easily restored. Please contact your child's teacher to inform them of incidents reported to you by your child so we can address this at school. Please avoid contacting other families or speaking directly with the other student. It is also an expectation that all adult members of our community act in a respectful manner in line with our school policies ensuring a respectful and safe environment for all members of our community.

For clarity, I have included a copy of the St Mary’s Hampton - Student Behaviour Policy which outlines the process and rationale for our behaviour management approach.

I have also attached a copy of the St Mary’s Hampton - Parent/Guardian/Carer Code of Conduct. This emphasises the expectations of parents when attending school events and for interacting with staff and students. This Code of Conduct is based on the principles that everyone at St Mary’s Primary School; 

• has the right to be safe,
• be treated with respect and be valued even in disagreement
• has the right to participate within a secure environment without interference, intimidation, harassment, bullying or discrimination, and 
• that all members are expected  to be respectful, polite, courteous and considerate of others.

Finally, I have attached a copy of the St Mary’s Hampton - Complaints Handling Policy. It is desirable if grievances with any member of the school can first be managed at the school level, with the parties involved expected to act in good faith and work together with respect and openness to achieve an outcome acceptable to all parties. 

However, if dissatisfied with how complaints have been resolved, this policy outlines the process required to escalate to the relevant MACS Regional Office.

These policies can also be found on the school website: https://www.smhampton.catholic.edu.au/

Best wishes for the remainder of the school year,

Nathan Eddy

Deputy Principal & Student Wellbeing Leader

neddy@smhampton.catholic.edu.au