Wellbeing

SWPBS: Whittlesea Primary School Expectations

Respect Your School

This week, we would like to put a spotlight on our WPS school expectation of 'Respect Your School'. This important schoolwide expectation focuses on how WPS students show respect towards people, places and materials in all areas of the school. Our student-friendly posters, which are displayed in all classrooms, explain how students can demonstrate the expectation of 'Respect Your School'.

This School Expectation looks like, feels like and sounds like:

• Listen to and always follow the Teacher's instructions.
• Take care of our spaces, resources, and school environment.
• Walk calmly and quietly around our school.
• Play safely in our yard and use equipment appropriately.

We then break down what 'Respect Your School' can look like in different areas of the school or various aspects of learning.

For example:

• Learning Spaces: listen to and follow teacher instructions, keep learning spaces clean and tidy.
• Collaboration & Group Work: consider the thoughts and insights of others in your group.
• Devices & Technology: store devices safely & securely, hand in phones/ devices, and follow teacher instruction & school policy.
•  Moving Around the School/ Outside: go slow when in 'slow zones'.
• Toilets: Ask your teacher to go to the toilet before leaving the space, keep toilets clean & tidy.
• And always - Respect our school history, heritage & all cultures.

Well done to all students who have received a Golden Ticket this week for showing the school expectation of 'Respect Your School'.

Disability Inclusion

Following on from last week's information about anxiety. Anxiety can look like lots of different things, including negative, confusing and what seem to be extreme behaviours.

Understanding the source of a child’s anxiety can be challenging, especially as children often find it hard to put their feelings into words or explain what they’ve been doing. The way we frame our questions can make a big difference in the answers we receive. By asking questions differently, we can open the door to more meaningful conversations. Here are some alternative questions you might like to try; see if they help you uncover deeper insights from your child.

Learning

• "What’s something you worked hard on today, even if it was tricky?"
• "What did you learn today that made you curious to know more?"
• "Can you tell me about a time today when you kept trying, even when it was challenging?"
• "Is there anything you'd do differently today?"

Friendships

• "Who did you spend the most time with today, and what did you do together?"
• "Was there a time today when you helped someone or someone helped you?"
• "What’s something kind that you saw someone do at school today?"
• "If you could change one thing about how people played or worked together today, what would it be?"

If you ever feel something might be troubling your child, even if you’re not quite sure what it is, please reach out to their teacher or our Wellbeing Team. We’re here to work alongside you to support your child’s learning and overall wellbeing. Together, we can help them thrive, keeping them happy, healthy, and flourishing in both body and mind.