Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

Sometimes we can forget that school is not just a place where we learn. It is also a place where we belong, care for one another, build relationships and grow together. This happens in many ways here at Sacred Heart Kew. Our Wellbeing Groups are a wonderful example of this. But what is a Wellbeing Group? 

Children from across the school (Prep - Year Six) are all members of a Wellbeing Group. Each group has a teacher who is the Wellbeing Group Leader. Wellbeing Groups get together twice a term, on a Friday afternoon. Each time our Wellbeing Groups meet, there is always a focus and objective. 

Last Friday, our Wellbeing Groups came together to focus on the qualities and behaviours that contribute to positive friendships, developing social and emotional skills, encouraging respectful, caring interactions with others. 

Wellbeing Groups are an important part of Sacred Heart Kew, so too are relationships. Having children spend time with children from other year levels helps create a strong sense of belonging, ensuring children feel known, valued and connected. In these activities younger children get to know older children, while older children develop a greater sense of connection to the wider school community, by providing support and positive role modelling to their younger peers. 

Our Wellbeing Groups can also help children to: 

• develop their leadership skills - Senior children have opportunities to take responsibility, encourage others, listen to younger children and lead activities in meaningful ways.
• strengthen relationships across year levels - Children often spend most of their school day with their own class. Wellbeing Groups give children the opportunity to develop friendships and connections beyond their classroom.
• Feel safer and supported - Having familiar older children who know them and look out for them can make the school environment feel more welcoming and secure.
• Learn empathy and perspective - Older children learn that younger children may have different needs and experiences, while younger children learn to listen, cooperate and appreciate the contribution of others.
• build a culture of kindness - Wellbeing is not simply something that adults ‘do for’ children. Mixed-age groups allow children themselves to become active contributors to a caring and supportive school culture.

• be more inclusive - Children interact with children they may not normally play or work with, helping to break down year-level barriers and ensure everyone feels valued.

   

Ultimately, Wellbeing Groups strengthen the identity of a school community and as a result, Sacred Heart Kew is a school where every child knows that they are part of something bigger than their individual classroom. All our children understand that wellbeing is a shared responsibility and something that we all need to develop and, support one another with. 

Yes, sometimes, it is easy to forget that school is so much more than learning to read or write. It’s also a special place where we learn to belong, connect, and care for one another, not just our classmates, but everyone who wears the Sacred Heart Kew school uniform every day. What a great place to be. 

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend. 

Kind Regards, 

Ed Weekes 

School Principal