Wellbeing @ St John's

Wellbeing for our Children

I can’t believe it is Week 7 already!

It’s hard to believe we are only a handful of Fridays away from Christmas, this year truly feels like it’s flying by. With so many wonderful events happening across the school, there is a real sense of excitement in the air. At the same time, it’s important to remember that this period can also bring a wave of mixed emotions for our children.

As they begin thinking about transitioning to a new class, a new teacher, or for our Year 6 students, a whole new school, it’s completely natural for a little nervousness to surface.

In the busyness of wrapping up another school year, let’s take a moment to pause and remind ourselves to take care of our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our little people. Finding small pockets of calm, whether it’s a quiet chat, a slow walk, or simply sitting together can make a big difference. Amid the excitement and anticipation, let’s cherish these moments of connection as we close out the school year together.

💛 World Kindness Day

Last Thursday, our school celebrated World Kindness Day with activities woven through our SEL curriculum. Each class took part in meaningful conversations and creative tasks that explored what kindness looks like in action, both big and small. Students engaged in little acts of kindness throughout the day, from thoughtful words to helpful hands, reminding us all how powerful simple gestures can be. World Kindness Day serves as a beautiful reminder that kindness isn’t a once-a-year event, but something we can choose and cultivate every single day.

The Resilience Project (TRP)

We are delighted to acknowledge Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project, on his recent nomination as the Victorian Australian of the Year. This nomination reflects his incredible contribution to mental health education and the positive impact his work continues to have on young people, families, and school communities across Australia.

Hugh’s message of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness, the core pillars of The Resilience Project, aligns beautifully with our school’s commitment to nurturing the whole child. His work reminds us that emotional wellbeing is not something taught in a single lesson, but something practised, lived and modelled every day.

Our school chose to be part of The Resilience Project because it provides a consistent, evidence-based approach to supporting student wellbeing. We see firsthand how the program helps our students develop greater emotional awareness, resilience and confidence. The activities, reflections and classroom conversations it inspires are creating calmer, more connected and more compassionate learning environments.

Given the positive impact we've seen this year, we are excited to continue our partnership with The Resilience Project into 2026. We believe strongly in the long-term benefits of embedding these practices into daily school life and look forward to strengthening our wellbeing culture even further in the year ahead. Check out the link below to take you to the TRP hub.

TRP @Home

As we move through this busy and exciting time of year, I encourage everyone to find a few quiet moments to pause and appreciate the little things that make life truly amazing. Whether it’s a shared smile, a peaceful cup of tea, a moment of laughter, or simply a deep breath, these small moments of calm and gratitude can make all the difference.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and your families as we head toward the end of the year. Thank you for your ongoing support, kindness, and partnership. It is deeply appreciated, and it’s what makes our school community such a special place.

Wishing you a week filled with moments of gratitude. Please reach out if I can help with anything.

Tracey Farrar (Wellbeing Leader)

tfarrar@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au