Wellbeing 

Mental Health Month

October is Mental Health month with this year's theme being "Together We Thrive". It's a great reminder to prioritise our mental health and wellbeing. Just as we look after our physical health, it’s important to look after our emotional wellbeing and support our children to do the same.

Families play an important role in helping children feel safe, connected and supported. Small, everyday moments can make a big difference!

Here are some simple tips for families:

• Make time to connect: Enjoy a meal together, play a game or chat about your day without distractions.
• Check in with each other: Ask your child how they’re feeling and listen without rushing to fix things.
• Encourage healthy habits: Regular sleep, physical activity, time outdoors and balanced routines all support wellbeing.
• Make space for big feelings: Remind children that all feelings are okay and help them find positive ways to manage them.
• Stay connected: Encourage friendships, family time and activities your child enjoys.
• Model self-care: Show children that taking breaks, asking for help and talking about feelings are all important parts of looking after ourselves.

Remember, children don’t need us to have all the answers. Often, the most helpful thing we can do is listen, show understanding and remind them they are not alone.

Make wellbeing a priority by creating time to connect, listen and care for one another.

It's National Carers Week!

A timely reminder of the importance of recognising and supporting parents and carers — and helping them find the connection and support they deserve.

For many carers, discovering MyTime can be a turning point: finding people who understand their experiences, feeling less alone and realising support is available. Yet we often hear the same thing from new members:

“I wish I’d known about this group earlier.”

Together, we can help more families find MyTime sooner.

What is MyTime

MyTime is a free peer-support group for parents and carers of children up to 18 years of age with disability, developmental delay or chronic medical conditions. It offers a welcoming space to connect with others who understand, access helpful information and resources, and enjoy some much-needed time for themselves.

Our Warrandyte group meets fortnightly on Friday mornings, 10am – 12pm, at Warrandyte Community Church (57 Yarra Street). Sessions include guest speakers, self-care activities, free morning tea and a Play Leader to meaningfully engage preschool children, including siblings, in play.

Day for Daniel 2026

We have registered to participate in Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day on Friday, 30 October 2026. 

Championing child safety across Australia, Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest national event dedicated to child safety education and awareness. It’s a day of action that promotes safer communities and empowers children to Recognise, React, and Report when they feel unsafe.

Children are encouraged to wear a touch of red on the day. Full school uniform is still required however they might like to add red socks, a red scarf or red accessories like a bracelet, hair ribbon or bandana. Children are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation on the day to donate to this very worthy cause.

Free Australian resources that provide practical strategies and advice for supporting children's mental health and wellbeing:

• Be You – Evidence-based information for families on children's mental health, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
• Raising Children Network – Expert parenting advice on managing anxiety, stress, emotions, friendships and building resilience.
• Kids Helpline – Resources for children, young people and parents, plus free counselling for children aged 5–25.
• Beyond Blue – Practical information to help families understand anxiety, stress and mental health.
• Smiling Mind – Free mindfulness activities and guided meditations suitable for children and families.
• The Resilience Project – Simple wellbeing strategies focused on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness that families can practise together.

Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Supports

Reward System

SWPBS focuses on multi-tiered interventions to promote positive behaviours. As part of the approach to enabling a strong school culture which embodies our school values, we have put in place a whole school sticker rewards system.

Aim of the Reward System

At DPS we have implemented a reward system to reward positive behaviours that are necessary for promoting a positive and supportive school environment. These positive behaviours are based on our four values of Compassion, Resilience, Respect and Responsibility. Part of our reward system includes the handing out of stickers which are distributed by staff when the students are "caught" displaying one or more of the values.