Chilwell Primary School

WELLBEING AND INCLUSION

The link between Wellbeing and Improving Student Outcomes

 

 

The Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0) is the Framework that all government schools use for continuous improvement. It was revised in 2022 to place learning and wellbeing at the centre of school improvement. This change was in direct response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and based on advice from professionals. 

 

 

Since the implementation of FISO 2.0, we have initiated many changes to ensure that Wellbeing is a priority alongside Learning. We have a strong Wellbeing Team including an Inclusion Leader, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader and our Respectful Relationships and Resilience Project Leaders. We also have our Wellbeing Groups, Calm Club and Art Club, and we are fortunate to be supported by our School Counsellor, Psychologist and Occupational Therapist.

 

Our School Occupational Therapist, Amy Frueh, recently attended a Professional Learning Session that focused on the Tower of Supports needed to build students up. It was a reminder of how important it is to ensure the foundations are right for regulation and learning to occur. The foundation includes students:

 

  • being able to identify their strengths;
  • having a positive self-identity;
  • having a support network; and
  • knowing they are safe and are in good health. 

 

Only once this layer is strong can the next layer be addressed. Which includes addressing regulation including a regulated sensory system, introducing co-regulation strategies and a regulated emotional system.

 

Once these regulation strategies are in place and working, only then are students ready to target  improved focus, impulse control, memory, planning, flexible thinking, language and problem solving which are all key to success at school. These blocks lead to behaviour, skill development and academics.

 

Our students cannot reach the top blocks without all the foundation blocks underneath. 

Students are all working at different places in the tower but it’s important we focus on building a solid base, then support our students to work their way up. 

 

Virginnia Gilham – Inclusive Practices Leader

Source: Neurowild and https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/fiso/policy