Wellbeing Report

Flying Start: Helping Our Students Soar from Day One

Our Flying Start program is a special way we support students to begin the school year feeling confident, calm and ready to learn. We know that starting a new year can bring big feelings - excitement, curiosity and sometimes a few nerves too - and Flying Start is designed to help every child settle in smoothly.

During Flying Start, students spend time getting to know their teacher, classmates and classroom routines. The focus is on building strong relationships, developing a sense of belonging, and revisiting clear expectations in a positive and supportive way. Rather than diving straight into academic work, we prioritise wellbeing, connection and confidence - because children learn best when they feel safe and settled.

The program includes:

• Gentle transitions into classroom routines
• Activities that build friendships and teamwork
• Clear and consistent expectations for learning and behaviour
• Opportunities for students to share feelings, ask questions and feel heard

Flying Start also gives teachers valuable time to get to know each child as an individual - their strengths, interests and any worries they may have - so they can provide the right support from the very beginning.

We are proud of our Flying Start program and the positive impact it has on our students. By taking the time to begin the year thoughtfully and intentionally, we set our children up not just for a strong start, but for a successful year of learning and growth.

As a culmination of the Flying Start program and to celebrate the beginning of another exciting school year, students in Grades 1 - 6 will take part in our Flying Start Celebration Day on Friday 13th February.

On the day, students will enjoy a variety of fun tabloid sports and activities on the oval, designed to promote teamwork, participation and school spirit. It will be a joyful way for students to connect with their peers and celebrate a positive start to the year.

Students are asked to come dressed in their house colours, along with their school hat and runners, ready for an active and fun-filled day.

We are really looking forward to sharing this special celebration with our students and kicking off the year in such a positive way. If you have any questions about the day, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with your child’s classroom teacher.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we help our students feel confident, connected and ready to soar.

Character Strengths: Helping Our Students Be Their Best

At our school, we believe that learning is about more than academics - it’s also about developing the personal qualities that help children thrive at school and in life. These qualities are known as character strengths, and they include things like kindness, empathy, perseverance, respect and optimism.

When children understand their strengths and are encouraged to use them, they build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. Knowing “what I’m good at” helps students navigate challenges, build positive relationships and make thoughtful choices - both in and out of the classroom.

This year, we will be shining a spotlight on a Super Strength every fortnight. Each Super Strength will be explicitly taught, discussed and celebrated across the school, helping students recognise and practise these strengths in everyday situations.

Parents and carers play a powerful role in helping children develop their strengths. You can support this by:

• Talking with your child about the Super Strength and what it looks like in daily life
• Noticing and naming strengths when you see them (“That was very kind of you”)
• Encouraging your child to practise their strengths at home, with siblings, friends and in the community
• Modelling strengths through your own actions and language

Super Strength #1: Kindness

Our first Super Strength for the year is Kindness. Kindness means caring about others, using gentle words and actions, helping when someone needs support and including others so they feel valued and safe. Kindness can be big - like standing up for someone - or small - like sharing, smiling or offering help without being asked.

How parents can help grow kindness

• Encourage your child to notice how others might be feeling
• Praise kind choices, no matter how small
• Talk about kind solutions when challenges or conflicts arise
• Look for simple opportunities to practise kindness, such as helping at home or checking in on a friend

By working together, we can help our children develop strong character, positive relationships and a caring school community where everyone feels they belong. We look forward to celebrating kindness - and many more Super Strengths - throughout the year.

Starting Back at School: Big Feelings Are Normal

As we begin another school year, our classrooms are once again filled with smiles, chatter and the buzz of new beginnings. For many children, returning to school is exciting - new teachers, new friends and new learning. For others, it can also bring a few butterflies. And for some, it’s a mix of both!

It’s completely normal for children to experience big feelings at the start of the year. 

You might notice your child feeling nervous, clingy, or even upset at drop-off. Some children may cry or find it hard to separate from their parents in the morning. While this can be tough to see, please know that these feelings are a very common part of settling back into school and usually ease quite quickly once routines are established.

Our staff are very experienced in supporting children through these moments. We provide calm reassurance, gentle encouragement and lots of care to help students feel safe and confident as they transition into their school day.

How parents can help at home and at drop-off:

• Acknowledge feelings - Let your child know it’s okay to feel nervous or unsure. Naming feelings helps children feel understood.
• Keep goodbyes short and positive - A quick, confident goodbye sends the message that school is a safe and happy place.
• Stick to routines - Consistent morning and afternoon routines help children feel secure and know what to expect.
• Talk positively about school - Share excitement about learning, friendships and fun activities.
• Build independence gradually - Small steps, like carrying their own bag or walking into the classroom with confidence, can make a big difference.

Most importantly, trust that children are incredibly resilient. With time, patience, and support from both home and school, they settle in, find their rhythm and begin to thrive.

Thank you for working in partnership with us as we support every child to feel safe, supported and ready to learn. Here’s to a wonderful year ahead - full of growth, learning, and plenty of smiles.