From Our School Leaders

Welcome to our new Mental Health and Wellbeing newsletter. The purpose of this new format is to shine a light on the positive mental health and wellbeing things that we do here at Scoresby Primary School, and to provide parents with information on how they can support their child with their mental health and wellbeing. We hope you enjoy the new format.

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Schools - MHiPS

This year, our school has been fortunate to be participating in the Mental Health in Primary School’s initiative. This has come about after extensive research into the increase in mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by school-aged children. The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MWHL) is being fulfilled this year by Nicole Rheumer, our Assistant Principal.

The role of the MHWL includes promoting a whole school approach to student mental health and wellbeing, building the capacity of staff to support student mental health, and to strengthen the links between school and external support services.

Currently at Scoresby Primary School, we apply a whole school approach to wellbeing. This is a consistent, evidence-based approach, which is central to our daily practice and learning. It is well documented that a strong sense of wellbeing helps students thrive. I look forward continuing to build upon the strong practices in place at our wonderful school.

The diagram below is a comprehensive picture of the components of the new role. Unpacking each of the ‘puzzle' pieces will help to build the capacity of our wonderful school community to better meet the wellbeing needs of our students. Evidence shows that by so doing, students will be better equipped to progress and thrive in the educational process.

This is an exciting opportunity for our school community, and I am very much looking forward to connecting with our beautiful community at Scoresby PS and supporting our students.

What Is Mental Health And Wellbeing?

The World Health Organisation uses these definitions:

Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Wellbeing encompasses quality of life and the ability of people and societies to contribute to the world with a sense of meaning and purpose.

Here at Scoresby Primary School, wellbeing involves a student's emotional, mental, physical and social health, and includes how the student thinks and feels about themselves and their life generally.

Recent research collected the perspectives of over 600 primary and secondary school students across Australia to explore their understanding of 'wellbeing' and the most effective ways to support it (Powell et al., 2018). The students conceptualised wellbeing through three interconnected domains of 'being', 'having' and 'doing':

'Being' - Students identified wellbeing as a state of 'being' that existed when their needs were met and when they experienced a sense of satisfaction. For example, being happy, loved, cared for, connected, wanted, safe and healthy.
'Having' - Students conceptualised wellbeing in relation to 'having' support, rights and social justice. For example, having a voice, justice, fairness, help with schoolwork, good friendships, communication and respect.
'Doing' - Students also understood wellbeing in relation to their own actions. For example, looking after oneself, accepting yourself and others, making good decisions, and performing acts of generosity and kindness.

Education Week Events

Yesterday we opened our school for the annual Grandparents' and Special Friends' morning, and Open Night - Celebrating Cultures.

Thank you to all those who were able to make it in. It is special and memorable for children to have their nearest and dearest come into school and see their world.

Children attend school for six-and-a-half hours, 5 days a week, and they come home each day and share what they’ve done and tell you about their day.

It’s a different thing when children can show you about what goes on at school. They always remember these occasions.

Our own children look back on those photos of Grandparents’ and Special Friends' Day at school with great fondness, and we are sure yours will too.