Wellbeing and Engagement
Our Wellbeing Team
I can now confirm that we have appointed Meagan to our school wellbeing team to support our students wellbeing needs.
Meagan is a board certified behavioural analyst.
Her skills are in the practice of identifying and replacing behaviours through the use of identified strategies and skill building.
Meagan is employed by the school to provide support in the following ways:
- Individual support for students in the development and implementation of individual BSP's. (Behaviour Support Plans)
- Social skill development groups.
- Whole class support for tier 1 and 2 behaviours. This includes classroom observations and provision of supporting resources.
- Information for families on supporting their children's wellbeing needs which will be delivered through information in our newsletter and the delivery of targeted sessions which will address topics such as beginning school, anxiety and regulating our own behaviour.
Thao – Paediatric Psychologist
Thao works independently at Newlands to support students and their families. Thao can support students who have NDIS funding or through a referral from a medical practitioner. Please contact me if you are interested in speaking to Thao. Currently she has no vacancies for this term.
Koorie Education Support
We have been working with Tyrell our KESO (Koorie Education Support Officer) to update our school 'Cultural Action Plan' and will complete it this next week. This plan will then be made available to our community through the newsletter.
Tyrell will be available on Thursday 23rd May to support Koorie families through the process of creating cultural plans for their children. I will be contact families next week to arrange meeting times.
Disability Inclusion
We have begun our journey towards transiting from the Program for Students with Disabilities to the Disability Inclusion model. We have attended regional briefings, had support from our SSSO (student support services officer) and been been involved in a DIP practice session which included working through the process with regional representatives.
Under this model we will work towards creating a Disability Inclusion Profile for students who met an initial set of criteria. Key people who understand the student’s education and support needs will complete the profile together.
The transition process at Newlands will occur during 2024 and 2025. The procedure is very lengthy and a great deal of work needs to be undertaken before profiles are completed. You will be contacted if your child could meet the criteria for inclusion in the program and the timeline involved.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any information on this new disability inclusion model.
Student Wellbeing Team News
Our student wellbeing team have began making plans for our school reconciliation week activities.
Reconciliation week begins on the 27th May.
During this week they are planning on inviting students and families to dress in the colours of the aboriginal flag, being involved in art and sports activities during lunch breaks and having a "Welcome to Country". Uncle Trevor Gallagher has confirmed that he is available to undertake our ceremony. This ceremony will be on Wednesday 29th May at 2:30 p.m.
Please keep an eye out for more information in next weeks newsletter.
Lost Property
A big thank you to Jess for sorting through our lost property. She has informed us that there are many pieces of uniform waiting to be collected by their owners. The rack is situated outside the library.
School Nurse Program
Primary School Nursing Program (PSNP) The Primary School Nursing Program (PSNP) is a free health and wellbeing service offered to all Victorian students in their first year of school. The program aims to assist with the early identification of children with potential health, wellbeing or development concerns, which may impact on their education, such as vision, hearing, speech and social skills. Nurses can also see students in grades 1-6, where the family or school have concerns regarding student’s hearing or vision, and where barriers exist to families accessing community audiology and optometry clinics.
Foundation students will have an opportunity to see the school nurse in term 4.
Please contact me if you require a referral for your child to access the nurse program for hearing and sight screening. This is available for children at all grade levels.
Sonya OBrien
Wellbeing Leader