Wellbeing News
Wellbeing Update
Bullying No Way Week
This week, our school community is recognising Bullying No Way Week, which is a National initiative that gives us all an important opportunity to promote kindness, inclusion, respect and a strong sense of belonging for every student at St Kevin’s. Our students watched the Bullying No Way Week webinar that was run by Kids Helpline and many students showed their support by wearing purple to school on Monday. Throughout this week, students have created a class pledge to show their support and will also participate in a range of activities designed to build awareness, encourage positive relationships and reinforce that everyone at St Kevin’s has a role to play in creating a safe and supportive school environment.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) focus for this fortnight is “I use a growth mindset and the St Kevin’s Learning Pit.” A growth mindset encourages students to see learning as a process and to understand that effort, persistence, reflection and learning from mistakes can help us improve. When we show this expected behaviour we are showing the school value of RESILIENCE.
When asking some of our Year 3 students what using a growth mindset might look like they suggested:
- “I can’t do this yet, but I can keep trying.”
- Asking for help when you are stuck.
- Learning from your mistakes.
The St Kevin’s Learning Pit provides students with a shared language for understanding that learning is not always easy. At times, we may feel confused, frustrated or stuck, but these experiences are a normal and valuable part of learning. We explicitly teach this behaviour because we want students to develop the confidence and strategies to persevere when learning feels challenging, rather than giving up.
By explicitly teaching these behaviours, we help students recognise what a growth mindset looks and sounds like, practise strategies for navigating challenges, and develop greater independence and resilience as learners. It has been wonderful to hear this language around the classrooms in recent days! Let’s encourage our children to learn and grow from their mistakes and keep trying.
Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) Learning Community
This week, my MHiPS Learning Community session explored how we can move beyond what we teach in social and emotional learning to consider how we teach it. Our focus was on the everyday pedagogical practices that can support student mental health and wellbeing.
We reflected on the ways in which our interactions, classroom practices and teaching approaches can contribute to students feeling safe, connected, capable and supported. It was a valuable opportunity to consider how small, intentional practices embedded throughout the school day can make a meaningful difference to student wellbeing and create learning environments where all students can thrive. We know how important it is to a child’s learning to feel safe and supported at school.
Sensory Garden
Our Sensory Garden group have planted some seeds this week (peas, snow peas, broadbeans and carrots) and have been adding in some more succulents that have been donated for this project by some of our staff members. It was great to enjoy some sunshine and get planting early this week!
Child Safe Standard 7
Child Safe Standard 7 means children know they can speak up if they feel unsafe, worried or uncomfortable. At St Kevin’s we listen to children, take their concerns seriously and respond in a supportive and child-friendly way. Children are reminded who they can talk to and are supported to feel safe when making a complaint or raising a concern.
Please find the following MACS Parent Newsletter relating to this Child Safe Standard.
