Warrnambool Primary School Newsletter

Wellbeing

Term 2 - Week 8

Next week student will focus on:

Lesson Focus - Problem Solving - Consequences of emotional responses in a range of situations. Persist with challenging tasks.

Positive People Focus - To show confidence to complete difficult tasks.

 

LUNCTHIME ACTIVITIES - POKEMON TCG BATTLE

Each week the school runs lunchtime activities.

There is a new activity organised for Thursday lunchtimes being Pokemon TCG battles.

For Term 2, Grade 5 and 6 students are invited to compete in friendly Pokemon battles.

Students can bring their own 60 card decks from home and for those interested to play but do not have their own deck, there are limited decks available for use.

This is a strictly NO trading policy at the lunchtime activity and throughout the school day.

Students can talk to Ross to find out more.

PEACEFUL KIDS PROGRAM

This term the Wellbeing team are running a Peaceful Kids groups to build skills around anxiety and stress management in our students. The groups are currently occurring in the Year 5-6 area, and will extend to the Year 3-4 area in later terms of 2024. 

A modified classroom program will roll out to ALL our Foundation to Year 2 students during Term 2 and 3. 

Please contact the Wellbeing team if you are seeking support for your child’s anxiety symptoms and stress management skills, if you believe they could benefit from the program or would like a tip sheet for how you can support your child at home. 

BREAKFAST CLUB

This year we have had a positive uptake for Breakfast Club. 

The School Breakfast Clubs program provides more than just nutritious food – it improves concentration, builds social skills, and gives kids a better chance to create a bright future for themselves through learning. All students are welcome to attend with the program operating each Monday and Friday in BER from 8.15am to 8.45am.

 

Warrnambool Primary School Wellbeing Team

Wellbeing Teacher - Tonya Ferguson

Days of work Monday to Thursday 

The state government’s roll out of the school mental health menu funds have allowed us to employ a ‘wellbeing teacher’ in 2024 who will:

  • Promote Positive Mental Health within the entire school community.
  • Support the implementation of mental health and wellbeing, through face to face teaching of students in the classroom.  
  • Enable schools to provide early intervention to support students who may be at risk or disengagement or mental health concerns, through individual or group work, guided by the need of the students. 
  • Provide targeted and more individualised support for students who need it, through programs offered in school and referrals to services and supports available in our community. 
  • Provide support to classroom teachers and school leadership in the development and management of required Individual Support Plans that promote both staff and student wellbeing. 

Student Wellbeing and Counsellor- Jess Arnott

Days of work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Is a qualified social worker whose role at Warrnambool Primary School is varied, with an overall my aim to ensure every student’s wellbeing is supported and advocated for. 

To do this Jess will; 

  • Enhance the capacity to develop positive and engaging school culture and to support students who are at risk of disengagement and not achieve their educational potential. 
  • Conduct one-on-one counselling for students for a variety of reasons, individual to student needs. These sessions promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
  •  When required complete or support families with referrals to services including mental health services, CAMHS, DFFL, orange door, psychologists, family violence services and more. 
  • To focus on priorities, particularly in tackling bullying and supporting students with mental health or welfare issues.
  • To support a case management approach to student interventions, including participating in student support groups and conduct follow ups.
  • To work in partnership with school and community-based and students support services and networks to develop programs that promote health and wellbeing.

There are many wonderful support services within our community. One of those is through Wellways and South West Health Care. They offer one-on-one mental health support for people aged 16-24 years who live in Warrnambool. For more information please call Wellways on 1300 111 400.