Student Wellbeing and Support

Student Wellbeing

Student wellbeing continues to be a central priority at Pilgrim School, with a whole-school approach grounded in our values of Belong, Explore, Flourish and Serve. Our aim is to nurture each child's emotional, social, and spiritual development, fostering a deep sense of safety, identity and purpose.

The Friendology program continues to be embedded across the school, with staff maintaining a consistent and confident whole-school approach to building positive relationships and student resilience. In 2025, Pilgrim School held two dedicated Wellbeing Days, each offering students a unique and enriching experience. The first celebrated our connection to Indonesia - a thread woven through our curriculum - with students participating in eco-printing on calico bags, combining creativity, culture and sustainability in a hands-on way. The second featured a special visit from a former Pilgrim student, Micah Sarre, who has built a remarkable business designing and constructing intricate Lego models of iconic buildings and customers' vehicles. He generously shared his story and techniques before setting students loose on building challenges of their own - a wonderful example of creativity, persistence and entrepreneurial spirit in action.

Wellbeing is embedded into both curriculum and staffing structures. Teaching staff continued to receive additional Non-Instruction Time (NIT) dedicated to wellbeing planning and implementation, recognising the vital role teacher capacity and modelling plays in supporting students holistically.

In 2025, our Wellbeing Team was strengthened with two significant additions. Jordan joined the team as a dedicated Student Counsellor one day per week, providing professional support for students navigating social, emotional and personal challenges. Billie Jo Cook was appointed as School Chaplain in Term 4 2025, with a focus on supporting the wellbeing of our staff - a meaningful acknowledgement that a thriving school community begins with a thriving team. Our Wellbeing Team continues to meet regularly to monitor student needs, coordinate responses, and strengthen the care and connection that defines life at Pilgrim.

Lola, our wellbeing dog, remains a beloved and valued member of our school community. Her gentle presence continues to offer comfort and connection to students, particularly those experiencing separation anxiety or emotional regulation challenges. Since the introduction of the Lola Postbox - where students can write letters, notes and pictures to Lola - she has responded to over 220 student communications, reflecting the special bond she has built with our community.

The Grandbuddies program continued to be a highlight of our community life in 2025. This intergenerational initiative connects Pilgrim students with senior members of Seeds Church for shared activities, conversation and friendship - nurturing belonging, empathy and service in deeply practical ways. The program received wonderful recognition this year when Pilgrim School was presented with an Every Generation Award by the City of Onkaparinga Council, affirming the meaningful impact this initiative has on both our students and the broader community.

2025 also brought a number of new initiatives that enriched the wellbeing landscape of the school. A Garden Club was established, meeting weekly at lunchtime and giving students the opportunity to grow, tend and harvest produce - with excess vegetables and herbs sold to families through a pop-up stall, teaching both sustainability and community contribution. A student prayer group also emerged organically following the Year 4/5 camp experience, reflecting the genuine faith community that exists among our students. Additionally, two Fathering Project events were held during the year, supporting father figures in our community to engage meaningfully in their children's lives and education.

Staff wellbeing was also celebrated in 2025, with Pilgrim School winning a staff appreciation day through Compass. Staff were treated to a juice bar and relaxing back and shoulder massages - a small but heartfelt recognition of the dedication and care our team brings to school life every day.

Inclusive Education

The Inclusive Education Team (formerly named Diverse Learning Te plays a vital role in ensuring every student at Pilgrim can access the curriculum and participate fully in school life. Working across Foundation to Year 6, the team partners with class teachers to deliver support through in-class assistance, targeted small group instruction, and 1:1 intervention where needed - as well as supporting students during camps, excursions, sporting events and lunchtime activities.

Pilgrim applies Universal Design for Learning as a whole-school framework, ensuring that multiple means of engagement, presentation, and expression are embedded into classroom practice. This approach removes barriers to learning for all students - not only those with identified additional needs - and supports teachers to plan with inclusion in mind from the outset.

Where students require more targeted support, the team draws on a range of evidence-based intervention programs including MiniLit and MacqLit for literacy, and Back to Front Maths for numeracy. Individual Learning Plans are developed collaboratively with families and teaching staff to ensure the goals, adjustments, and progress of students requiring additional learning support are clearly documented and regularly reviewed.

Student needs are identified through careful observation, assessment data, and ongoing communication between class teachers, the Inclusive Education Team, and families. The team also participates in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) process each year, fulfilling legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005, and ensuring the school's support practices are accurately reported.

Beyond intervention, the team also provides enrichment opportunities, supporting students to activate their strengths and pursue learning with confidence and curiosity. Practical experiences, including gardening, cooking, and creative arts, complement classroom learning and provide meaningful contexts for students to develop social communication, executive function, and independent learning skills.

A much-loved member of the Inclusive Education Team is Pretzel, our resident bearded dragon, whose calm presence provides comfort and connection for students who benefit from a gentle, sensory-friendly interaction during their day.

Throughout all of these initiatives, our commitment remains constant - to know every child, support every family, and build a community where all can truly belong, explore, flourish and serve.