Editorial

Wellbeing in the Primary School 

Many of you will have met Danny Gamble, our Primary Student Wellbeing Coordinator who joined MECS Primary this year. We are excited about the work he is doing to support our transformational focus on a Relational Community. Our commitment to relational community guides us in helping every aspect of our school reflect committed partnerships, mutually supportive relationships and a relationally nurturing environment. 

One wonderful initiative has been the introduction of our Primary School friendship strategy: Friendology. 

Friendology is about empowering kids with friendship skills! It is a consistent, skills-based strategy that teaches kid-friendly concepts, skills and language to help build and maintain healthy friendships: 

• what to expect in friendships 
• how to express feelings around friendships 
• what to do to improve friendships 
• how to make friendships closer and stronger 
• how to stand up for oneself in a kind, respectful way
• how to distinguish between a Friendship Fire and a Mean on Purpose interaction 

We have spent time introducing this within our Primary School classrooms this year and are looking forward to further embedding and developing it in 2025. As part of this you, as parents, will have access to a Parent Portal. This has resources to help families as you support your children through the ups and downs of friendships. Your participation will further embed the common friendship language and skills that students are learning and using at school. Stay tuned for information on how you can be part of this wonderful initiative.