Assistant Principal's Report

Wellbeing at GWPS

Over the last two weeks, we have commenced our partnership with Canine Comprehension, a company that provides dog therapy and animal assisted learning opportunities for individuals and schools. 

Our students are participating in two programs:

Our students are working in mixed age groups, to support relationships across the school and to provide leadership opportunities to some of our older students.  In these sessions, student learn about themselves and others through their learning about dogs. 

The beauty of Canine Comprehension is that dogs can’t speak, so they need to express themselves using body language and movement.  Through these sessions, student learn about emotional vocabulary, feelings and how they can be understood by looking for key behaviours and changes in a dog’s body language.  They also learn about the importance of empathy and caring for another living thing, making sure it’s physical and emotional needs are met.  As they learn about the dog, they also learn about themselves and how to better relate and empathise with others.

I have seen the program in action before and the results can be life changing for children.  We are so please to be able to offer this program to a small selection of students and hope to broaden our scope to include more and more students in the coming years.

Who is visiting our school?

Juliet

Juliet brings a wealth of experience and empathy to her role at Canine Comprehension. With a background in teaching and sports administration, she holds a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Recreation and Sports Management.

Over the years, Juliet has followed her passions, dedicating more than a decade to teaching skiing and snowboarding in ski resorts both in Australia and overseas and working in the sports events industry at major sporting events.

As a part-time educator for Life Education, she taught health, safety, and drug awareness in Primary Schools throughout Victoria. Being a mother of twin boys at Secondary School, Juliet is deeply invested in helping students feel at ease in their school environment and finding ways to foster their connections in diverse learning settings.

Juliet's enthusiasm for dog training knows no bounds. She lovingly devotes time to training her gorgeous girl, Fern, to become the best therapy dog she can be. Juliet is thrilled to be part of the Canine Comprehension team, where she can apply her experience, understanding, and passion to impact students. 

Fern

Fern is a captivating and respectful therapy dog with a heartwarming story. As one of 8 rescue pups, she has grown into a delightful Kelpie X with striking yellow eyes that will catch your attention. Fern's playful spirit comes alive at the beach, where she enjoys swimming, chasing balls, and eagerly learning new tricks for some tasty rewards.

While Fern loves interacting with people, she also shares her home with a fur brother named Eskimo, a ragdoll cat she occasionally likes to engage with playfully. With her inquisitive and friendly nature, Fern embraces social interactions and cherishes being a part of the action; she is always keen not to miss a moment with her human companions.

Fern's engaging demeanour and gentle approach make her a true joy. Whether she's learning new tricks, playing at the beach, or simply showering her friends with affection, Fern brings a sense of excitement and positivity to every interaction she has.

Learn more about Juliet and Fern: https://youtu.be/36XT0CkKS_A

Want to learn more? Visit their website: Supporting children, teachers and parents in the educational space - Canine Comprehension

I look forward to providing an additional update later in the term.