Wellbeing
What can I do if my child has an issue at school?
At DCC, the child is at the centre of everything we do. We want everyone at the school to be safe, respected, happy and learning. We have many lessons each week which focusses on teaching children how to behave in different environments and circumstances.
As a school is a place to learn, students will make the wrong choice at times. It is important when these choices occur that we reteach the child with the appropriate behaviour.
If your child expresses that an incident has occurred at school, please notify the teacher and/or leaders in the sub-school.
Leaders:
P/1/2 Team | 3/4/5 Team | 6/7/8 Team |
| Malinda Vaughan – Assistant Principal | Brianna Morelli – Assistant Principal | Jess DeBono – Assistant Principal |
| Ash Haining - Prep | Kyrstie Smith – Grade 3 | Millie Carr – Grade 6 |
| Noah Kim – Grade 1 | Rhiannon Swallow – Grade 4 | Nicholas James – Year 7 |
| Kate DiBattista – Grade 2 | Craig Wiese – Grade 5 | Anne-Marie Boyd – Year 8 |
| Jess McCourt – Leading Teacher P-2 |
When your child discusses their concerns with you:
1. **Listen and Validate**: Start by listening to your child. Let them share their experiences and feelings without interruption. Validate their emotions and reassure them that you're there to support them.
2. **Stay Calm**: It's important to remain calm and composed, even if you're feeling upset or angry about the situation. Your child needs your support and guidance.
3. **Empower Your Child**: Help your child understand that they don't have to tolerate disrespectful behaviour. Teach them strategies to assert themselves, such as confidently telling the other child to stop, using body language, or seeking help from a trusted adult.
4. **Encourage Open Communication**: Let your child know that they can always talk to you about what's happening. Keeping the lines of communication open will help you stay informed about the situation.
5. **Contact the School**: Reach out to the school staff, including teachers and leaders. Provide them with details about the incident so as they can follow up with the other child.
6. **Document the Incidents**: Keep a record of all disrespectful incidents, including dates, times, locations, and any witnesses. This documentation can be useful when discussing the situation with us.
7. **Work with the School**: Collaborate with the school to develop a plan to address the unwanted behaviours. This might involve restorative sessions, interventions, increased supervision for your child.
8. **Encourage Peer Support**: Help your child build positive relationships with other students who play in a positive way with them. Identifying play partners is a great way to redirect children to make great choices when choosing someone to play with.
Remember, each situation is unique, and it's important to tailor the approach to your child's needs and the specifics of the unwanted behaviour.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Kind Regards,
Brianna