Wellbeing
Welcome
A warm welcome back to SFS for 2026 to our families and a special welcome to all our new families. For those that do not know me, my name is Rachel Lenko and I am the Mental Health and Wellbeing leader (MHaWL) and Student Wellbeing Leader at the school.
Children’s mental health is fundamental to their development and learning. Good mental health means having a positive sense of wellbeing, coping with challenges and being able to realise individual potential. Unfortunately, not all children experience good mental health. Schools are an ideal platform for promoting children’s mental health. Yet, without resourcing and dedicated training and support, it can be challenging for teachers to navigate increasing mental health issues in the classroom.
Developed by pediatricians, educators, psychologists, researchers, and teachers, the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) program upskills experienced teachers to become Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders and aims to increase the capacity of Victorian primary schools to support the mental health of their students.
Key Facts
- In Australia, 1 in 12 children aged 4-11 years have a diagnosed mental health disorder
- 20 per cent of children experience mental health difficulties that affect their daily living
- The MHiPS program has been rolled out to 100 Victorian Primary Schools so far
- Over 95% of participants in the program agreed the MHWL model had increased whole-school capacity to support student mental health and wellbeing
My role as the MHaWL is to build the capability of the whole school about mental health and wellbeing (identification, promotion and prevention), provide support to staff to better identify and support students with mental health needs, establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention, and monitor and evaluate student progress.
Proudly in partnership with:
If you have any concerns about the mental health and wellbeing of your child, or would like to know more about what programs and supports are available, please do not hesitate to contact me at school or via email, rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
My work days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
PBL
At SFS, our PBL (Positive Behaviours for Learning) school wide expectations are:
Respect,
Responsibility and
Kindness
For the first 2 weeks of school, the teachers will focus with the children on re-establishing school learning routines. Some of these routines include eating inside or outside, beginning and end of day routines, packing up and transitions.
These routines are taught explicitly so children are clear about expected behaviours. The teachers will start handing out PBL acknowledgement cards to children who demonstrate expected behaviours.
If your child brings a card home, please have a chat to them about why they received the card and sign the card so your child can return it to school. The signed cards go into a box in the learning space and each Friday a lucky card is drawn. The child chosen then chooses from the PBL reward menu. Some of the choices include: Come dressed in casual clothes for a day, shooting hoops outside or extra play, principal or teacher assistant or some free time in class. We will have our first raffles next Friday and we will recognize our PBL winners in the newsletter.
SWELL WEEK
SWELL week (Student wellbeing week) this year runs from Friday 30th January until Tuesday 3rd February. We always start the year with a focus on Student Wellbeing and building relationships between students and teachers as well as setting up learning routines and expected behaviours. The children will be playing some games and participating in fun activities to get to know their teachers and class mates. The children will working on a whole school art project that will go up somewhere in the school. Classes also will began to work on a class prayer cloth/object to be used throughout the year.
Twilight Family picnic
On Friday 6th February we will celebrate our welcome picnic at school to mark the start of the year. We invite all parents to come along with the children and your family and bring your picnic blanket, chairs and your dinner and drinks. We will also have an incursion called "Bollywood Bling". This will be a concert of Bollywood dancing to enjoy followed by a workshop for those children and family members that would like to participate.
ACTIVITY DETAILS
Name of Event: Welcome family picnic
Date(s) of Event: Friday 6th February
Time: 5.30 to 7.30pm on the grassed area outside the learning spaces
Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for dancing.
A notice has been sent out on Nforma, please make sure that you respond to the form so we have an idea of how many families are attending. It is a great opportunity for us all to come together and meet the teachers and other families who are part of our SFS school community.
SEASONS for Growth
Seasons for Growth Learning to live with change and loss
Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives. At SFS we recognise that when changes occur such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions and natural disasters children may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering an education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence in Term 1 and run throughout the year.
This program is facilitated in small groups of up to 7 participants and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and develops peer support networks. Participation in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.
If you think your child/ children would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to him/her about it. We are pleased to be able to offer this successful program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those involved. If you require further information please contact Rachel Lenko or speak to your child’s Homegroup teacher about your child participating in the program.
Action for Happiness Calendar February
The theme for the February calendar is Friendly February. The actions are all about being friendly to others and boosting relationships. Why not try some of these actions with your family.
If you have any concerns about the mental health or wellbeing of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available to speak to at school, via the phone or email on rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
My working days this year will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. I will be teaching Music on Wednesdays (11.35 am to 3.15 pm) but will be available Wednesday morning to speak to parents.
Rachel Lenko
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au