Student Wellbeing
Our 3Bs - Be Respectful, Be Safe and Be a Learner: Shared expectations to support student behaviour and learning.
A strong partnership between teachers and parents is the foundation of a school where every student can belong, learn, and thrive. Today, working together is more important than ever as we support our children’s academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical growth.
Social learning and behaviour are a big part of this journey. When schools and families team up to set clear, consistent and shared expectations, we create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone. As parents and carers, your guidance and support for our school behaviour policies and practices at home is vital to helping our students succeed. Together, we achieve the best outcomes for our kids at St Joseph's!
How students demonstrate expected behaviours
At St Joseph's school, all students are expected to be respectful, safe and be a learner and also to allow for learning to occur for all. These behaviours help make our schools a place where everyone can succeed. Students meet these behaviour expectations by being respectful, safe and engaged in their learning.
Be Respectful
Examples include:
- Following staff instructions and school rules.
- Caring for school property and others’ belongings.
- Using respectful language.
Be Safe
Examples include:
- Keeping themselves and others safe from harm.
- Speaking up or seeking help from an adult if they or someone else is being treated unfairly.
- Only bringing safe and necessary items to school.
Be A Learner
Examples include:
- Going to school every day, being on time and ready to learn.
- Taking part, doing their best and asking for help when they need.
- Knowing and following the school’s policies, including the mobile phone policy.
How parents and carers can help
By modelling and encouraging positive behaviour, you help your child build the skills and habits they need to be successful at school. When families and schools work together, students can achieve their best. Parents and carers can help support their child’s behaviour to be respectful, safe and an engaged learner.
Be Respectful
Examples include:
- Knowing the school’s rules and supporting them at home.
- Modelling respectful behaviour in how you speak to and about school staff, families, and others both in person and online.
- Making use of the school’s processes to raise and resolve concerns early.
Be Safe
Examples include:
- Working together with staff if your child is having problems at school to understand and resolve the issue.
- Ensuring your child knows it is okay to ask for help from a trusted adult at school.
- Ensuring your child stays safe online by talking with them and addressing concerns early.
Be A Learner
Examples include:
- Helping your child to attend school every day.
- Communicating with school staff and working together to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.
Talking with your child about their day and how they are feeling and encouraging their learning by noticing their effort and progress.
We know that some students and their families can occasionally strugggle with school attendance or navigating school refusal. Here are some resources that can help:
How schools support students to meet behaviour expectations
By teaching and reinforcing positive behaviour, schools ensure positive, safe and fair learning environments with a focus on learning and wellbeing.
Schools support families and students by being respectful, safe and an engaged learner.
Be Respectful
Examples include:
- Teaching and demonstrating school rules and positive behaviour expectations to students.
- Explicitly teaching, modelling and acknowledging expected respectful behaviour.
- Engaging collaboratively and positively with all students, parents and carers.
Be Safe
Examples include:
- Having clear policies and procedures to prevent and respond to bullying and keep students safe.
- Offering additional supports to students proactively and supporting students to speak up and seek help.
- Proactively identifying and addressing problems to maintain a physically, socially and culturally safe school environment.
Be A Learner
Examples include:
- Delivering evidence-based, inclusive education that meets the needs of all students.
- Empowering students to have a say in decisions that affect their learning and school life.
- Building strong, trusting relationships to ensure all students feel seen, heard and valued.
Where parents and carers can go for help
If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, behaviour or safety you can:
- Talk to your child’s teacher as the first step and follow the school’s process for communicating concerns.
- Ask the school for support or a referral – they can connect you with myself (Student Wellbeing Leader) or other Leadership Staff (Monica O'Shannassy - principal, Megan Barber, Deputy Principal or Jacqui Hayes, Learning Diversity)
The following resources are also available: Click on these links
- Raising Children Network – provides advice for parents and carers of school-aged, pre-teens and teens.
- eSafety Commissioner – advice for parents and carers to help keep children safe online.
- Bully Stoppers – advice for parents and carers about bullying.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in working together to foster an all-inclusive education for your child and in ensuring every student at St Joseph's can belong, learn and thrive.
Kind regards,
Jenny Todd
(Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader)
jennyt@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au
