Deputy Principal

BEXLEY

I am so proud of the wonderful way our students are interacting with Bexley. I have received numerous feedback from parents about the way he is maturing and developing his skills as a wellbeing dog. Bexley loves to greet everyone at the gate in the mornings and afternoons and shows that he is comfortable and happy when he rolls over for a belly rub! He is spending more time in the classrooms and is getting used to all the sounds of the playground. The best thing I have noticed is when Bexley and I enter a classroom and everyone follows the 3 expectations:

1. Greet the person
2. Give space
3. Don't stare, keep moving

When we follow these expectations, Bexley feels safe and relaxed and loves nothing more than simply being part of the learning environment.

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SUPPORT STAFF

We are so fortunate at St Mary's to have wonderfully dedicated Learning Support Staff in all our classrooms. With patience, compassion, and connection, they walk alongside our students, helping them grow in confidence academically, socially and emotionally. Last week we celebrated their commitment to supporting our inclusive practices, embedding engagement for learning and supporting individual needs.

SEL Toolkit Element: Problem Solved

Who can help me?

The current focus in out Wellbeing Lessons is using our problem solving skills when we are faced with challenges. We are encouraging students to take a moment to think...

• Can I fix it myself?
• Can I get help from a friend?
• Should I ask a teacher for support?
• Should I talk to my parents about it?

By explicitly teaching children how to problem solve, we are building their self-esteem and confidence to be resilient members of the community. It is important for children to be able to triage their problems and use perspective when faced with adversity.