Wellbeing
Dogs Connect Program
Lola has begun her training to be a Wellbeing Dog here at Pilgrim School. It is extremely important that we as a community are also aware of how to best help her settle into her role here at Pilgrim.
Lola’s first job is to learn to relax at school. This is her place of learning and working too, so we need to respect her personal space and safety – just like we do with students, staff and visitors. It’s important that Lola can walk around without unnecessary distractions or feeling unsafe. A relaxed dog is a healthy dog and we need everyone’s help with this.
Therefore, we have three expectations, so when you see Lola, please keep these three things in mind:
Students will be learning this throughout Term 4, and we ask for your support in also being aware of these three expectations.
Once Lola has learnt to relax, her next job will be to learn to meet more people. She will be taking things slowly and being very careful about how she walks, sits, plays, and greets people. This can take a long time but we would love for her to be at Pilgrim School for years so it is important that she takes her time.
Our Core Team Staff Members for the Dogs Connect program are Carol Harry, Yiota Chesterfield, Brett Middleton and Jenni Forder, so please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions.
Term 3 Wrap Up!
This term our Foundation students have begun a social skills foundation course, What’s the Buzz? For Early Learners. This is a well-regarded, highly-structured 16-lesson role-play and play-based programme to explore the benefits of developing social skills and friendships, developed here in South Australia. The Foundations have been helping our friend named Archie navigate a range of social situations and emotions, in order to learn how to become a stronger friend and a more flexible social thinker.
Our Year 2 class have also been working on some social skills via the Primary version of What’s the Buzz. They have enjoyed doing some acting via role plays to demonstrate these skills.
During Term 3, our Year 6 students have taken part in an 8 week programme designed to tackle relevant topics facing young people between the ages of 11-14. Each lesson included a student journal, activities and discussions.
- Year 6 girls – Becoming Women: The topics explored in Becoming Women include: stereotypes, body image, mental health, healthy relationships (friendships) and identifying and using your spark to create a positive impact in your community. The sessions were run by Jenni Forder, Pastoral Care Worker.
- Year 6 boys – Blueprint to Becoming a Man: The topics explored in Blueprint to Becoming a Man include: influence and identity, emotions, mental health and resilience, healthy relationships, and influence and role models. The sessions were run by Mr Brett Middleton, Wellbeing Coordinator.
The Fathering Project has covered the following topics this term:
- Unconditional Love - "Tell them you love them and do it often"
- The BUS Principle - "What your kids really need is you."
We are looking forward to another Fathering Project event in Term 4 – you should have recently seen a Save the Date!
Our Wellbeing Team have continued to support many students via small group activities and one-on-one catch ups.
If you have any questions or require any support regarding your child’s wellbeing, please feel free to get in touch with one of the Wellbeing Team Members.
Kind regards,
Andrew Edmondson, Jenni Forder and Brett Middleton
Wellbeing Team