Wellbeing
Kara Bogicevic
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
2026 is my tenth year at Kingswood! I have had many and varied roles during this time; from classroom teacher, to Tutor Learning Initiative Coordinator (post covid), Wellbeing Dog Handler and now expanding the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) role to three days per week. At the core of each of these roles, is my passion to support students and their families, so that each student is at school and ready to learn.
As Kingswood’s MHWL, I will undertake training provided by Melbourne University and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute as part of the Education Department’s Mental Health in Primary Schools Initiative. I will also participate in a Learning Community with other leaders from across Victoria. The role of the MHWL is to build the capability of the whole school with regard to 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.
Our whole-school approach to wellbeing includes the Victorian Curriculum (Health Curriculum and Personal and Social Capability), as well as continuing to deliver Respectful Relationships lessons. This school-wide approach is also part of the Victorian Curriculum and taught across all year levels in ways that are age-appropriate for our students.
The Respectful Relationships curriculum intertwines perfectly with Friendology (from URSTRONG). Friendology is a friendship curriculum that we trialled in all year levels in semester 2 last year. Through 8 core lessons taught in Term 1, Friendology teaches children the simple language of navigating friendships and learn tools and strategies for when friendship disputes do arise.
Familes are also invited to take advantage of a FREE Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources – including an 8 session video series. This allows parents & carers to learn the same language & strategies being taught in our classrooms through the Friendology curriculum. Families will then be able to reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion and kindness at home.
Our students are also supported by our Kingswood Wellbeing Dogs, Leo and Hana. Both have recently completed reaccreditation with their handlers; Mr Aaron Cox, Mrs Sharon Lomas and myself. Leo and Hana work with individuals or small groups of students to build connectedness to school, reduce anxiety and develop emotional regulation skills. If you see us in the yard, please ask if you can have a pat!
In 2025 we also introduced the Peaceful Kids positive psychology and mindfulness program. Small groups of students, who have been identified by their teachers or the wellbeing team, participate in an evidence-based 8 week program designed to lessen anxiety and stress and increase resilience in children. This program helps students to build their emotional resilience so they are better equipped to deal with the day to day stresses that life brings them.
Throughout the year, I will share information and resources in our newsletter to keep you informed and supported. Together as a community we can promote positive mental health at home and at school. Please feel free to reach out at any time.
kara.bogicevic@education.vic.gov.au
