Wellbeing

Building Positive Habits, Respect and Inclusion in Term 4

We've had a positive start to Term 4 at Old Orchard, with students continuing to explore important social and emotional skills through our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) and Respectful Relationships programs.

During the first three weeks, our wellbeing learning has focussed on:

• Week 1: Being Responsible. Wearing our school uniform with pride, remembering our hats and making SunSmart choices.
• Week 2: Being Kind. Exploring inclusion, fairness and challenging gender stereotypes through our Respectful Relationships lessons. Students have been encouraged to recognise that everyone deserves to feel included, valued and respected.
• Week 3: Being Your Best. Demonstrating honesty, trustworthiness and self-control by respecting learning tasks, classroom equipment and school resources.

These lessons help students understand that our school values show up in the small choices they make every day, whether that's looking after shared equipment, including someone in a game, or taking responsibility for their actions.

This Week's Family Wellbeing Focus: Respecting Our Learning and Resources

Our Week 3 focus is "I respect learning tasks and school resources." This week, we've encouraged students to show honesty and self-control by caring for the materials and spaces that help everyone learn.

Families can reinforce this learning at home through a simple activity called "Respect in Action."

Choose a shared activity, such as cooking, playing a board game, completing a puzzle or doing some craft together. Before starting, ask your child:

• How can we show respect for the things we're using?
• What can we do if something gets broken or we make a mistake?
• How can we show self-control when something doesn't go our way?
• Why is it important to look after things that other people use too?

Afterwards, take a moment to recognise something your child did well. It might be sharing equipment, packing away independently, being honest about a mistake or showing patience when something was tricky.

A little positive reinforcement goes a long way! Try saying, "I noticed how carefully you looked after everything today. That showed real responsibility and self-control."

Looking Ahead to Week 4: Celebrating Differences and Including Everyone

Next week, students will continue exploring Gender Norms and Stereotypes through our Respectful Relationships program, with a focus on being inclusive, fair, brave and compassionate.

Students will explore how interests, abilities, and personal strengths differ for everyone, and why we should avoid assuming what someone can or cannot do based on whether they are a boy or a girl.

Families can support these conversations by encouraging children to try different activities, celebrating their individual interests and reminding them that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate and feel included. Next week, we'll also share an activity you can run at home to support this.

Thanks to our Old Orchard families for continuing to reinforce these important values at home. When school and families work together, we help children develop the confidence, kindness and social skills they need to thrive.

If you have any questions about our wellbeing programs or would like additional support, please contact Adam Todd at adam.todd@education.vic.gov.au.