Student Wellbeing

Start Up Weeks - Welcoming Everyone Back!

During our first few weeks known as Start-Up Weeks, much time and effort is put into

 building the relationships and connections between teacher to student, student to teacher and student to student as they adjust to and establish a sense of belonging in their new learning space.  CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) believes that this is the time where the foundations to a successful year of learning are being layed.  MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools) eXcel wheel explains this importance through Enable, Connect, Engage and Learn and the pivotal foundations that must be established  for each aspect of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) and ALL rigorous learning to be possible in an educational setting.   

We've also loved seeing the bright displays that help us get-to-know the students in each space a little better! 

Mindfulness - Box Breathing Tools

This year, the students and staff from St Joseph's School will explore more deeply the benefits of Mindfulness Practice and Breathing in assisting students in their self-regulation and co-regulation and to maximise engagement and readiness to learn through the use of this 'superpower'.  The students have been learning about Box Breathing as a self-regulation strategy during Start Up Week activities and have made a tool to assist them with this strategy.

Box breathing can be a powerful tool for anxiety and regulating the breath, but some kids find it difficult to remember and access this strategy when they are upset, and so the students have been making a tool to provide a sensory motor support to help them.  They used pipe cleaners and beads and formed into a square to assist their counting of the breaths and pauses as they slide the beads along.  

The students have been asked to bring these home to practise using during times of big emotions or when they need a strategy to assist them in calming down.  These can be attached to a backpack, a pencil case or even a cushion or pillow.  Designed by Dr Monica Jackson, she believes, "There's something about the sliding of the beads that helps to get people who are so in their heads to get back into their bodies."

Watch this short video to explain this technique a little more:  

What is Box Breathing ? How does it help us to calm and regulate our feelings and emotions?

This is a beneficial strategy for people of all ages to try! Remember it takes training and practice but persevering will pay great dividends in assisting yours and your child's wellbeing. 

Kind Regards,

Jenny Todd

(Student Wellbeing Leader)

jennyt@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au