A message from the Principal

Those of you who saw the ABC's 'Four Corners' program earlier this week will have been as confronted as I was by the children who are experiencing 'school refusal' and the terrible toll that this has on them and their families.

School refusal, characterised by a child's reluctance or refusal to attend school due to anxiety or other emotional distress, can have significant implications on academic performance, social development, and overall wellbeing. It's a complex issue that requires a compassionate and multi-faceted approach.

Research shows that anxiety and other mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents and, as a result, rates of school refusal are increasing rapidly. 

Therefore, as a school, it is vital that we prioritise the implementation of wellbeing practices that understand the diverse perspectives and pressures felt by our students and respond compassionately.

At St Kilda Park, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student feels included, supported, and valued. We understand that addressing school refusal goes beyond simply encouraging attendance; it's about creating a culture of empathy and understanding, where students feel safe to express their emotions and receive the support they need. When students feel valued and connected to their peers and teachers, they are more likely to overcome feelings of anxiety and reluctance towards attending school. 

At yesterday's curriculum day our staff spent their time developing their understanding of this often complex area and developing the ways that we respond and build connections, resilience and success.

Pivot - a way for us to understand and respond to wellbeing needs

Earlier in the year we introduced a new system to our school called Pivot. Pivot represents a dynamic and comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing the mental health and wellbeing needs of our students. Unlike traditional surveys that may focus solely on academic performance or general satisfaction, the Pivot system delves deeply into the multifaceted aspects of student wellbeing. It gathers data on emotional resilience, social connectedness, stress levels, and coping mechanisms.

We spent time yesterday as a staff unpacking the data from our student surveys and understanding areas of strength and areas for improvement when it came to the wellbeing of individuals, groups and whole cohorts.

Teachers used the Social and Emotional  resources within Pivot to develop learning sequences and activities to address and respond to the areas that students told us they were struggling with.

Over the next few weeks, teachers will be working with their classes on these lessons and activities. We will complete short, regular 'check-in' surveys on Pivot to track progress in our targeted areas and are confident that we can address the concerns that students have raised with us about their wellbeing.

Beyond these Pivot surveys and sessions, through existing initiatives such as regular circle time in classrooms, Respectful Relationships, Buddies and Play Leaders we aim to cultivate a supportive community where every student feels seen, heard, and understood.

By embracing the principles of inclusion and prioritising the wellbeing of our students, we can create a school environment where every child feels confident, capable, and excited to learn.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in nurturing the growth and development of our students.

Neil Scott

Principal