Wellbeing and Inclusion 

Welcome to our new Educational Support Staff

It gives me great pleasure to welcome and introduce to you our new Educational Support Staff at KPS.  They are Kate Bliss, Frances Van Gaalen and Poppy Goyne.  They are all looking forward to working with our students and supporting them in their learning.

Hello! My name is Frances, and I am thrilled to start working at Karoo Primary as part of the Education Support team. I have a genuine desire to assist children with their learning and to make an impact in the lives of young people so they can achieve to their highest potential. I am excited to be part of a team that fosters a holistic approach to each child’s wellbeing.  I am curious and have a strong belief that everyone can drive positive change in the world.  I love spending time outdoors with my young family and dog- either in the hills or at the beach. I delight in travel, nature, books, laughter, camping, music, adventure, wildlife, bubbles, gardens, sunshine and keeping healthy! 

Hi my name is Poppy, and I am excited to embark on this new adventure in Education Support at Karoo Primary School. I have been apart of the Karoo community for many years now having attended myself during primary days! It is such a pleasure to return now to join the education support team. I am currently studying a Diploma in Teacher Education Preparation at Swinburne University, and I am so excited to bring my learnings into the classroom each day. I have always wanted to work in primary education ever since I was young. It is so wonderful to now be able to fulfil this goal and help children to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, socializing with friends, snowboarding in winter and wake surfing in summer!

Hi, my name is Kate, and I’m one of the new members of the Education Support Team at Karoo Primary. For a long time, I’ve had an interest in education (I have a background in tutoring) so to now have an opportunity to assist children reaching their goals in a school setting is something I’m very excited about. One thing I learned as a tutor is that the job satisfaction gained from helping a pupil master a skill they once struggled with is immeasurable. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family, reading, long bushwalks and daytrips to the beach. I also have a (very minor) obsession with sudoku.

 We are all very excited to have Kate, Frances and Poppy join our Karoo PS community. 

Mental Health

Mental health holds profound significance for primary school families, as it directly impacts the wellbeing and development of both parents and children. For parents, maintaining good mental health enables them to effectively navigate the demands of parenthood, from managing household responsibilities to providing emotional support for their children. It equips them with the resilience needed to handle the inevitable challenges and stresses that come with raising a family. 

 Parents who prioritise their mental health serve as positive role models for their children, demonstrating healthy coping mechanisms and fostering open communication about emotions. For children, a supportive family environment that prioritises mental health promotes emotional stability, self-esteem, and academic success. It provides them with a secure foundation from which to explore the world, form meaningful relationships, and develop essential life skills.

Investing in the mental health of primary school families not only strengthens family bonds but also lays the groundwork for the wellbeing of future generations.

For further resources- Please click the link for the Mental Health Toolkit

 Parents and carers – mental health and wellbeing toolkit | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au) 

EACH Parenting Anxious Children

Enjoy your week!

Kind Regards, 

Courtney Hoffmann