Wellbeing and Inclusion
Berry Street Education Model
On Thursday 21st August, we will be holding our fourth and final Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) professional learning day. This is a student-free day (Curriculum Day), during which all school staff will complete Day 4 – Character of the Berry Street Education Model training.
Core Focus Areas of Day 4: Character
- Values and Purpose: Helping students articulate their core personal values and find deeper meaning for themselves and their communities.
- Character Strengths: Identifying and practicing personal strengths using stories, role models, and narratives.
- Gratitude and Optimism: Cultivating positive mindsets to boost student wellbeing.
- Attunement and Respect: Building tolerance and appreciation for the diverse strengths of peers.
Completing all four days of training marks an important milestone for our staff. We are continuing to embed the Berry Street Education Model into our everyday teaching practices, ensuring our classrooms are places where every student feels safe, supported and ready to learn.
One of the most important parts of our school day happens before learning begins…
Each morning, we welcome students into their classrooms with our Welcome Circle. Arriving on time gives students the opportunity to have conversations with friends, settle into the classroom, organise their belongings and begin the day feeling calm, connected and ready to learn. Students who arrive after our Welcome Circles have started, often miss important information, classroom routines and valuable opportunities to build relationships with their peers and teacher. Entering the classroom after learning has begun can also make it more difficult for students to feel settled and engaged.
Our morning times are:
- 8:40 am – Students arrive at school
- 8:45 am – Music plays
- 8.50 am - Bell sounds/Line up at classroom door.
- 8:55 am – Welcome Circle begins
Regular attendance and punctuality have a significant impact on student achievement. Missing just one hour of learning each day adds up to around 190 hours across a school year - equivalent to approximately 38 full school days, or almost eight weeks of learning. Arriving just 15 minutes late each day may not seem like much, but adds up to around 10 school days.
We appreciate your support in helping your child arrive at school by 8:45 am so they have time to be with friends, prepare for the day and be ready to participate in Welcome Circles. Together, we can ensure every student begins each day feeling connected, confident and ready to succeed.
