Primary Post

Wellbeing

Fiona Dandie & Robert Pain

SWPBS

'Work it Out' at Whittlesea Primary School - Revisited

When students encounter a problem in the yard during break times, they are encouraged to stay calm and try at least two strategies from the ‘Work It Out’ menu before seeking support from a teacher. This 'Tier 1' whole-school support enables students to develop the skills to work through conflict/ resolution with their peers safely and productively.

Whittlesea World Update

It was fantastic to see many students this past Tuesday and Wednesday trade in their Golden Tickets at Whittlesea World. We had students trading in for a variety of items such as footy cards, texta packs, fidgets, notebooks, trinkets, and even a 'Principal for the Morning' award. Well done to all students who received a Golden Ticket this term for demonstrating our school expectations of 'Do Your Best', 'Respect Your School', and 'Help Others Succeed'. A big thank you also to our school leaders for helping run Whittlesea World throughout term 3.

Disability Inclusion

Helping Children with “Catastrophising” and Problem Scales

At school and at home, children can sometimes see small challenges as huge problems. This is called catastrophising – when our thinking makes a situation feel far bigger or scarier than it really is.

To help students manage their feelings, many schools use a “How Big Is My Problem?” scale. This tool helps children stop, think, and match their reaction to the size of the problem.

 

How Big is My Problem?

  1. No Problem

    Example: Someone smiled at you in class.

    Good choice: Keep learning and enjoy your day.

  2. Tiny Problem

    Example: You drop a pencil on the floor

    Good choice: Pick it up or borrow one quickly.

  3. Small Problem

    Example: You can’t find your hat at playtime.

    Good choice: Ask a teacher for help, borrow a spare hat, or look in lost property.

  4. Medium Problem

    Example: A friend says something unkind.

    Good choice: Use kind words to tell them how you feel, ask for help if you need support, and remember that feelings can be repaired.

  5. Big Problem

    Example: You hurt yourself badly in the playground.

    Good choice: Get help from a teacher or first aid straight away.

  6. Catastrophe (Emergency Level)

    Example: A fire, flood, or someone is seriously hurt.

    Good choice: Call 000 or follow emergency instructions.

 

There are lots of visuals available for different age groups online.

 

Why This Matters

When children learn to judge the size of their problems, they build resilience and problem-solving skills. Instead of reacting with panic, they can make a calm choice that fits the situation. This also helps friendships, learning, and overall wellbeing.

 

How Parents Can Support at Home

  • Talk it through: When your child is upset, ask, “How big is this problem on the scale?”
  • Model calm problem-solving: Show them how you handle everyday frustrations without turning them into “big problems.”
  • Celebrate good choices: Notice when your child responds in a balanced way and praise their effort.

 

By practising these steps together, children develop confidence in handling life’s ups and downs without feeling overwhelmed.