Well-being News

Term 3 week 4 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share a little about my role at our school.

I have been a member of the South Melbourne Park Primary School staff for the past 4½ years, working as a Learning Specialist in Curriculum and Teaching while teaching in the senior years. This year, I have been fortunate to begin a new role as our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL).

As part of this position, I have the opportunity to undertake specialised professional learning in childhood mental health and wellbeing through Melbourne University. This learning supports me to work alongside our staff to continue strengthening the wellbeing supports available for every student.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role focuses on building a whole-school approach to student wellbeing. This includes:

• Developing and delivering professional learning to build staff capability in supporting student wellbeing.
• Reviewing, planning and implementing a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
• Developing clear care pathways so students and families can access the right supports when needed.
• Supporting the use of evidence-informed practices to meet the wellbeing needs of our students.
• Embedding mental health literacy across our entire school community.

It is important to note that this is not a clinical or counselling role. I do not provide mental health assessments or one-on-one therapeutic support for students, nor is the role focused on staff mental health support. Instead, my role is to build the capacity of our school community so that positive mental health and wellbeing are embedded in everyday school life.

One of the most exciting projects this year has been the development of a Wellbeing Scope and Sequence across the school. This ensures that all students receive explicit and consistent teaching about our school values and the personal and social skills that support them to thrive. These lessons are taught alongside the Rights, Responsibilities and Respectful Relationship lessons. 

Throughout the year, students have explored a range of wellbeing topics, including:

• Be Kind: Self-regulation
• Be an Active Learner: Online safety, in partnership with Inform and Empower
• Be Kind: Respect and positive intent
• Be Kind: Anti-racism
• Be Responsible: Integrity

I have been delivering professional learning for both our teaching and educational support staff to further strengthen our whole-school approach to student wellbeing.

An important part of my role is supporting the implementation of School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS). SWPBS provides a consistent framework for explicitly teaching positive behaviours, recognising students who demonstrate our school values, and helping every child develop the confidence, resilience and lifelong skills they need to succeed both at school and beyond.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside our students, staff and families as we build a school community where every child feels safe, supported, connected and ready to learn.

Johanne Abbott

Well-being