Wellbeing

PBL

At SFS, our PBL (Positive Behaviours for Learning) school wide expectations are:

Respect,  Responsibility and Kindness

We have a whole school social skills lesson where we explicitly teach an expected behaviour from our Behaviour Expectation matrix. 

This week we have focused on Responsibility: Engage and Persevere with all tasks.     It is important for the students  to understand that when they are at school, they are here to learn and they need to engage in all tasks whether it is something they enjoy or not. 

It is an expectation that will complete the learning that is expected of them. There will be sometimes that they will get choices in what they do and other times they will not. 

Here are some of our lucky raffle winners from last week who have been demonstrating expected behaviours at school. 

Well done to the students!

NAIDOC WEEK

NAIDOC Week is an annual Australian celebration recognizing the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It originated as a powerful civil rights protest in the 1930s when Aboriginal leaders marched through Sydney. Over the years, it transformed into a week-long celebration that happens every July. We had a special assembly at school this week on Monday morning to celebrate NAIDOC week which was in the school holidays. Our Fire Carriers lead us through a prayer, acknowledgement of country and some information about NAIDOC week. The students also learnt the song “Raining on the Rock” by John Williamson. It is important that students learn about Aboriginal culture and history as it relates to Child Safety Standard 1. Child Safe Standard 1 requires schools to establish a culturally safe environment where the unique identities of Aboriginal children and young people are respected. It is vital because true child safety cannot be achieved without cultural safety; it prevents harm, actively confronts racism, and ensures Indigenous students feel secure being themselves. This is important even if we do not have students at SFS who identify as First Nations people. The students have focused on the message of NAIDOC week in class this week.

SRC

We had our first SRC meeting on Monday afternoon with the newly elected SRC Semester 2 representatives. It was wonderful to see every single student sharing their insights and ideas to improve the school. These students will be presented with their SRC badges at assembly next Friday 31st July. 

Congratulations to these students and we can not wait to see what ideas you share and put into action this semester! All students have an opportunity to share their ideas and have a voice. They can write down their ideas and put them in the SRC box in each learning space or they can talk to their SRC reps about their ideas. 

Senior students can also submit their ideas in the Student Portal via the SRC idea icon. Students can also use the Student Concerns icon to let the school know of any safety concerns or problems they are having at school.

LS 1 Juniors: Lorenzo De Z and Elanur S 

LS 1 Seniors: Gabriel P and Shanaya D

LS 2 Juniors: Rayanna B and Avana W  (NG)

LS 2 Seniors: Hanna B (AE) and Ivy F (MM)

LS 3 Juniors: Sebastian (Year 2 - ND) Alexander (Year 1 - RI)

LS 3 Seniors: Avantika( RC) and Leon (RJ)

TERM 3 AWARENESS DAYS

We have a number of important awareness days in Term 3 which promote health and wellbeing. Firstly, we have National week of Action against Bullying and Violence also known as Bullying no way week. Bullying No Way Week is Australia’s leading initiative for bullying prevention in schools. It’s an opportunity for schools to foster a shared understanding of bullying behaviours and highlight strategies for their prevention. 

This will be held on 17–21 August 2026. This national week of action unites government, Catholic and independent schools and their communities across the country. Together, we can inspire practical solutions to prevent bullying in Australian schools. Stay tuned for more information and how the students will celebrate this week. 

Secondly, we have National Child Protection Week. National Child Protection Week will run across Australia from September 6–12, 2026. Coordinated by NAPCAN, the campaign's theme is "Every conversation matters, Shifting Conversation to Action," urging all Australians to turn awareness into practical steps that keep children safe and supported. NAPCAN stands for the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. It is an Australian non-profit organization focused on stopping child abuse and neglect before it starts.

Thirdly, we celebrate R U OK day. R U OK? Day is a national day of action in Australia, held annually on the second Thursday of September, encouraging people to check in with those around them. In 2026, R U OK? Day takes place on Thursday, 10 September 2026.The theme for R U OK? Day 2026 is "Ask R U OK? Any Day". This message serves as a reminder that meaningful conversations should not be limited to a single day on the calendar, as life’s challenges and opportunities to support one another happen every day of the year.

Stay tuned to find out more about how the students will celebrate these important days and explore the message of each day to promote mental health and wellbeing.

If you or someone you know is going through a tough time and needs support, remember that help is available year-round:

Emergency: Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if life is in danger.

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 for 24/7 free and confidential crisis support.

Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 for mental health support and counseling.

If you have any concern about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact me or make a time to speak with me. My working days are Monday to Wednesday and Friday. 

Rachel Lenko

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

Positive Quote for the day