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 KINDNESS- Include others in the Learning space. It is important that we teach students to include others:

• So that everyone feels that they belong
• To embrace diversity and appreciate differences in others
• To help us connect or build relationships with each other
• To work together to achieve learning
• To encourage kindness
• To teach empathy
• To demonstrate that we believe in the dignity of the human person and we are all created in the image of God.

Here are some of our recent lucky raffle winners who have been demonstrating expected behaviours at school. Congratulations to all of these students.

National Child Protection Week (NCPW)

National Child Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 takes place from 6 to 12 September 2026. Organized by NAPCAN, the 2026 theme is "Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action", focusing on translating safety awareness into practical, community-led steps. 

The purpose of NCPW is to build a shared commitment to prevention by reminding us that protecting children is everyone’s business, not only the job of specialists or government systems. 

It invites all of us – parents and carers, community leaders, service providers, policymakers, neighbours and young people – to reflect on how our everyday decisions shape children’s safety and wellbeing. By coming together during NCPW, we strengthen relationships, share ideas, advocate for change and celebrate how communities already support children, while challenging ourselves to do better and create environments where children are valued, respected and heard.

This year National Child Protection Week is driving a stronger national focus on shifting conversations into meaningful action. Conversations can spark new ideas and encourage reflection. But real change happens when those conversations translate into practical steps that create safer environments and stronger support for children and families. National Child Protection Week helps turn these conversations into action. Extending beyond the Week itself as a year-round national campaign, it brings people across Australia together to strengthen support systems, prevent harm and help children grow up safe and supported. By shifting conversation to action, we can build communities where every child not only feels heard but also experiences real safety, care and protection.

R U OK day

R U OK? Day is a national Australian day of action held on the second Thursday of September. On Thursday 10th September (Week 9) it is R U OK day. To show our support for R U OK day, the students are encouraged to wear a touch of yellow. This could be yellow socks, a ribbon, hat, shoes etc. R U OK day  teaches students how to use meaningful conversations, active listening, and empathy to support peers who might be struggling with stress, school pressures, or mental health.

There are 4 steps to follow to check in with someone you are worried about which the students learn at school. 

1. Ask “Are you okay?” when you notice someone seems upset or you are worried about them. 

2. Listen to the person without interrupting if they want to talk. Listen without judgment. 

3. Encourage action: Talk to them about how they might get help and who might be able to help them.

 4. Check in: After the conversation, check in with the person again to see how things are going. 

If you are checking in on an adult, here are some helpful questions you might ask the person you are having the conversation with are…

• How are you travelling?
• You don’t seem yourself lately-want to talk about it?
• Have you been feeling this way for a while?
• Do you want to talk more? I’m here to listen.
• What do you think is a first step that might help you?
• Have you spoken to your doctor about this?
• Just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing?
• Have things improved for you since our last chat?

The SRC students will be doing their part. The students will be wearing flouro R U ok vests during this week during lunch times. They will be checking in with students at lunchtime who may need help or look upset. 

If you have any concerns for your child’s mental health and wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Part of my role as the Mental Health and Wellbeing leader is to speak to parents about what supports we can put in place at school as well as help with referral pathways to external supports. I will be available on the Parent teacher interviews evening to meet with parents if you would like to make a time to speak with me. Or you can email me rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

Rachel Lenko

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Positive Quote for the Day