Assistant Principal
Katrina Spicer - Wellbeing
1st March 2024
WHPS School Values
Strongly underlying all of the WHPS wellbeing programs are our five school values:
Our SWPBS (School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support) program is based upon these values, and each of our expected behaviours is connected to one of these values. The values are proudly displayed in many areas around the school and our students pledge allegiance to these values during our school assemblies.
I am proud of my school and Australia my home
I will care for my belongings and the environment
I will be honest and responsible
I will show respect towards others and accept their differences
These values will help me be a resilient member of my community
Values Award
Every Friday afternoon at Assembly, members of the SRC (Student Representative Council) will draw a winner of the WHPS Values Award.
Students are encouraged to identify another student who has demonstrated one or more of our school values and to nominate them for the values award. Students complete the nomination slip and place it in the box in the corridor opposite the sick bay. The student whose name is drawn from the nomination box will take home a special Values Award certificate and a special WHPS school badge, which they can wear proudly on their uniform.
Katrina Spicer
Assistant Principal for Wellbeing and Inclusion
katrina.spicer@education.vic.gov.au
HABITS
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes that:
Goals are for people who care about winning once. Systems are for people who care about winning repeatedly.
We rise or fall to the level of our systems. But family systems often don’t exist. Chaos, rush and stress dominate. Spontaneity works on some days. Exhaustion wins on others.
If systems and habits are at the core of our successes, developing effective, usable systems becomes a skill that matters.
Can you write out your morning system? Your weekly meal system? Your exercise routine/system?
What’s the system for strengthening your relationship with your spouse/partner? Your kids?
Here are three practical systems I recommend:
Mornings
- Prep everything from uniforms, shoes and schoolbags to breakfast choices and lunch decisions the night before.
- Get enough sleep (that’s children and parents)
- Wake up early enough to be ready before the kids need to get started
- Wake your children up with at least a 15-minute margin in case of challenges
- Reduce correction and direction and build connection by asking how you can help
Develop your morning system along these guidelines and watch your family effectiveness and connection shift.
Getting on the Same Page
- Have a weekly couples meeting and weekly family meeting (with treats if necessary)
- Ask “What’s working this week?”, “What’s not working?”, and “What will we work on next week?”
- Make a plan and ensure kids and partner buy in
- Integrate accountability processes each morning or evening
Building a Better Relationship
- Touch each other when you pass in the corridor, sit in the car together, or anytime you can
- Answer the phone with delight rather than “yep” or “what’s up?”
- Schedule a regular date (that doesn’t include watching a screen)
- Share long kisses when you leave the house and when you return
- Remember to say “hi” and “bye”
- Say “I love you”, and use their name
- Have a night away together once every few months
These are idea starters, not gospel. Creating positive habits together with small and consistent daily actions aligned with your systems move the needle.
It’s not just about what you do today, but about what you do every day. Your family’s happiness and your parenting effectiveness will reflect the habits you establish over time.
Our school subscription to Happy Families allows access to the Happy Families website to all members of our school community.
Families can access the Happy Families website at: https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/whps
Password: happywhps