Wellbeing At McAuley 

Wellbeing and Respectful Relationships

At our McAuley we are committed to creating a community where every child feels safe, valued and respected. Guided by the teachings of Jesus and our Gospel values, we encourage students to treat others with kindness, compassion and understanding.

Recently, staff participated in professional learning on Respectful Relationships and Consent, strengthening our knowledge of how to support students in building positive friendships and understanding personal boundaries. This learning focuses on age-appropriate skills such as listening to others, using respectful language, including others in play, recognising feelings and understanding that everyone has the right to feel safe and respected.

Our approach also aligns with the NSW Anti-Bullying Framework, which guides schools in preventing and responding to bullying. Students are explicitly taught the difference between conflict and bullying, and are encouraged to seek help from trusted adults if they feel worried or unsafe. Through classroom learning and everyday interactions, we continue to reinforce values such as empathy, responsibility and standing up for others.

Families play an important role in supporting these messages. Talking with your child about kindness, respectful behaviour and how they can include others helps strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Here are a few small ways families can support their child’s social and emotional wellbeing at home:

1. Create time to talk 

Set aside a few minutes each day to talk with your child about their day. Open questions such as “What was the best part of your day?” or “Did anything make you feel worried today?” help children feel heard and supported.

2. Encourage kindness and empathy

 Talk with your child about how their words and actions can affect others. Encouraging them to include others, share, and show kindness helps build strong friendships and reflects the caring values we promote at school.

3. Support problem-solving 

If your child has a disagreement with a friend, help them think through possible solutions. Asking questions like “What could you try next time?” helps children develop confidence in resolving small conflicts.

4. Maintain healthy routines

Regular sleep, balanced meals and time away from screens all support children’s mood, concentration and overall wellbeing.

5. Remind children they can ask for help

Let your child know that it is always okay to talk to a trusted adult if something is worrying them—at home or at school.

Together, by working in partnership, we can help our children grow into respectful, resilient and caring members of our school community.