Wellbeing

                                                            SWPBS Overview 

At St Mary’s we are implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) to help all students understand and meet our school expectations. 

SWPBS begins with a strong focus on positive reinforcement. Staff aim to use a 5:1 ratio of praise to correction, meaning students receive far more positive acknowledgement than corrective feedback. This helps students clearly understand the behaviours we want to see. 

Teachers use two-part praise, which includes: 

Naming the expectation and explaining how the student demonstrated it. 

For example: "Thank you for showing Care for Learning by listening carefully and starting your work straight away." 

Throughout the day there are many opportunities to reteach expectations. Teachers guide students using consistent language, so they understand what the expectation looks like in the classroom, playground and across all aspects of school life. 

If expectations are not met, teachers move through a clear response process only after: 

Expectations have been taught, Positive behaviour has been acknowledged, and Reteaching has occurred. 

Research shows that when students clearly understand behavioural expectations and are explicitly taught how to meet them, they are more likely to demonstrate those behaviours (Simonsen, Fairbanks, Briesch, Myers & Sugai, updated PBIS framework review, 2021). 

Across the school, staff are intentionally using shared language to support students to learn how to behave in classrooms, the playground and throughout the school environment. 

We look forward to sharing more detailed information about SWPBS at an upcoming assembly, watch this space! 

                                        Expectation Spotlight – Weeks 7 & 8 

“We actively participate in class and school activities.” 

This week, our Expectation Spotlight focuses on students actively participating in their learning and in the life of our school. Over the next two weeks, we will be encouraging students to have a go at classroom tasks, share their ideas during discussions, work cooperatively with others, and take part in the many activities that happen throughout the school day. 

We encourage students to give new things a try, ask questions when they are unsure, and contribute positively to class learning. By getting involved and showing a willingness to participate, students help create a supportive and engaging learning environment for everyone. 

                                                        Mary MacKillop Merit 

MacKillop Merit recognises students who demonstrate our school expectations of Care for Self, Care for Learning, Care for Others, and Care for our Environment through their positive actions and choices at school. 

                                                 Merit Recognition Certificate 

Merit Recognition slips are sent home to celebrate when a student demonstrates our school expectations of Care for Self, Care for Others, Care for Learning, or Care for our Environment through their positive actions and choices at school.

                                                                Harmony Week 

Next week St Mary's will be celebrating Harmony Week. Harmony Week is an annual Australian celebration of cultural diversity, inclusiveness and respect. It is an opportunity for our school community to recognise and celebrate the many cultures that make up Australia and to reflect on the importance of belonging for everyone. 

Throughout the week we will encourage students to remember that we are all perfectly made in the Image of God and that every person deserves kindness, dignity and respect. Harmony Week provides a meaningful opportunity for students to learn about inclusion and to appreciate the diversity within our community. 

We warmly invite families to join us at school from 8:20 am on Monday to launch Harmony Week with a shared breakfast. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the diversity that makes St Mary's such a special place. 

Harmony Week Activities 

Monday: Students will be invited to draw symbols and write encouraging messages using chalk outside the ampitheatre. These messages will focus on kindness, inclusion and helping everyone feel welcome in our school. Shared breakfast beginning at 8:20. 

Tuesday: Students will take part in cultural dancing during Performing Arts, providing an opportunity to experience and celebrate traditions from different cultures. 

Wednesday: Students are invited to wear a touch of orange. This might be a T shirt, hat, ribbon or socks. Orange is the official colour of Harmony Week and represents respect, diversity and belonging. 

Thursday: Cultural art and craft activities will be available in the art room during lunch time. 

Friday: We will conclude the week with a Harmony Week Assembly. Students and families will be invited to share what they have enjoyed during the week and reflect on why celebrating diversity and belonging is important. 

Respectful Relationships 

Our Respectful Relationships lessons continue to support students in developing the social and emotional skills needed to build positive relationships and maintain their wellbeing. These lessons focus on understanding emotions, developing empathy, and learning how to respond to situations in respectful and thoughtful ways. 

Foundation to Year 2 students explored the feeling of pride. They discussed how their body might feel when they are proud and why this emotion can be such a positive experience. Students shared examples of moments when they felt proud of themselves or proud of someone else. They also explored how recognising and celebrating the efforts of others can help people feel valued, supported and included within their community. 

Year 3 and 4 students have been learning that people can respond differently to the same situation. Through discussions and activities they explored how our thoughts, feelings and past experiences can influence how we react. Students also discussed how emotions can act as important signals, helping us recognise when a situation feels safe, uncomfortable or unfair. Learning to notice and name these feelings helps students make thoughtful choices and seek support when needed. 

Year 5 and 6 students have been expanding their emotional vocabulary and developing a deeper understanding of how emotions change as we grow. As students move through the upper primary years, feelings can become more complex and it becomes increasingly important to be able to communicate these emotions clearly. Students explored how identifying and expressing emotions can support problem solving, strengthen friendships and help them ask for support when needed. They also reflected on the importance of empathy and recognising that people bring different experiences and perspectives to their relationships and interactions with others. 

Together we can continue to nurture a community where every child feels valued, respected and reminded that they are made in the Image of God. 

Social Justice  

This week we acknowledged International Women’s Day, which was on Sunday. Thank you to the Year 3/4 students who made beautiful cards for the inspiring women of St Mary’s. Your thoughtfulness and creativity were lovely to see. 

Our Project Compassion fundraising is getting started. Each class has been coming up with and finalising ideas for how they will raise money. All funds raised will go to Caritas Australia, which supports communities in need around the world through education, health programs, and emergency relief. More details about our fundraising activities will be shared soon.