Family Wellbeing

Building a Strong Foundation for a Great School Year

Welcome to a new school year! Term 1 is an exciting time filled with new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and the chance to build strong foundations for a successful and enjoyable year ahead. As students settle into their routines, we want to focus on positivity, friendships, resilience, and wellbeing—all essential elements of a happy and fulfilling school experience. 

Let’s start the year with a positive mindset, that will help children feel confident and ready to learn. Encouraging students to approach new experiences with curiosity and optimism makes transitions smoother and reduces anxiety. Reminding them that challenges are opportunities to grow can make all the difference in their learning journey, such as making new friends is an important part of school life. Teaching children to be kind, inclusive, and good listeners help them build meaningful relationships. A simple smile, a friendly greeting, or inviting someone to join in a game can go a long way in creating a warm and supportive school environment. 

A growth mindset is another valuable tool for students. This means helping them understand that mistakes are a natural part of learning and that effort and perseverance lead to improvement. When children learn to embrace challenges, they become more resilient and confident in their abilities. To support learning and overall wellbeing, establishing healthy routines is key. A good night’s sleep, nutritious meals, and regular exercise set children up for a successful day at school. A balanced breakfast fuels the brain, movement keeps the body strong, and consistent sleep schedules help with focus and emotional regulation. 

Lastly, developing emotional intelligence helps children recognise, express, and manage their feelings effectively. Encouraging students to talk about how they feel and teaching them strategies like deep breathing or using words to express emotions fosters self-awareness and empathy towards others. To complement our focus on emotional wellbeing, we will also be talking about Emotional Literacy, which is the first topic in the Respectful Relationships program this term. Emotional Literacy helps children understand, express, and manage their emotions, build empathy, and respond appropriately to the feelings of others. The flyer below outlines how this is taught at each year level and provides practical tips for parents to support your child’s emotional development at home.

The OPS Student Wellbeing team