Wellbeing & Learning Diversity
Building Positive Relationships and Friendships at St Gabriel's
At St Gabriel’s, we place a strong focus on supporting children to build positive peer relationships and develop the skills needed to form strong, lasting friendships. Learning how to connect with others, show empathy, and communicate respectfully is an important part of every child’s social and emotional development.
Positive relationships help children feel safe, confident and connected at school. When children are able to build and maintain friendships, they are more likely to engage in their learning, take positive risks, and feel a sense of belonging within their community.
Throughout the term, children will explore these important social skills during their wellbeing lessons. They will develop a deeper understanding of how to build meaningful connections, navigate challenges in friendships, and respond to others with kindness and respect.
Children will be supported to:
- build and maintain healthy friendships
- show kindness, empathy and respect towards others
- understand and appreciate differences
- communicate effectively in social situations
- resolve disagreements in a positive and respectful way
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home by talking about friendships, modelling respectful communication, and supporting children to reflect on their interactions with others. By working together, we can help children build the skills they need to develop positive, healthy relationships that will support them both at school and beyond.
Further Reading for Families
For families who would like to learn more about supporting children to build positive friendships and social skills, the following resources may be helpful:
- Australian Institute of Family Studies – https://aifs.gov.au/node/37216
- Triple P – Positive Parenting Program – https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/articles-and-news/post/5-friendship-skills-every-child-needs-and-how-to-support-kids-using-positive-parenting/
Learning Diversity
In August each year, schools across Australia are required to complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD.) The NCCD counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or support at school and helps governments plan for the needs of students with disability. Our Nurture Growth NCCD Team, submits our student data based on evidence and rigorous moderation. For further information, please see the linked Fact Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians.
