Wellbeing

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Friday 19th of March is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. (NDA) is an important day to mark that our school community is standing together against bullying and violence.

West Beach Primary School is an official Bullying. No Way! school and will be taking the pledge.

By participating in the NDA with our school community we are all taking a stand against bullying and violence. Our school's bullying prevention messages are well understood by the school community.

School Leaders…

“We will be visiting classes because we want to help students to understand bullying and talk about it ... which then would open the doors for families and the community to talk about bullying also.”

We believe bullying prevention is the key, and it's so important that students know:

What is bullying?

How is it different to harassment?

How can they prevent bullying?

What to do if they are being bullied?

“We want all students, staff and the school community to have more positive relationships and to work together to actively challenge bullying behaviour and support students that have been bullied.”

We have attached a copy of the West Beach Primary School Anti-bullying Policy Parent Brochure for you to read. This policy outlines different ways of responding to bullying and harassment and that it is everyone’s responsibility to create a positive, safe and supportive school climate at West beach Primary School.

Help our school community deliver a powerful message that bullying and violence are never okay.

Harmony Day Tuesday March 23rd 2021

Harmony Day acknowledges our cultural diversity; a day of cultural respect for everyone in our community and Australia wide.

To celebrate the day all classes will be participating in cultural based electives that will be run be school leaders and our staff.

We would like to encourage everyone to wear a splash of orange (e.g. T-shirt, socks, ribbon, headband) as a show of support to our wonderful multi-cultural community.

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection

Students in our school have been invited to take part in a survey being conducted in Term 1 2021. This letter provides key information about the survey.

Our school will participate in the Term 1 Wellbeing and Engagement Collection which will be open during Weeks 8 to 10 (Monday 15 March to Thursday 1 April 2021).

Purpose of the collection

Young people’s sense of wellbeing is an important part of how they learn at school. The purpose of the survey is to seek students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. Students in year levels 4 to 12 across the State will be invited to participate in the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection. The information collected will help the education system and broader community to support young people’s health and wellbeing.

What is the survey about?

The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing; school relationships and engagement and learning in school; and physical health and wellbeing and after school activities. Students’ answers will be kept confidential – no one (including school staff) will use the results to identify individual students.

What is involved in project participation?

Teachers will arrange for students to undertake the survey during class time. Students will be asked if they would like to participate and will be free to withdraw at any time. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school as soon as possible after receiving this letter.

Will students’ information be kept confidential?

The department takes measures to ensure students’ personal information and their identities remain anonymous when participating in the survey.

Participating schools with fewer than 5 students undertaking the survey will not receive a school report in order to protect the confidentiality of students.

What will happen if a student is distressed during or after the survey?

Whilst the survey questions are not expected to distress students, the survey includes questions that ask about topics such as students’ happiness and experiences of being bullied. Teachers will inform students that:

· if they find the survey uncomfortable or distressing, they should leave the survey screen immediately

· that it is not compulsory to take part in the survey as a whole, and

· students may also skip individual survey questions if they wish.

Students who may want to speak to an adult about concerns or issues and will be supported to do so.

Where can I get more information?

Further information on the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection can be found at www.education.sa.gov.au (search: wec) or can be collected from the school. For questions or concerns, or to view the questions, please email Education.WECSA@sa.gov.au

Primary School Cancer Education Program

The Camp Quality Puppets, will be visiting West Beach Primary school on Friday 26th March 2021.

The Program uses puppets to dispel myths and create a supportive community at school for kids dealing with cancer. And the Camp Quality Puppets bring laughter and positivity to every occasion and a very important message – that you can’t catch cancer!

The program, featuring the renowned Puppets, is free, fun, and supported by educational resources for teachers and students

Kind regards,

Tina Mouzakitis and School Leaders