Student Wellbeing

At St Helena’s, we want our students to thrive at school. Please see two attached blog posts by Maggie Dent targeted at boys and girls in primary school. The blog post – “Helping boys cope better at school” provides an insight into why boys may be struggling with their behaviour in the classroom and suggests some helpful tips for parents. 

The blog also discusses the impact of technology and curriculum expectations for boys. The blog “Raising resilient, capable girls” explores key concerns affecting young girls including people pleasing, managing things that are beyond our control and ways to enhance resilience. 

We hope the blog posts assist parents, carers and school staff to achieve healthy outcomes for our students. 

Raising resilient, capable girls - Maggie Dent

Helping boys cope better at school: Tips for teachers and parents - Maggie Dent

Seasons for Growth 2023

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives.  Here at St Helena’s Catholic Primary School, we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce or significant change or loss, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. Therefore, we offer a very successful education program called ‘Seasons for Growth’ to students in Years 1-6. 

The Seasons for Growth program is evidence based and relies on research, strategies, and techniques consistent with high quality, psychosocial education and aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of children.

Small groups of 4-8 children work with a trained adult companion (facilitator) who supports the children in learning new ways to share, think about and respond to the changes and losses in their lives. Children learn that they are not alone in dealing with the effects of change, loss and grief. They build their understanding and communication, decision making and problem-solving skills as part of a supportive peer group. 

Seasons for Growth takes place over a structured 8-week period filled with peer-to-peer learning opportunities – with time to talk and listen as well as take part in activities including drawing, music, art, journaling, role plays and storytelling. Sessions explore age-appropriate concepts, for example “change is part of life” and “caring for my feelings”. The story of the seasons is used to explain the cycles of life and provides a valuable metaphor for children to explore and understand their own story.

The program will commence this year during Week 2 of term 3 and will be held after school on a Thursday (further details to follow).

If you think your son or daughter would benefit from the program, I encourage you to talk to him/her about this.  If your child would like to participate, please complete the form here.