Last week all parents were sent an email detailing the student wellbeing survey. SFX has spent time this week ensuring that students completed this. The purpose of this survey is to gather student opinions about aspects of the school that relate to supporting student wellbeing and mental health. The survey provides our school with student opinions on what the school is doing well and what we can improve to better promote and support student wellbeing and mental health.
There is an emphasis on student wellbeing at St Francis with much being done to ensure there are programs and resources to support wellbeing. We have a fabulous support team here beginning with your child’s teacher. Should you be concerned in anyway, in the first instance please make contact with your child’s teacher. In terms of programs within the school, our support team runs a series of activities each break to actively engage students. This promotes connection, relationships, and builds community.
Further to this, as part of our curriculum, SFX runs a SEL program – a social and emotional learning course that aims to help students better understand their thoughts and emotions, to become more self-aware, and to develop more empathy for others within their community and the world around them. If you are looking for resources to support your child at home, there are some great Australian resources out there. Elizabeth Richards has some good resources that encompass early years SEL. Be You, part of the Beyond Blue initiative has a range of resources to help guide parents and WorryWoos by Dr. John Corner has free resources accessible to parents. Additionally, there are a number of apps aimed at children’s wellbeing that are designed to help foster SEL at home. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), “Social and emotional learning starts at home. Parents and families are critical partners in helping their children develop social and emotional know-how. They can model the kinds of skills, attitudes, and behaviours we want all students to master. And they can be important advocates for SEL at school.”
SEL is in my opinion, such a worthwhile topic as the potential for growth in any form is unlimited. There is so much joy in seeing a child’s face when they realise they have used their SEL toolbelt and overcome something that has been a challenge for them.
