Wellbeing

At our school, we are deeply committed to supporting the wellbeing of every member of our community. Our staff are highly knowledgeable in child development and wellbeing practices, enabling us to support each student’s growth effectively. We recognise that behaviour often serves as a form of communication; what may sometimes appear as challenging behaviour is frequently a child’s way of expressing a need for emotional support.

Just like adults, our students can have ‘wobbly’ days, and we have a range of initiatives in place to help them navigate the challenges that a school day can bring. While we maintain high expectations for behaviour, we prioritise understanding and addressing the underlying causes of big emotions rather than simply managing behaviours on the surface.

Take a look at how we support student wellbeing.

Restorative practice

Below, Mr Justin Graham, Assistant Principal of Stage 3 and Restorative Practices, explains how our initiative of the Restorative Practice (RP) room, supports the wellbeing of our students.

Down days

We recognise that school life can be busy, and sometimes our students need a break from the demands of learning. This is why we have introduced 'Down Days.' Down Days are about taking time away from the cognitive load of a typical day of learning (or ‘sweaty brain learning,’ as we call it) and prioritising relationship building. On a designated Down Day, students will decide as a class on screen-free activities that they would like to do. Trips to the park, cubby building, hide-and-seek, and craft are becoming firm Down Day favourites!

Behaviour education

Just like any skill we learn at school, positive ways to behave and interact with others need to be explicitly taught. That’s why we have clear expectations for our students’ behaviour and support these through our successful 'Play is the Way' .

Curious to know more? Visit our Behaviour Education page to discover how we nurture positive behaviour and help our students develop positive relationships!

Access to our school counsellor and specialist staff

If you or your child’s classroom teacher notice that your child may need some extra support with their wellbeing, we have a comprehensive process to connect you with the right support person.

Our first step is always to provide additional support within the classroom. If it becomes clear that your child needs further assistance, then, in consultation with you, we may request support from one of our specialist staff members such as our school counsellor, School Liaison team, or Assistant Principal Learning and Support.

If your child currently works with a therapist outside of school hours, or you would like to engage with a new service, we have a process in place to collaborate with them. You can learn more about how we work alongside external providers on our External Providers page.

External wellbeing programs

Wagga Wagga is truly fortunate to have a wonderful network of community groups, external providers, and organisations dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of our students. When a student needs extra care or assistance, we are able to reach out and collaborate with these trusted partners to provide additional support tailored to their individual needs. While the specific groups we work with may vary from year to year, some of the organisations we have partnered with in the past include yoga instructors and the Boys to the bush program.

Breakfast club

Twice a week, we host a student-led Breakfast Club, before school. Not only does it provide an opportunity for students to fuel their bodies for the day, but it an excellent way build relationships.

Staff Wellbeing

As a school, we place great value on the wellbeing of our staff. It is important to us that the people working with your children feel happy, cared for, and supported in all aspects of their lives. Our staff set the tone for our school community, and their wellbeing is a top priority.

Throughout the year, we support our staff in many ways, including fostering greater collaboration to reduce workloads and prioritising strong relationship-building. One of the most visible ways we demonstrate this commitment is through our termly Staff Wellbeing Week.

We’re lucky to have such a wonderful, caring team who are genuine in their care for one another, and that positive team vibe naturally flows on to your child. Not liking your colleagues? We honestly can’t relate!