What is the Student Wellbeing Boost?
All schools in NSW have received a one-off, 'Student Wellbeing Boost' funding from the Commonwealth Government, for extra mental health and wellbeing resources and initiatives. The funds, understandably, are dependent on the number of students.
The proposed spending of allocated funds, for 2 different programs, was discussed at the P&C AGM in March, the the P&C voting in favour of covering the c$1500 shortfall.
How is the funding being spent?
The school has organised 2 programs:
1. ZingActiv's 'Wellbeing Program' - a 9-week in-school program for all students K-6. This program will run on Mondays, starting 29 July.
The Wellbeing Program is designed to offer children a multitude of benefits that can positively impact their mental and emotional health. By incorporating activities and practices that promote mindfulness, relaxation and self-awareness, children can develop skills to manage stress, anxiety and difficult emotions. The program focuses on providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for children to explore self-regulation tools and strategies to cope with everyday challenges. Children explore ways to relax their minds and body for increased concentration and calm emotions.
2. Healthy Harold visits - stage-based, one-off sessions, booked in from 13-16 August, addressing the following:
Early Stage 1: (60 mins) Harold's Friendships
Students consider the importance of relationships and gain skills to seek help in a variety of situations. They have opportunities to practice strategies to manage their feelings and emotions.
Stage 1: (60 mins) Safety Rules
Students investigate how to protect themselves in unsafe environments and seek help. They also learn about the people and services that keep us safe and how to identify and respond in emergency situations.
Stage 2: (90 mins) Be Cyber Wise
Students investigate their use of tech and the positives and negatives of being online, including unwanted contact and unsafe situations. The ‘Recognise, React, Report’ strategy enables them to recognise the clues the body gives when they may be unsafe, to react in appropriate ways and to report and seek help.
Stage 3: (90 mins) Relate, Respect, Connect
Students investigate the importance of respectful relationships, including face to face and online connections. They explore how the physical and personal changes at this stage of life will impact their behaviour, emotions and relationships. They also learn to recognise, react and report disrespectful, unsafe and predatory behaviour online.
MANY THANKS to our P&C, who is supporting this wonderful initiative and covering the shortfall. We are grateful for your ongoing support of our students and school.
