Student Wellbeing

The Well Being program at Kerrimuir Primary School embraces a number of components under the one umbrella.

• Creating a Learning Environment [CALC]

• Circle Time

• Restorative Practices

• Rethink

• YCDI [You Can Do It]

• Values Education

Creating a Learning Community [CALC]
 
All students in Grades P-6 will be participate in a program titled 'Creating a Learning Community'. We strive to create a stimulating, orderly and cooperative working environment for all children in our classrooms. It is very important to lay the ground rules, establish procedures and build the structure of the classroom for the year.
 
Our aim for the program is :
· to create a climate and tone of warmth and safety.
· to define expectations and practice them.
· to introduce students to the physical environment and materials of the classroom and the school, and teach students to use and care for them.
· to establish expectations about ways the class will learn together in the year ahead.
We believe that time spent establishing the building blocks for good learning will pay dividends throughout the year.

Circle Time

This is a regular time / forum when our students can think and talk about themselves and others. We use it for class groups, smaller groups and with the staff. It is a time when games and activities are used to encourage and increase an awareness of:

• Understanding and valuing myself
• Understanding and valuing others
• Having positive relationships with others

http://www.transformingconflict.org/TC_Brochure_new.htm

Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices are ways to build caring communities. People are supported to take responsibility for their actions and repair any harm that has been done.  

Our restorative approach is based on the belief that the people directly involved in the situation are the best ones to resolve the matter. Students involved in an incident have a chance to tell their side of the story and how they believe things can be fixed up. An agreement is then reached, which may still involve discipline procedures.

The potential advantages of a  restorative approach includes:

·          A safer, more caring environment

·         A more effective teaching and learning environment

·         A greater commitment by everyone to taking the time to listen to one another

Rethink Program

As part of our “Well Being” program, teachers can recommend children who are involved in situations in the classroom or the playground spend time in a “rethink” session. These sessions are taken in the Library during the first half of lunchtime with Mr Furey and Mrs Thompson. They are not detention or time out sessions, more a reflection on a better way to handle a specific situation. Before a child attends a rethink session, a form will be sent home .The child will already have written their account of the situation and the reason for this session. Younger children will have their reason written down for them. The form needs to be signed and returned to school.

If your child brings home a rethink form, please take the time to discuss with them alternative ways they could have behaved and how they would react if a similar situation arises again. Often the whole story is not told at home and certain details are omitted. We request that parents sign to indicate they have followed the Restorative Chat “4 questions” format when discussing the incident.

Rethink sessions are a time when the children are encouraged to talk about and come up with strategies reflecting our Restorative Justice approach. Sometimes a second follow up session may be necessary and will be arranged.

We see this as a positive approach to solving conflicts occurring both in the classroom and the school ground. It is another strategy to encourage our students to take responsibility for their own actions.

You Can Do It

You Can Do It! (YCDI) is a program to build emotional resilience and support the development of a positive learning environment. The program is implemented across the school. It provides all children with the foundations for achievement and social-emotional well-being. These foundations are:

• Getting Along (mixing well with others, being tolerant and non-judgmental)
   
• Confidence (believing in yourself, taking risks, trying something new)
   
• Persistence (trying hard, not giving up when something feels too hard)
   
• Organisation (planning, following instructions, having supplies ready).

Value Education

 At Kerrimuir PS, we value:

·        Individual Dignity

·        Originality

·        Independence

·        Initiative

·        Resilience

Our values are displayed in all classrooms and teachers regularly provide opportunities for our students to develop their understanding of values within the context of everyday living and learning.