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Student Wellbeing

St Mary's Primary School Mansfield

At St. Mary's, the cornerstone of our ethos is the unwavering dedication to the well-being of every individual within our community. We hold in high esteem the unique qualities inherent in each child, recognising that all individuals are created in the image of God and possess immeasurable worth and sacred dignity. It is with profound respect for this inherent value that we embark on a holistic journey towards nurturing and fostering the well-being of every student under our care.

 

Our commitment to promoting well-being is reflected in our steadfast belief that all students should be allowed to cultivate resilience, confidence, compassion, and respect for themselves and others. Through a comprehensive and inclusive approach, we strive to empower our students with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of life with grace and fortitude.

 

Central to our educational philosophy is the integration of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) principles into the fabric of our curriculum. We recognise the pivotal role SEL plays in fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, goal-setting, and robust interpersonal skills. These competencies are fundamental in equipping individuals to forge meaningful and empathetic relationships both within the school environment and beyond its confines.

 

To realise our vision of holistic well-being, St. Mary's has implemented a range of programs designed to support SEL and promote positive social interactions among our students. These initiatives include the Resilience Project, Rights, Resilience, and Respectful Relationships program, the Buddy Program, Circle Time sessions, Lunchtime Clubs, the Student Leadership Program, SRC, dedicated School Counselor, and a vigilant Child Safety Team. Each program is thoughtfully curated to nurture the emotional intelligence and social skills of our students, fostering a culture of understanding, kindness, and mutual respect.

 

Furthermore, our dedicated team of staff members exemplify a collective commitment to the well-being of every student entrusted to our care. Our Student Support team stands ready to provide guidance, support, and encouragement, ensuring that each student feels valued, heard, and supported throughout their educational journey at St. Mary's.

 

In essence, at St. Mary's, fostering well-being goes beyond a mere aspiration; it is a foundational principle that shapes our educational landscape and permeates every facet of our school community. Through our unwavering dedication to social and emotional growth, we endeavour to nurture individuals who are not only academically proficient but also compassionate, resilient, and socially adept members of society.

The Resilience Project

St Marys School has been involved in the Resilience Project for the last 3 years.  Our mission is to teach positive mental health strategies to help people become happier and more resilient.

 

The Resilience project is delivered via weekly sessions in the classroom focussing on the three key pillars of positive emotion; Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness.

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Wellbeing Programs

  • Maggie our school therapy dog

  • Resilience Project

  • Respectful Relationships & White Ribbon Day

  • School Counsellor and social skills programs

  • Harmony Day

  • Day for Dolly

  • Bullying No Way Day and other bullying prevention programs

  • Sorry Day

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Respectful Relationships

Respectful Relationships promotes respect and gender equality and helps students learn how to build healthy relationships. It prepares students to face challenges by developing problem-solving skills and building resilience and confidence.

St Mary’s School is involved in the Respectful Relationships initiative and we are building a culture of respect and gender equality, by looking at our practices and policies to drive meaningful change.

Student Counsellor

At St Mary’s our school counsellor is available one day per week to assist our families and students.  If you believe your child would benefit from working with our counsellor please contact the principal at principal@smmansfield.catholic.edu.au or ring the school on 5775 2670.  

 

Through careful guidance and dedicated support, our school counsellor plays a pivotal role in shaping the academic success, and social development of  our students. 

The profound significance of school counsellors lies in their ability to bridge the gap between educational objectives and future success for young individuals.

One of the foremost benefits of school our counsellor is her adeptness at instilling motivation in students, transforming them into eager learners driven by a desire for personal growth and achievement. By nurturing this intrinsic motivation,  our school counsellor empowers students to navigate the complexities of academic challenges with resilience and tenacity.

Furthermore,  our school counsellor serves as an invaluable resource in assisting students in exploring, diverse paths and opportunities. Through personalised guidance and insightful counselling sessions, counsellors help students uncover their passions and talents, equipping them with the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their future endeavours and behaviours.

Our school counsellor plays a crucial role in addressing the emotional and social well-being of students. They create a safe and supportive environment where students can express their concerns, fears, and anxieties openly. In instances where students may face difficulty communicating with their friends, parents or guardians, school counsellors offer individual counselling sessions to provide a confidential space for students to explore their emotions and seek guidance.

Moreover, in situations where group dynamics or larger issues arise within a cohort of students,  our school counsellor facilitates group counselling sessions to address shared concerns and foster a sense of community and support. Through a collaborative effort involving students, parents, and external resources, St Mary’s School counsellor works towards resolving complex issues and identifying the necessary interventions or support systems to promote student well-being.

Ultimately,  St Mary’s school counsellor acts as a pillar of support, guidance, and empowerment for our students, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to overcome academic and social challenges. Their unwavering dedication to the holistic development of students underscores the vital role she plays in shaping the future success and well-being of our students.

Lunch Time Activities

At St Mary’s we provide a variety of activities for our students to engage in during the lunch break.

  • Library activities

  • Gardening

  • Sandpit toys

  • Sports equipment

  • Lego/games in the principal's office

  • Colouring

  • Sports activities

  • Open Library during lunch time Wednesday and Thursday

Student Voice

I have been at St Mary’s since Prep and I have always found it a safe and happy environment. Every time I look around at the school with children playing I think of what a lovely place it is for everyone, from the Junior School right through to the school leaders in Grade Six. Overall it is a wonderful school of friendship, faith and learning.

- Harriet 

School Captain 2024

 

I am so proud of being school captain for 2024. At St Mary’s we are kind and we also look out for each other. We have a Buddy seat so if you are lonely everyone can be helped to find a friend. At our school we do lots of different activities like camp, sport competitions, representing our school at ANZAC Day and excursions. We also have a school canteen every Friday. At St Mary’s we have kind teachers that help everyone learn different things.

- Nixen Martin 

School Captain 2024

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Sunsmart School

As a SunSmart School, St. Mary's upholds the importance of sun protection and occupational health and safety for its students and staff members. Embracing the nationally recognised SunSmart Schools program, the institution not only fulfils its duty of care requirements but also actively engages in UV risk reduction practices.

 

The guidelines set forth by the SunSmart program mandate that all students must wear hats and apply sunscreen from September through the end of April each year. To facilitate compliance with these regulations, sunscreen is readily available at all school events, ensuring that adequate protection is accessible to all individuals. Additionally, school hats can be conveniently purchased from the school office, further promoting sun safety among the school community.

 

By adhering to the SunSmart principles, St. Mary's demonstrates a proactive approach towards sun protection, fostering a safe and healthy environment for both students and staff. This commitment not only aligns with occupational health and safety obligations but also serves as a commendable example of prioritising well-being within the educational setting.

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