Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, our approach to Pastoral Care and Wellbeing is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus, "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). We believe that nurturing the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our students is essential for their overall development.
"Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).
School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPB) is a fundamental approach that shapes our school culture and fosters a positive and supportive environment for all students.
It is an inclusive framework that promotes a common understanding of behavioural expectations and encourages the development of positive character traits.
The School Wide Positive Behaviour approach is based on the values of each student being a faith filled, respectful and resilient learner. These values are not only taught explicitly, they are also integrated into everyday practices and interactions within the school community. We believe that by consistently modelling and reinforcing these values, we can create a school environment that promotes the overall wellbeing and success of our students.
The key principles of our School
Wide Positive Behaviour approach includes:
Clearly Defined Expectations:
We have established clear and specific behavioural expectations that are communicated to all students, staff, parents, and stakeholders.
These expectations are aligned with our school values and cover various aspects of school life, including classroom behaviour, social interactions and participation in school activities.
Positive Reinforcement:
We believe in recognising, rewarding and celebrating positive behaviour. Our school community actively acknowledges and rewards students who consistently demonstrate the desired behaviours.
This positive reinforcement can take the form of verbal praise, certificates, awards or special privileges, fostering a sense of achievement and motivation among students.
Consistency and Fairness:
The School Wide Positive Behaviour approach ensures that behavioural expectations and consequences are consistently applied across all areas of the school.
This promotes fairness and a sense of equity among students, as they understand that the same standards apply to all. Consistency also helps to establish a predictable and stable environment, which contributes to students’ sense of safety and security.
Teaching and Modelling:
We actively teach and model appropriate behaviours and social skills. Our teachers incorporate explicit instruction on positive behaviour into their lessons, providing students with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively navigate social situations.
By consistently modelling positive behaviour, our staff serve as role models for students, reinforcing the desired attitudes and values.
Collaborative Approach:
The School Wide Positive Behaviour approach involves collaboration among students, staff, parents and the wider school community. We believe that everyone shares responsibility for creating a positive and respectful environment.
Regular communication and partnerships with parents are fostered, ensuring that the expectations and principles of positive behaviour are consistently reinforced both at school and at home.
Implementing the School Wide Positive Behaviour approach
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School aims to create a culture that nurtures the social and emotional development of our students.
This approach not only encourages positive behaviour, it helps to prevent and address challenging behaviours through proactive strategies. By emphasising faith filled, respectful and resilient learning, we cultivate a school community that supports the holistic growth and wellbeing of all our students.
We are proud to implement the whole school framework called
'Be You'
which focuses on Mental Health and Wellbeing. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to support the social and emotional development of our students at every year level.
Our school also integrates the Mind Up Program, a social and emotional program that is embedded throughout the curriculum. This program equips our students with the necessary tools and strategies to enhance their self-awareness, self-regulation and empathy.
At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, we believe in fostering student leadership and development. We provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in community service and take on leadership roles. Through these experiences, our students develop a sense of responsibility, empathy and compassion towards the needs of others.
To support our students further, we have a dedicated school based Counsellor. The Counsellor offers confidential support and guidance to students, addressing their social and emotional needs. This additional resource ensures that our students have access to professional assistance when needed.
We also implement the Zones of Regulation program, which helps students recognise and effectively manage their emotions. Through this program, students learn to understand and regulate their feelings, promoting a positive and calm learning environment.
