Wellbeing

Student Wellbeing at Woodlands

Most of the student wellbeing work at Woodlands is done at a classroom level with the teaching staff. Your child’s teacher is almost always the best place to start if you are looking for additional information and support. The Student Wellbeing Coordinator is an additional resource for support.

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

The Student Wellbeing Coordinator helps teachers and Integration Aides in their support of children with disabilities, mental health difficulties, learning challenges and welfare concerns that impact on their ability to engage at school.

We are able to facilitate some referral options for counselling or assessment for possible disability where difficulties are having an impact on children in the school environment. There can be waiting lists involved for these resources, and in some cases students may not be eligible, but please get in contact if you would like to discuss additional support options.

Katrina Hooke is the full time Student Wellbeing Coordinator at Woodlands Primary School. Katrina is a psychologist, and while counselling and psychological assessment are not a part of her role at Woodlands, this background and experience is beneficial.

Programs

THRIVE
Woodlands Primary School is part of the Langwarrin Positive Education Network. The THRIVE program is based on the principles of Positive Psychology and aims to improve the mental health and general wellbeing of all our students, staff and families.

Seasons for Growth
Seasons for Growth is a small group grief and loss education program. It is based on the belief that change and loss are part of life and grief is a normal response to these losses. The Seasons for Growth program provides an opportunity for children to learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand and respond well to grief and loss experiences (e.g. death, separation, divorce).

Keep an eye on the newsletter for opportunities for your child to be part of this program (there can be a wait involved).

Counselling
We have partnered with Ozchild who employ mental health professionals to provide counselling to students in schools.

PLAY leaders
Some of our Year 5 and 6 leaders have completed training to become PLAY leaders. PLAY leaders facilitate games and activities for other students in the yard at lunch time.

Lunch time programs
We run a range of lunchtime programs, with something available for students every day as an alternative to playing in the yard (link to timetable).

THRIVE awards
Every week our teachers award students for demonstrating positive traits and behaviours in line with our THRIVE values.

Act of Kindness awards
Students have the opportunity to nominate their peers for an award when someone has done something kind for them.

Buddy Program
Our Year 5 students love supporting their Foundation buddies throughout the year. Buddies help with the transition to primary school, spend time in the classroom together and help each other out around the playground when needed.

Transition support
Students transitioning in and out of Woodlands Primary School (coming in to Foundation or leaving us for secondary school) are supported through transition programs.