Student Wellbeing

In the Junior Years, we aim to provide a learning environment that encourages all students to feel safe, valued and unique. We believe that for a student to thrive at school they need to be socially and emotionally grounded.

The Junior Years supports the mental and physical wellbeing of each student through the following approaches:

  • Pastoral Care – teaching students strategies to develop emotional intelligence
  • Protective Behaviours – understanding that we all have the right to feel safe
  • Daily Fitness – supporting students physical and mental health
  • Service Learning – promoting the importance of giving of ourselves 
  • Mindfulness – finding a sense of emotional grounding during a busy school day
  • Refuelling – encouraging students to support their learning by eating healthily and hydrating
  • Community Choir – developing tolerance and understanding of others through music
  • House Activities – gaining a sense of being and belonging
  • Peer Support – working as team to support each other’s wellbeing
  • Buddy Program – making connections with younger peers

All students engage in weekly pastoral care lessons with incidental teaching moments encouraged.

The Head of Junior Years and Head of Department Junior Years provide additional support to those students who need it.

We pride ourselves on the connections we make with the students and their families, seeking to build a strong sense of community.

'My best memory of last year was ‘Friendology Day’ because in mindfulness class we got to create our happy place, which I found relaxing.' — Year 4 student

Junior Years GIFTS ProgramThe GIFTS program

The ‘Give In Faith, To Serve’ (GIFTS) program is an integral part of the Year 5 learning journey. All students explore the importance of serving others by giving of themselves. They learn about the self-less acts others do for those less fortunate and invite local aged care residents to share their life stories over afternoon tea.

 

Galatians 5:13 says, ‘You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.’ (New International Version)

 

  

 

Junior Years SMILE Program

The SMILE program

Our Pastoral Care program aims to develop the following skills in each child:

  • Self-Management
  • Motivation
  • Initiative
  • Listening
  • Empathy

The program covers a range of topics including personal goal setting and building positive friendships. In addition, we deliver the Protective Behaviours WA program during Term 1 and Term 4, with our students learning that they have a right to feel safe at all times.

'Our peers wear a smile on their face and show kindness to others.’ — Junior Years Student Council Executive

Junior Years Peer SupportPeer Support and House Activities

Each Friday, the Junior Years students get together to celebrate being a part of a House community. A range of House activities is on offer across the year aimed at developing the students sporting prowess, team spirit and resilience. In addition, the students participate in the Peer Support program run by our Year 6 students. The skills learned underpin the Pastoral Care program within the Junior Years.

Junior Years House Activities