Wellbeing

At Sacred Heart Primary School, the wellbeing of every child is central to who we are and what we do. We believe that students learn best when they feel safe, supported and connected—emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Our approach to wellbeing is whole-school, proactive, and inclusive. We partner with families, staff and community agencies to nurture a school environment where every child is known, valued and empowered to thrive.

Child Safety

We are a proud Child Safe School and uphold a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse. Our practices are guided by the 11 Child Safe Standards set by the Victorian Government, and embedded in every part of school life.

We are committed to:

Respecting and empowering children and young people
Embedding child safety into our daily practices and school culture
Creating a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Supporting the rights and safety of students with disabilities
Recruiting and training staff with child safety as a priority
Listening to and acting on concerns and feedback

Our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct outline the responsibilities of all staff, volunteers and visitors. These documents are available on our website and in hard copy upon request.

Our Child Safety Officer, Mrs Fiona Pike, is available to support students and families with any concerns.
Phone: (03) 5023 1204
Email: fpike@shmildura.catholic.edu.au

A Partnership Approach

Wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. At Sacred Heart, our dedicated wellbeing team—including our Deputy Principal: Mental Health and Wellbeing and our Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Officer—works in partnership with families, classroom teachers, and external professionals to ensure students are supported in a coordinated and compassionate way.

We believe that when school and home work together, students flourish.

Break Times and Active Supervision

Our yard duty approach prioritises proactive supervision and meaningful engagement. We’ve redesigned break times to:

Include earlier lunch breaks
Offer structured play and calm spaces
Reduce conflict and improve transitions

Learning Support Officers and teaching staff are actively present across all yard spaces. They build strong relationships with students, support regulation, and step in early to help solve problems, creating a safe and inclusive environment.

Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Supports (SWPBS)

At Sacred Heart, we focus on teaching the behaviours we want to see, rather than reacting to misbehaviour.

Our three school-wide expectations are:

Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe

These are explicitly taught in every classroom and reinforced daily across the school. Students are acknowledged through positive feedback, token systems, weekly awards, and end-of-term celebrations. This consistent approach helps every student feel secure, valued and ready to learn.

The Resilience Project

All students participate in weekly wellbeing lessons through The Resilience Project, which focuses on:

Gratitude
Empathy
Mindfulness (GEM)

This engaging, evidence-based program helps students develop emotional literacy, build perspective and strengthen mental health. It includes student journals, classroom activities, and family engagement through the online Parent/Carer Hub.

The Resilience Project Parent Hub

Komodo Wellbeing Platform

Students in Foundation to Year 6 complete regular digital wellbeing check-ins through Komodo—a safe and age-appropriate platform where they can share how they’re feeling.

The data helps staff:

Notice wellbeing trends
Tailor support and follow up early
Track progress over time

This empowers students to reflect on their emotions and builds a culture where they know their feelings are seen and supported.

SchoolTV

Parents and carers have free access to SchoolTV, a trusted online platform offering expert information on topics like:

Anxiety
Friendships
Sleep
Body image
Digital safety

Designed for busy families, SchoolTV offers bite-sized videos, articles, fact sheets and tips to support your child’s wellbeing at home.

Self-Regulation and Interoception

We teach students to recognise and manage their emotions through strategies like:

Daily mindfulness
Interoception activities (noticing body signals for stress, hunger, tiredness)
Calming routines and sensory breaks

This helps students build awareness of their needs, take responsibility for their emotional responses, and apply regulation strategies when needed.

Targeted Interventions

When students need extra support with regulation, friendships, anxiety, or other wellbeing concerns, we offer small group or individual support led by our Deputy Principal: Mental Health and Wellbeing and our Mental Health and Wellbeing Support staff member. This team works closely with classroom staff and families to provide consistent and practical support. Some students need additional support—and we’re here to provide it through:

1:1 wellbeing check-ins
Small group programs for friendship, anxiety, confidence and regulation
Classroom collaboration with teachers to embed individualised strategies
Partnerships with allied health professionals when required

Our regular support programs include:

Rock and Water – Builds confidence, self-awareness, and respectful relationships
Social Stencil – Focuses on friendship skills and positive communication
MESH (Mental, Emotional, Social Health) – A responsive small-group wellbeing framework

Our Wellbeing Dog – Coco

Coco, our friendly and much-loved labradoodle, plays a special role in our wellbeing program.

Her calm, loving presence helps students:

Regulate during emotional moments
Transition calmly between settings
Engage more confidently in class or small-group work

Students love reading to Coco, spending time with her during breaks, in the classroom or simply enjoying a gentle pat.

Access our SchoolTV Portal

A Partnership Approach

Fullness of Life for All

Our Catholic mission is centred on ensuring every student experiences connection, joy, belonging, and purpose. We commit to creating a school where each child is known, loved, and supported to flourish.

Inspired by the Gospel and the DOBCEL Fullness of Life for All: Relationships and Sexuality Framework, we help students:

Explore identity, empathy and safety
Understand human dignity
Build respectful relationships

This framework supports our commitment to teaching wellbeing in a way that is developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and grounded in Catholic values.

Student Leadership and Voice

Leadership is a key part of student life at Sacred Heart. We believe every child can be a leader and are striving to develop leaders. At Sacred Heart, students build confidence, responsibility and communication skills through a wide range of opportunities:

Student Representative Council
Sacred Heart Environmental Committee (SHEC)
Foundation-Year 6 Buddy Program
Choir and School Band
Peer mentors and play leaders

These leadership roles help students contribute meaningfully to our school community and develop the skills to make a difference—now and in the future.