WHY IS WELLBEING IMPORTANT?

• 1 in 5 Australians suffer from a mental illness in any given year
• 1 in 7 primary age children are experiencing mental health problems
• 1 in 4 secondary students are experiencing mental health problems
(Smiling Mind, 2020)

Student mental health and wellbeing is a top priority at Koondrook Primary School. We understand that mental health and wellbeing are fundamental to each child’s performance in all aspects of their lives. By encouraging students to be respectful, responsible and resilient, we aim to equip each student with the knowledge, skills and tools that will encourage healthy mental attitudes and a sense of wellbeing, so children can learn to:

• have a positive outlook and learn constructive thinking habits
• treat themselves and others with kindness
• recognise that each choice they make creates a future of likely consequences and outcomes
• understand and feel good about themselves and the choices that they make
• be caring and active community members

The Wellbeing Programs currently in practice at Koondrook Primary School include:
• Respectful Relationships
• Zones of Regulation
• Smiling Mind

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RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS

The Respectful Relationships Program helps students to learn how to:
• build healthy relationships
• develop resilience
• build confidence

By teaching the Respectful Relationships program, we aim to embed a culture of respect and inclusiveness across the entire school community, from our classrooms, staffrooms, playgrounds, sporting fields and social events.

This approach can enable positive outcomes for children such as:
• increased academic performance
• healthier mental outlook
• improved engagement and behaviour in the classroom
• respectful relationships between students and teachers

How is Respectful Relationships implemented at Koondrook Primary?
Each class has a dedicated Respectful Relationship lesson each week. These lessons are taught by the classroom teacher. Each lesson focusses on a key learning area such as Positive Coping and Problem Solving. This regular exposure to Respectful Relationships themes ensures these behaviours, skills and tools are a priority for students and teachers, and enables the behaviours to become embedded into the culture of the School.

If you would like to find out more, please go to:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/respectfulrelationships.aspx

THE ZONES OF REGULATION

The ZONES of Regulation program aims to explain emotions, behaviours and how the body feels in terms that primary children can understand.

The ZONES of Regulation Program can help children to regulate their moods and behaviours by:
• increasing their vocabulary and understanding of emotional terms
• recognising that different Zones will be experienced in different situations, and that is okay
• using appropriate tools and strategies to change or stay in the Zone they are in
• read other people’s facial expressions and behaviours to identify how they are feeling
• understanding how their behaviour is seen by others, and how they react to it
• gaining insight into the events that trigger their behaviour
• using calming and alerting strategies as required
• using problem-solving skills to identify what strategies or tools are required

What are the Zones of Regulation? Click here to learn more.

If you would like to find out more, please go to:
https://zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html

SMILING MIND

Smiling Mind is a mindfulness program. Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and without judgement. It is often called ‘being in the moment’.
The key benefits of children developing their mindfulness include:
• Cognitive: improved concentration, attention, focus, memory, cognitive flexibility, clarity, reasoning, planning.
• Emotional: enhanced self-awareness, self-compassion, improved emotional wellbeing and self-regulation, positive affect, increased empathy, lowered anxiety levels.
• Physical: increased immune function, lower blood pressure and heart rate, improved sleep, reduced stress and fatigue.
• Performance: enhanced creativity and productivity, better decision making and problem solving, improved focus, increased emotional control, enhanced goal directed behaviour.
• Social Benefits: more pro-social and collaborative behaviour, increased empathy, less aggressive behaviours.
How Smiling Mind implemented at Koondrook Primary?
The Smiling Mind program was introduced to Koondrook Primary school in 2021.
In 2022, staff and students participate in weekly or even daily Smiling Mind activities.

If you would like to find out more, please go to:

• SMILING MIND APP https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app

• THE SCIENCE BEHIND MINDFULNESS – Dr Craig Hassed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsXxvPWd_k4