St Joseph’s Wingham follows the PBS model for promoting positive expectations within the school. PBS is based around four core behavioural expectations that reflect our community’s values and encompass our current school rules.
- I am Safe
- I am Respectful
- I am a Learner
- I am a Steward of Creation
Respect for all: Respect for self and others means valuing people and property. It requires us to be tolerant, accept individual differences and reject harassment and bullying in any form. It also means students must respect the right of teachers to teach and students to learn.
Justice for all: Encompasses fairness, equity, honesty and a commitment to upholding that which is right - which are our ‘Touchstone Values’. The school will seek to be just in all its dealings.
Wellbeing for all: We want to nurture personal resilience and the development of positive social skills. The school plays a vital role in promoting the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, moral, and aesthetic development and well-being of our students. Therefore, the school supports students to develop skills and understanding to keep themselves and others safe, as well as actively developing a safe school environment.
Quality and excellence for all: We want our students to become successful learners and confident and creative individuals. This demands high quality instruction, a quality learning environment, effective models of leadership and partnerships with parents.
Sustainability for all: We acknowledge our responsibility to be stewards of our earth and all of God's creation. Sustainability of resources means responsible management, care of the environment and a system of operation that is designed to enhance the future wellbeing of the planet.
Positive wellbeing is the concept which underpins pastoral care. St Joseph's Wingham is focused on the positive wellbeing of our whole school community. We are conscious of the need to promote healthy wellbeing in all areas of the human person. Mental health is of paramount importance. We recognise the flow-on effects of positive mental wellbeing to academic achievement and whole of life satisfaction. At St Joseph’s Wingham we offer a number of programs that help to promote a positive mindset and healthy wellbeing, including:
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
St Joseph’s Wingham follows the PBS model for promoting positive expectations within the school. PBS is based around three core behavioural expectations that reflect our community’s values and encompass our current school rules. We call them “The 3 Wise I’s”: I am Safe, I am Respectful and I am a Learner.
Introducing, modelling and reinforcing positive social behaviour is an important part of a student’s educational experience. Teaching behavioural expectations and rewarding students for following them is both proactive and positive. Each week, as part of the program, the classroom teachers teach students expected behaviours. The same behaviours are taught across the school to help maintain uniformity and to ensure that all behaviours are taught throughout the year. The weekly focus area is published in the school newsletter so that parents can discuss it with their child and reinforce these strategies.
Early Birds and Buddies
When students enrol at St Joseph’s in Kindergarten, they are supported in their transition by a buddy allocated to them from the following year’s Year 6 class. These buddies work together throughout our four week ‘Early Birds’ transition program for prospective Kindergarten students, to help the new Kinder students learn the routines of the school and settle in the life of a “big schooler”. At many times throughout the school year the buddies then work together and form lifelong friendships.
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 students to learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand and respond well to grief and loss experiences (e.g. death, separation, divorce).
Breakfast Club
Our school breakfast club is open every morning from 8.40am. Children are able to come and get toast and a glass of milk or juice to ensure they are ready for their day of learning.
Art and Garden Club
Students are able to attend our Art and Garden clubs during lunch times providing them with an opportunity to work with our Pastoral Care Worker.
Counselling
Where a need for specific assistance is identified, St Joseph’s Wingham also offers the services of a School Psychologist as required.
Support Personnel
Learning Support Team
Students at St Joseph's Primary School, Wingham, are supported in their learning by a Learning Support Teacher and Learning Support Assistants. The Learning Support team work to support both the Pastoral and Academic needs of the students.
Clinical Psychologist
St Joseph's has the services of a Clinical Psychologist, provided through the Catholic Schools Office. The psychologist provides support with academic and social assessments. Recommendations are made to assist parents and teachers to cater for the ongoing educational needs of the students.