kids matter2

8/2/2019 Kids Matter2

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St. Brigid’s Primary School has used the KidsMatter framework to support thedevelopment and implementation of a number of strategies that assist in the promotion

of positive mental health and wellbeing as well as the establishment of an environment

that encourages respectful relationships, belonging and inclusion. (COMPONENT 1).

St. Brigid’s began its journey with KidsMatter with staff training and surveying of staff –

including LSA’s in an effort to gain a snapshot of our perceptions of the current strengths

and weaknesses of our community.



We discovered that the majority of our staff viewed our school community

positively in terms of COMMUNITY.

Our families were also surveyed randomly, with a modified version of the staff

survey. A large majority of our families reported our school community as a positive

environment.

Our survey results, while very positive and encouraging, suggested parents felt the

area of inclusiveness based on cultural diversity was most lacking.



Following the survey, an Implementation Team was established.

The team consists of:

•David Palmer (Principal)

•Narelle Vandermaat (LST)

•Kay Latham (Exec.)

•Cath Garrett-Jones•Sarah Whalley (K/1 Teacher)

•Anne Hayter (Parent – selection based on skill).



STRATEGIES

IMPLEMENTED



Awareness DayAn “Awareness Day” was planned and implemented to celebrate

cultural diversity and heritage within our school as well as launchthe KidsMatter framework within our school. Our new Hall was

used to conduct a liturgy celebrating the cultural heritage of ourstudents and also recognize the local indigenous people and theirculture. The “Black Pearl Dancers” – a local aboriginal dance groupmade up of children and youth from the RT area performed severaldances for our school – this also recognized NAIDOC Week

celebration as well as the 2011 Book week theme: One World,Many Stories.

The Awareness Day also provided us with a platform to launch theKidsMatter framework within our school.



School Portal Development

In order to share resourceswith parents in anaccessible way, a dedicateddissection has been createdon our school portal. Avariety of resources fromthe KidsMatter guide have

been scanned and loadedonto the portal withreferences made in ourNewsletter.

The selection of material has

generally related to issuesbeing addressed at schoolduring a given period of time.



Parent Workshop

Our families (and those with children 0 – 12 in theRT and Karuah area) will benefit from a WS to beheld in the next month in our Hall. This has beenpossible as a result of the successful applicationfor a Community Activity Fund grant of $1000.00.The grant will be used to fund the cost of catering, printed resources and advertising. This

supports the implementation of a positive andinclusive school community in a LGA.



Harmony Day

A variety of activities are being planned and

organized to celebrate Harmony Day. Our Year6 children with the support of the Student

Parliament are managing this event. Harmony

Day will involve a number of cultural activitiesfrom story telling to art and craft activities.



Parent Library

As well as the Parent Portal, ourLibrary houses a Parent Librarywhere families are able toborrow literature specific toparenting, mental health andwell being. Our Pastoral Care

office also houses a number of resources, which are sourcedfrom the local community, andbeyond with the aim of offering

families assistance in accessingrequired mental health andwell-being services.



Family Support and Referral Directory

This directory contains information relevant to

families and childhood development. Itprovides a source of referral information for

families who may have concerns about the

development and well-being of their children.



Re-structuring of PD/H/PE lessons

Our PD/H/PE lessons have been re-

structured with a focus onincorporating specific lessons onemotional intelligence, resilienceand social skill development.These lessons allow issued withineach class group to be exploredon a needs base also providingchildren an opportunity to shareconcerns and collectively work

towards positive solutions whichallow for appropriate socialdevelopment.



Social Group/Lunch Library

Club

The library is used toprovide a safe alternative

to the playground for

students who experience

difficulties socially in abusy environment.

Structured activities have

been established as wellas opportunity for

students to pursue their

own interests.



Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day allows our community to recognize the

support provided to us by our senior members. It allows usan opportunity to demonstrate our deep respect andgratitude for their gifts and talents at a Liturgy and sharedlunch and classroom visits.

PlaygroupIn conjunction with our local Parish, a Playgroup has been

established where all members of the wider community arewelcomed and encouraged to attend with their children forsocial interaction. This provides an early connection and

opportunity for interaction with our school.



Active After School (Before School!)

The formal AAS program has been implemented before school

to accommodate transport requirements of our children.

Rock and Water program

This program is in the process of being implemented with the

support of the local Communities for Children (C4C) group.

The new Hall development

This facility has already been widely used in the 8 months sinceits commissioning. The Hall provides a gathering place for

Parish and School activities as well as the possibility of itbeing used as a “community hub” for future activities.



The Behaviour Management Plan (BMP)

The BMP allows for the early

identification of children who are

experiencing difficulty following our

schools code of conduct. It also

allows staff to identify behavioraltrends allowing the implementation

of strategies to assist in the support

of positive behaviour.

kids matter2

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