Positive wellbeing is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn, develop and thrive at school.

We know that when students feel supported, they are more engaged with their learning.

At Sydney Catholic Schools, we commit to providing safe, supportive and inclusive environments which nurture the wellbeing of all students and staff in our community.

Our student wellbeing policy is underpinned by the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. The framework recognises five elements that are key to supporting the whole school community to build and maintain safe, positive relationships and wellbeing: leadership, inclusion, student voice, partnerships and support.

This is complemented by the Be You Framework, a national initiative for educators aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people. The integration of both frameworks supports our school communities to provide every student with the strongest foundation possible for them to reach their aspirations in learning and in life.

We have a systemic approach to wellbeing and positive behaviour with tiers of support to meet the diverse needs of staff, students and families. The offerings range from whole school initiatives, actively seeking student voice, system policies on anti-bullying, student counselling, staff training in student wellbeing, along with targeted interventions for students with complex social and emotional needs.

Student WellbeingSt Bernard’s Catholic Primary School Botany has adopted the Schoolwide Positive Behaviours for Learning (SPBL) initiative. Through this, clear expectations are communicated to the whole community, students are explicitly taught how to meet these expectations and they are are rewarded for consistently demonstrating positive behaviours. Clear consequences are in place for students who choose not to meet school expectations. This positive approach aims to help students learn from their mistakes and developing  self-discipline, responsibility and resilience, providing security and supporting their wellbeing.

Our School Expectations
At St Bernard’s we are learners who are:

  • Respectful
  • Responsible
  • Resilient and
  • Safe

Positive behaviours are rewarded consistently, especially at weekly assemblies. Our student leadership program includes a peer support program and buddies program, both of which provide support for all students.

School Counsellor
Our CatholicCare appointed school counsellor provides one-to-one counselling sessions to students in need. She also runs small group sessions and supports whole school wellbeing programs like the peer support program. All referrals for school counselling are processed through the principal. Parent workshops for issues like managing anxiety or cyber-safety are provided.

Anti-bullying policy

St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School Botany rejects all forms of bullying behaviours, including online (or cyber) bullying, by maintaining a commitment to providing safe, inclusive and respectful learning communities that promote student wellbeing for learning. Staff at Sydney Catholic Schools are committed to employing wellbeing strategies that allow for a healthy school environment where bullying is less likely to occur.

If your child is experiencing bullying of any kind, or you have a wellbeing concern, we have a number of support services available for parents/carers and students, as listed below.

Support services: