Gratitude Grabs

Every Monday morning at St Joseph’s, each class is going to have a focus of gratitude during their morning prayer, with the goal of helping our students to feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships with each other. Teachers will help model the gratitude grabs at Assembly to provide examples on how we can change our mindset to believe that even when life feels challenging at times, we have so much to be grateful for. 

Mindfulness

All classes have received a ‘Mindfulness Moments’
box for theirclassroom this year to assist in explicitly teaching our students the skills of being fully present, reflective, regulated and self aware. Each box contains interocepti

on tools that help to engage all of the senses, Big Life Journals and Mindful Talk cards. Mindfulness will be incorporated once a week in classrooms and/or in our outdoor learning spaces. 

PIVOT

This year, to empower student voice and maximise learning at St Joseph’s, we will be accessing Pivot’s evidence-based survey tools to monitor, track and support student wellbeing across Years 3-6. The Pivot survey instruments are based on best-practice research and are aligned to global teaching frameworks. Designed to be delivered in cycles throughout the school year, it provides teachers and leaders with timely insight into students' learning experience.

Second Step Wellbeing Program K-6

Second Step is a universal, classroom-based social emotional learning program that we are implementing across K-6 that teaches skills for social and academic success. The evidence-based program has been proven to increase school readiness and social success, decrease problematic behaviours and promote self regulation skills and social-emotional competence. Second Step is based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework of social and emotional learning (SEL). Second Step teaches the five core competencies outlined in the CASEL Framework: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Get ready for family links that will come home throughout the course of the year as student progress through the program. We can’t wait to embark on this new journey as a community.

Class Features

In our Newsletters, we will be highlighting a different class in each fortnightly edition, giving you a glimpse into the wonderful ways your children are engaging with wellbeing in their classrooms. Each teacher at St Joseph’s has a unique way of supporting the mental, emotional, and social development of their students. Stay tuned for our first feature in the next newsletter, where we will spotlight one class's approach to wellbeing. We look forward to sharing their stories with you!

Pastoral Care Worker 

Welcome to Helene O’Neill who is our Pastoral Care Worker at St Joseph’s. She is known to some through her involvement in sport on all levels, to others because of her work with fellow cancer survivors, to Novocastrians as a former City Councillor and to parishioners as a committed and active member of her church community. Helene will be on site Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays supporting students and their families. 

Pivot Parent Consent Form  

Please read the following consent form and note that all students in Years 3-6 will be participating in Pivot this year unless otherwise stated by parents. Opt out instructions can be found in the attached letter. 

Student Wellbeing Team Expression of Interest (EOI) 

It is with excitement that we open our expression of interest to students interested in joining the Student Wellbeing Team in 2025. Those wishing to submit their EOIs in Year 3 will submit a paper copy, while students in Years 3-6 will return a Teams assignment online. EOIs close on Friday 21st February. 

SchoolTV 

Settling into a new school year can take time. Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. However, for many it may also be a very anxious and stressful time for both parents and children. If you need support CLICK HERE to access SchoolTV’s ample resources regarding transitions.  

Chloe Coe  
Wellbeing Coordinator