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.

At St Martha’s Catholic Primary School Strathfield we promote student wellbeing through:

  • Our social skills and anti-bullying programs. These two programs run across the school in alternate grades promoting respect and responsibility. There is an emphasis on respect of self and of others and their property, as well as on the responsibility of being a member of the St Martha’s Catholic School community and of being a good friend. 
  • SPBL (School wide Positive Behaviour for Learning) Students are taught how to BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL and BE RESPONSIBLE at school. Throughout the day, students are rewarded for displaying this behaviour, and twice a term they are rewarded with a school-wide prize of their choice.
  • Our Cool Kids program, which teaches children how to better manage anxiety.

Buddy programs, which give the senior students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and give Kindergarten students support via a helpful senior friend.

Anti-bullying policy

Sydney Catholic Schools 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: