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.

School-Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (SPBL)

What is SPBL?

School-wide positive behaviour support is an evidence-based framework preventing and responding to student behaviour. It aims to create a positive school climate, a culture of student competence and an open, responsive management system for all school community members. Instead of using many different behaviour management strategies, a consistent system of expectations for all students within our school is implemented in all areas including in classrooms and on the playground. 

Our students know these expectations as our school rules:

  • Care for Self
  • Care for Others 
  • Care for Our Place

If a student is witnessed to have been following the school expectations on the playground they receive a ‘GOTCHA’. GOTCHAs are tallied in the classroom and are rewarded at Gold Awards Assembly on Wednesday afternoons (Infants Odd Weeks and Primary Even Weeks) with the following:

  • 10: Wristband
  • 30: School ruler and eraser
  • 60: Holy Family pin 
  • 100: Holy Family medal and morning tea with the Principal

GOTCHAs are also collected and a lucky recipient is drawn from a grade raffle to receive some negotiated free-time in the classroom.

Playground Behaviour Expectations: as per our Matrix

Our Catholic Care school counsellor is an excellent support to our school community. Student achievement is recognised and celebrated through our school award system, assemblies and school newsletter.

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: