Wellbeing

Student Wellbeing

Learning and wellbeing are inextricably linked — students learn best when their wellbeing is optimised, and they develop a strong sense of wellbeing when they experience success in learning. We aim to be proactive in managing student wellbeing, not just reactive. Our whole school social and emotional learning program gives everyone a common language to develop the social and emotional skills to be successful in school, experience wellbeing and have positive relationships with others. Our aim is to develop students who are self-regulating, responsible and accountable, who are able to problem solve and show empathy towards others.

In 2024, the school is focusing on the implementation of the “Respectful Relationships” program. The aim is to further develop a culture that values and respects the efforts and contributions of all community members as well as promoting open and effective communication and community involvement.

In addition, each year level has developed You Can Do It and Play is the Way activities for students to focus on the 4 foundations of: Getting Along, Confidence, Persistence and Organisation. Students are supported to develop social and emotional learning goals and parents are invited to participate in a discussion about their goals with their child and the classroom teacher during parent teacher interview times. 

We encourage students and parents to contact their classroom teachers to discuss any concerns they may have for their child’s wellbeing. Chandler Park Primary School has a number of programs and policies to support the wellbeing of our students, alongside a Wellbeing Assistant Principal and Inclusion Leading Teacher. Our wellbeing program is further supported by clinicians from the Education Department including Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech and Occupational Therapists, on a needs/referral basis.

Resilience Project

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, providing practical, evidence-based, positive mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness. Through presentations, school curriculum, teacher diaries and their app, they seek to help all Australians become mentally healthy.

They have delivered programs to over 650 government, independent and private schools nationally and are regarded as one of the most engaging positive mental health programs in the country.

Their approach is to work with the whole school community including teachers, students and parents helping them understand the importance of practicing and implementing key strategies to build resilience and drive sustainable change.

Attendance: It’s not ok to be away, or late.

Please remember that when your child is absent from school a note or call to the office is needed to explain the absence, as this is a Department of Education requirement. The school is required by the Department of Education to contact parents each day if the school hasn’t already been notified of student absences.

Getting your child to school on-time every day, unless they are sick, is something that you can do to ensure your child has a chance to succeed in school. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.

Being away from school for one day a fortnight equals missing 1.5 years over 13 years of school

Why it’s important
We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day. If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.

Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading.

Getting in early
Attendance patterns are established early – a child regularly missing days in kindergarten or in the early years of school will often continue to miss classes in the later years, and receive lower test scores than their classmates.

It’s vital that students go to school every day – even in the early years of primary school.

In Victoria school is compulsory for children and young people aged 6 -17 years

Student Absences

The main reasons for absence are:

Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and developing good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference.

Family holidays – It’s vital that holidays are planned during school holidays where possible, and not during the term. If you are planning to go on holiday during term time, make sure that you talk to your child’s school in advance, and work with them to develop an absence learning plan.

“Day off” – Think twice before letting your child have a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts.

Truancy – This is when students choose not to go to school without their parent’s permission. There can be many reasons for truancy. The best way to address this is for schools and parents to work together.

Every Day Counts

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with their classroom teacher as early as possible.

Openly communicating with your child’s school about all absences is a good way to prevent attendance issues being escalated to a School Attendance Officer. A School Attendance Officer is a Department of Education and Training Regional Director who has authority to follow up attendance issues. Chronic or ongoing attendance issues that are escalated can lead to an Infringement Notice being issued to parents.

Top attendance tips for parents

  • Schools want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support
  • Remember that every day counts
  • There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
  • Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
  • Open and prompt communication with your child’s school about all absences is a good idea
  • Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
  • Seek help from your school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. Schools want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club began at Chandler Park Primary School in 2018. It is a social environment where all students are welcome to attend. Breakfast Club runs everyday from 8:15am until 8:45am. Students can have toast, toasted cheese sandwiches, milk, fruit and cereal. Please come along and join us! Free to all students!