Wellbeing

St Peter's Primary School Bentleigh East

Sacred Heart Croydon

Sacred Heart is committed to providing a school environment that prioritises wellbeing. The promotion of a whole school approach to student learning and wellbeing is supported by all and led by the Principal, Deputy Principal, Wellbeing, and Learning Diversity Leaders.

Child Safe

Catholic school communities place the highest priority on the care, safety, wellbeing and protection of children and young people. Founded in Christ and sustained by faith, Catholic schools seek to fulfil their mission of enabling each student to come into the fullness of their own humanity. This includes paying attention to the inherent dignity of children and young people, and their fundamental right to be respected, nurtured and safeguarded by all.

Learning Diversity

Students are supported through the Learning Diversity Team, who work alongside teachers and support staff to ensure all students are able to be successful learners. The Learning Diversity team work to support students through:

Inclusion of students in the NCCD
Tier 2 Level B Assessments
Tailoring intervention programs
The development of Personalised Learning Plans

At Sacred Heart, we also offer onsite support services including Allied Health Professionals in the areas of Counselling, Occupational Therapy and Play Therapy.

Social Emotional Learning

At Sacred Heart, we believe that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the foundation of a thriving school community. By equipping our students with the competencies and skills they need to build resilience, they learn to effectively manage their emotions, behaviour, and relationships with others. Our approach is holistic, ensuring that every child develops a deep sense of self-awareness and a genuine empathy for those around them.

To support our students’ development, Sacred Heart integrates evidence-based programmes that align with Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) guidelines, the Child Safe Standards and the Victorian Curriculum.

Berry Street Education

A cornerstone of our pedagogy is the Berry Street Education Model. This trauma-informed approach focuses on five domains: Body, Relationship, Engagement, Stamina, and Character. By implementing BSEM, we help students move from a state of stress to a state of "learning readiness," ensuring they have the self-regulation skills needed to succeed in the classroom.

Respectful Relationships

We utilise elements of the Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) programme to help students develop positive peer dynamics. This curriculum focuses on emotional literacy, personal strengths, and problem-solving, ensuring students have a practical toolkit for navigating life’s challenges and building healthy connections. Lessons are viewed and presented through the Catholic lens of Christ’s message of the dignity of the human person.

Body Bright (Butterfly Foundation)

We are proud to incorporate the Body Bright programme, which promotes positive body image and healthy attitudes towards nutrition and physical activity. By focusing on what their bodies can do rather than just how they look, students build the self-esteem and body confidence necessary to flourish.

Consent Education

In line with MACS requirements and the Victorian Curriculum, we provide age-appropriate consent education. This is not taught in isolation but is woven into our respect-based culture. Students learn about:

Body Autonomy: Understanding their right to feel safe and in control of their own bodies.
Boundaries: How to communicate "yes" and "no" clearly and, more importantly, how to listen to and respect the boundaries of others.
Respectful Communication: Fostering a culture where "consent" is a natural extension of kindness and dignity.

Peaceful Kids

We recognise that some students benefit from more targeted support to manage anxiety and build emotional strength. To address this, we offer the Peaceful Kids programme. Peaceful Kids is a small-group mindfulness and positive psychology programme that helps students:

Learn proven relaxation and mindfulness techniques.
Build emotional resilience and "bounce-back" skills.
Develop a positive mindset to better manage the stresses of everyday life.

By integrating these regulation strategies into their daily routines, we help our students navigate their primary school years with a sense of peace and self-assurance.

Seasons for Growth

A small-group education program designed to help children navigate change, loss, and significant life transitions, such as family separation, moving, or the loss of a loved one. Rooted in the understanding that change is a natural part of life, the program uses the imagery of the changing seasons to help children explore their feelings, build emotional resilience, and develop practical coping skills in a safe, peer-supported space. Led by trained facilitators, Seasons for Growth normalises grief and change, reassuring children that they are not alone and empowering them to adapt, heal, and look forward with hope.

Parent Support

Sacred Heart recognises the importance of working in partnerships with parents / carers to support learning, social and emotional needs of the children.

Families are encouraged to create lines of communication with the school in order to support each family unit. This may include meetings with classroom teacher, school counsellors, principal, deputy principal, wellbeing leader, program support group (PSG) meetings