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.
Through our homeroom and house system, the students experience an integrated peer support program where they feel connected to a house group and supported by their peers, homeroom teacher and house coordinator.
Our wellbeing program, through events and guest speakers, provides education and support for students in the areas of mental health and wellbeing, drugs and alcohol, relationships, personal strengths and resilience.
At Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer, the practice of restorative justice underpins our student management processes, creating an ethos of respect, inclusion, accountability and responsibility.
It seeks to build positive relationships in the school community, while at the same time encouraging individual self-efficacy, resilience and personal accountability for behaviour.
In accordance with Mercy values and the college’s behavioural management policy, all students have an obligation to honour and uphold the rights of other students at all times and treat them and their property with care and respect. Bullying of any nature is not tolerated at the college.
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.
School Contact Information
NSW School Police Liaison 9542 0708
School Counsellor (via the College office 9544 1966)
Support services:
- Kids Helpline
- Student Wellbeing Hub – Department of Education
- Anti Bullying – Department of Education
- Be You
- Parent Line NSW
- Family and Community Services Helpline: 133 627
- NSW Health: (02) 9391 9000