This month, Swan Valley Anglican Community School shares the key initiatives that are central to their wellbeing program.
Open Parachute: Practical Mental Health Skills
At the heart of the Wellbeing Program lies Open Parachute, a clinically validated, research-based initiative focussing on social and emotional development. Through weekly sessions, students develop important practical mental health skills that enable them to identify their struggles and use these skills to overcome challenges.
Open Parachute is about dismantling stigmas and promoting an open dialogue about mental health in classrooms. Using authentic documentaries of young Australians who recount their journey of overcoming their struggles helps students feel more comfortable discussing their feelings and challenges.
You Can Do It! For Early Years
The highly interactive You Can Do It! social-emotional program helps Early Years students, who enjoy learning and singing along with the puppets: Connie Confidence, Gabby Get Along, Oscar Organisation, Pete Persistence, and Ricky Resilience.
Stymie: Promoting Safety and Accountability
Stymie is an anonymous online reporting service that allows students to report bullying, cyberbullying, and other concerning behaviours.
The anonymity provided by Stymie encourages more students to come forward with their concerns. Most Stymie notifications occur between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm, as students travel home after a day at school.
Custom Buddy Program: Connection and Belonging
Now in its fourth year, the school Buddy Program continues to promote connection and belonging. During Semester One this year, Buddies met on several occasions to connect, including Harmony Day. The Buddy Program pairs older students with younger ones, providing mentorship and companionship.
