Wellbeing
Creating a Safe, Inclusive and Caring School Community
Student Wellbeing
Wellbeing is at the forefront of all we do at GPS. Staff, students and families work together to ensure everyone feels safe, supported and included at our school.
At Gladesville, we provide a safe, nurturing, and vibrant learning community that accommodates the uniqueness of each and every student. We provide a learning environment and curriculum that challenges students to be their best, and that develops the knowledge, skills and spirit to be successful global citizens.
Consistent values, routines and expectations underpin teaching and learning and guide our interactions and relationships. The GPS community has a consistent and positive approach to behaviour and we work hard to ensure a school climate where independence, resilience, personal responsibility and self-discipline are grown.
In addition to our teaching and support staff, we have a highly knowledgeable Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, two dedicated wellbeing officers and exceptional student leaders, working together to ensure our school is safe, supportive and fun.
Peer Mentoring
This program allows our Year 4/5/6 students to become true leaders within the school as positive role models for younger students. Participation is voluntary, giving students a chance to exercise their student voice and agency.
Peer mentors develop interpersonal skills and negotiation strategies and receive training to learn about body language, active listening, clarifying, respecting different viewpoints, empathy, asking open-ended questions, and brainstorming ideas. They also learn how to assist in finding solutions to low-level conflicts.
Lighthouse Groups
An integral part of our wellbeing program is Lighthouse Groups. These are multi-age (F-6) groups guided by a Year 6 leader, a teacher and a support staff member. Groups meet each fortnight to participate in a wellbeing session, often in response to current school wellbeing needs.
Each group collaborates
on activities that foster self-awareness, mutual respect, and the development of positive relationships.
The purpose of Lighthouse Groups is for students to develop relationships with others in the school across all year levels, get to know adults apart from their class teacher and participate in sessions that expand their understandings of different values and personal skills.
RRRR
Reslience Rights and Respectful Relationships is a program designed to help schools promote and model respect and equality within their communities. It also equips educators with the tools to teach students how to build healthy relationships, develop resilience, and grow in confidence. Learning to form positive and respectful relationships is a vital part of a student's social and emotional development. The quality of relationships students have with their friends, family, and peers can impact their physical health, strengthen their self-esteem, and foster a strong sense of belonging
.
The RRRR program provides learning materials that focus on eight key areas of Social and Emotional Learning, delivered across all primary year levels. These topics include important skills such as goal setting, time management, emotional literacy.
Buddies
At GPS, Year 6 students are matched with a Foundation student as part of our buddies program. Each week during the year, the buddies get together for various activities.
This relationship is often the first one new Foundation students form, and the buddies program becomes an important transition into school. Furthermore, it fosters a sense of leadership and responsibility in our Year 6s.
Breakfast Club and Community Pantry
School Breakfast Club runs 5 days a week at Gladesville PS and is open to all families. The program offers all students the chance to enjoy a nutritious breakfast as well as the social benefits of sitting down and enjoying a meal with other members of the community. It is also a great opportunity for families to get to know each other too.
Gladesville PS is very fortunate to have a well-stocked community pantry that is available to our whole community.