Student Welfare

General Characteristics

Students who attend B.P.S come from outlying regional areas and from within the township. Additional SSO time is given for students within each classroom to support Literacy Programs and to assist with students’ learning needs.

Student Well-Being Programs

We have engaged with Berry Street to learn and implement their approach to classroom management, behaviour management and learner support. The underlying tenet of this program that we have adopted is Unconditional Positive Regard for each and every learner. Through this program we have developed consistent predictable routines to provide a stable and known environment for learners. We have a morning circle each day in class, and have regular brain breaks. Every day finishes with a What Went Well (WWW) today. Each learner develops a Ready to Learn Plan that provides a reflection point for learning. We have an interoception space for students to regulate. Our Pastoral Care Worker uses the Kimochi program to further develop student understanding of feelings and belonging. She also provides individual time to listen to learners and provide another outlet for them to talk with trusted adults. From Year 3 to 6 our learners engage in the SHINE program through health lessons to provide a deeper understanding about themselves, their relationship and their sense of being. Four days a week we have Sam on site. Sam is an 8 year old Border Collie who provides students with another tool to regulate through pats or going for a walk around the yard.

Student Support Offered

Teachers & SSOs work together to enable differentiated learning programs for students. Due to the size of the school, all staff accept responsibility for providing pastoral care to students and as students are in small classes there are many opportunities to nurture relationships with others of different ages during whole-school activities and lesson swaps. Our SSO’s provide classroom support to teachers and students’s as well a one on one support where needed and running targeted intervention programs.

Student Management

Recently both the Behaviour Development Policy and Anti-Bullying Policy have been updated, with students assisting with the review in behaviour processes and school expectations. The principal works with families and support services to ensure proactive processes are in place to support students. A restorative relationship process is used at all times. There have been no suspensions over the past 3 years.

Student Government

School Captains and Sports Captains are a part of the student leadership, with students applying through an application process, with an interview and a whole school assembly speech. Captains provide a conduit between students and the principal. They have advocated for a number of items around the school recently with success. These have included a skylight in the sports shed, a mud kitchen initially, and the a beautifying process to ensure the space fitted with its surrounds. The Captains have also led fundraising days and casual clothes days. The provide a report to Governing Council twice a term on their activities.

Special Programmes

Sporting Schools Grants subsidise specialist Physical Education activities that students may not be able to access due to distance and availability.
Ag Science is a feature with all students involved with a whole school program with a specialist teacher connected to community.
Students participate in Book Week Activities & Premier’s Reading Challenge &Book Fair.
Science Programmes & Tree planting are accessed through community events in the Mid North.