Student Wellbeing
Wellbeing Fosters Community Strength
St Paul’s prioritises community wellbeing through safety, inclusivity, and support.
Student Wellbeing
At St Paul’s we are justifiably proud of our safe, welcoming, inclusive school. We believe the wellbeing of our school community is the building block of our whole school culture.
We see the area of Wellbeing as primarily focused on raising the wellbeing of the whole school community. This prevention practice embraces the safety and connectedness of the whole community. When intervention is required for small groups or individual children to address either social, behavioural or learning issues, we are able to provide them with valuable assistance through our teachers, student wellbeing team or school counsellor.
Social and Emotional Learning
We use The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships learning materials, which have been designed to develop students’ social, emotional and positive relationship skills. Efforts to promote social and emotional skills and positive gender norms in children and young people, has been shown to improve health related outcomes and subjective wellbeing.
The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) learning materials cover eight topics of Social and Emotional Learning:
- Emotional Literacy;
- Personal and Cultural Strengths;
- Positive Coping;
- Problem Solving;
- Stress Management;
- Help Seeking;
- Gender Norms and Stereotypes;
- Positive Gender Relationships.
Berry Street Education Model
The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) is a practical approach to teaching and learning that aims to support students’ self-regulation, relationships and wellbeing to increase student engagement and significantly improve academic achievement.
The Model comprises five domains:
- BODY
- STAMINA
- ENGAGEMENT
- CHARACTER
- RELATIONSHIP
Zones of Regulation
Feeling Zones are used to support self-regulation and emotional control. Students explore ways to safely move between zones and recognise triggers with their emotions.
There are four Feeling Zones: Blue, Green, Yellow and Red.
School Expectations and Values
Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe
At St Paul’s Primary we have five school values: Responsibility, Respect, Courage, Justice and Responsibility.
Wellbeing Programs
Lunch Clubs – St Paul’s Primary offers lunchtime clubs for students to participate in when they have a special interest, having difficulty with building peer relationships in the playground or requiring some quiet organised time during playtimes. We currently offer 5 sessions per week, which may include activities such as colouring/drawing, chess, board games, Lego, gardening, organised sporting activities, looming/beading, and more.
Buddies – To help Prep students with transition into school life, we have a buddy system. Each Prep student is partnered with a Year 6 student to support each Prep child.
Student Representative Council (SRC) – Each class has two representatives to gather and share student voice and opinions on matters around our school. They meet fortnightly for SRC meetings, and alternate fortnights for class meetings.
Mini Monbulkers – Our senior leaders have the opportunity to be part of our social justice group ‘Mini Monbulkers’. They organise and run events to raise money for our local community. These events can include Colour Run, Crazy Sock Day, Sausage Sizzle, Angel Tree and many more.
Restorative Practices
Restorative practice is a whole school teaching and learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It puts the onus on individuals to be truly accountable for their behaviour and to repair any harm caused to others as a result of their actions.
A restorative approach focuses on building, maintaining and restoring positive relationships, particularly when incidents that involve interpersonal conflict or wrongdoing occur.
Understanding Restorative Practice Restorative Practice is a teaching and learning approach that promotes self regulation and encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It puts the onus on individuals to be truly accountable for their behaviour and to repair any harm caused to others as a result of their actions.
When schools are restorative they:
- value quality relationships
- model empathy and respectful relationships
- value student voice and utilise collaborative problem solving
- view inappropriate behaviours as opportunities for learning
- apply procedural fairness
- recognise the importance of repairing damaged relationships
- separate the ‘deed’ from the ‘doer’
- use active listening and positive language and tone
- avoid scolding, judging, lecturing or blaming
- foster self-awareness in the student
- implement consequences that are proportional and fair
- remain future focused
They direct questions toward problem solving what needs to happen to ‘make things right’:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Counselling
St Paul’s Primary offers a trained onsite student counsellor to support students and family. The service aims to assist our school community through one to one or group sessions. The support may include art therapy, small group student workshops, parenting workshops, mediation, phone calls with families, mindfulness, problem solving and much more.
The Service aims to:
- Provide students, their families and staff with support and or appropriate referrals in difficult situations, such as during times of grief or when students are facing personal or emotional challenges
- Support students and staff to create an environment which promotes the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development and wellbeing of all students
- Support students and staff to create an environment of cooperation and mutual respect, while promoting an understanding of diversity
Our service is available to every family within the school and offers sessions for students, parents, staff and other members of the school community as required. The program is offered to the school community with the understanding that participation is always voluntary.
Specifically, our trained counsellor:
- assists families facing personal and emotional challenges such as ‘Grief and Loss’ through death, divorce and separation, or loss of a pet
- mediates between children experiencing friendship issues, helping build self-esteem
- provides strategies for dealing with anger management and anxiety issues
- provides resources and support to parents dealing with ‘parenting issues’
- builds relationships with both children and their families, whether simply connecting through a phone call, or just being there to listen
- organises and provides meals and a support network to families, in times of personal crisis
- provides details of outside agencies to parents seeking specialised services
- presents staff with initiatives to promote Social Emotional Learning
- trains staff and parents in the principles of Restorative Practices
- builds networks with Shire groups e.g. SFYS (Student Focused Youth Services)
It’s not the curriculum that we offer that sets us apart...
....it’s the manner in which it’s delivered. Our teachers actively and passionately explore the possibilities of making their teaching practice more innovative, engaging and fun at every turn. This is the single ingredient that drives the most growth in our students.
Curriculum that Inspires
Leadership & Admin
Nick Frederiksen
Principal
It is a privilege to be Principal at this amazing school. There is a true sense of shared responsibility at St Paul’s where we work in partnership with families in order to help each child reach their full potential. Our staff truly put students and families first in everything we do.
Jo McIntosh
Administration Leader and Year 1/2 Teacher
Working at St Paul’s means being part of a close-knit community of students, parents and staff. When I started teaching Art and PE in 2019 I enjoyed the strong relationships initially developed with students and now cherish the continued connections formed with the students in my class – it’s wonderful to see their knowledge and confidence grow with real-world tasks and hands-on learning activities. Outside of school I love watching my three sons play their myriad of sports and I volunteer with many local sporting clubs and committees.
Maria Cook
Religious Education Leader, Literacy Leader, Year 1/2 Teacher
What I love the most about teaching at St Paul’s is that the students have a passion and eagerness for learning and discovering. It is so rewarding seeing them develop socially and academically throughout the year.
When I’m not at work what I enjoy doing is gardening, shopping, going on long walks with my dogs and going to the footy to watch the mighty Tigers play.
Kelly Geoghegan
Learning and Teaching Leader; Leading Teacher - Numeracy; Prep Teacher
I leave St Paul’s each day with a smile and a feeling of happiness as it is a lovely place to work.
Sarah Kleverkamp
Student Wellbeing Leader; Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
I thoroughly enjoy working with the wonderful families at St Paul’s Primary. In my role I’m lucky to experience relationships through all levels of the school and watch those with diverse needs grow and flourish over time. We have an amazing Wellbeing team that I can rely on to support me in my role and the students within our school. It is so important for everyone to feel valued and connected to school, and I believe that we are fortunate to be able to really ‘know’ every child (and family).
Helen Hermann
Office Manager
I joined the St Paul’s team in 2006 and really enjoy the diversity of my role. My day includes anything from welcoming families and visitors, putting band aids on grazed knees or supporting our wonderful staff and students in a variety of ways. I look after many of the finance and admin tasks required to maintain the smooth running of our school on a daily basis. St Paul’s is a fabulous community to be a part of!
Teachers
Jacqui Kerr
Prep Teacher
I have a strong belief that the journey is just as important as the outcome. In the junior levels, each child’s seed, that is planted in Prep, is able to grow tiny shoots, blooming into new learning. Every day the students make you feel special and like you are a rock star! What other job makes you feel like that?
I enjoy special times with my family and friends, camping, running, cycling, baking and colouring in.
Caitlin Van Strijp
Year 1/2 Teacher
Coming Soon
Julie Dietrich
Year 1/2 Teacher
I joined St Paul’s in 2013 and during these years I have had many opportunities. I have been a classroom teacher and also supported children in maths and literacy. I love being a part of the staff, learning with others and building relationships. I also enjoy getting to know the families of the children I teach. I feel lucky to meet so many lovely people from little brothers and sisters to grandparents. We learn in such a beautiful environment and every day I look out and see the trees and mountains of the Dandenong Ranges. Outside of school I enjoy walking my dogs and taking trips away in my camper with my family.
Roxanne Levett
Year 3/4 Teacher
Coming Soon
Carolynne
Year 4/5 Teacher
Since starting at St Paul’s in 2001, I have felt I have been a part of a warm, welcoming community. It has always amazed me just how supportive and accepting the students at St Paul’s are of each other. I consider building relationships with the students and parents vital in my role as an educator and believe the social and emotional wellbeing of students is an area of focus that helps develop the whole person – mentally, academically and spiritually.
Daniel Salan
Year 5/6 Teacher
I absolutely love being a part of the St Paul’s Community and having the opportunity to play a small part in each student’s learning journey. I believe creating an environment that allows each student to be happy and enjoy coming to school each and every day is the most important thing, especially in the Senior grades. I centre my approach around aiming to make each task as engaging as possible for my students.
Emma Dinkgreve
Classroom Teacher
I’m delighted to be part of the St Paul’s community and teaching team. My passion lies in nurturing creativity, curiosity, and wonder in every student and fostering a love of lifelong learning. Witnessing students’ holistic growth and their many magical ‘Ah-Ha!’ moments along their learning journey is a highlight, as are the relationships built with students, and their families. Beyond school, I treasure sharing coffee with family and friends and outdoor adventures that connect me to the beauty of our world.
Emma-lee Curwood
Visual Arts Specialist
When I teach Art, I love seeing all of the students creativity and passion coming through their masterpieces. Through a range of mediums, students get hands-on making and creating, expressing their own ideas. I also enjoy Thursdays and Fridays when I am teaching PE.
Louisa Pontin-Raj
Physical Education Specialist
Coming Soon
Teresa Fraraccio
Music/Performing Arts Specialist Teacher
Learning music has been proven to have a huge influence on brain development in the areas of language, maths, problem solving, and social and emotional growth. Singing, movement to music and playing instruments with others also helps create a sense of belonging. It is also a LOT of fun!
St Paul’s is a great school! Our students are known and their uniqueness valued. I have the great privilege of helping them feel empowered to be creative and express themselves through music whether they are using their voice, keyboards, xylophones or drums and hopefully it awakens an appreciation for music that goes with them beyond primary school.
When I am not playing music, you will probably find me in the veggie garden playing with my grandchildren.
Isabella Lepore
Languages - Italian Teacher
I have been very privileged to be part of such an extraordinary and compassionate community of teachers, families, and students at St Paul’s. Hopefully, my love of teaching has inspired our students at St Paul’s a passion for learning any subject and enabling them to make a difference.
Learning Support
Paula
School Counsellor; Youth Worker
I am very lucky in my role to be able to build such strong relationships with our students’ school through counselling and students’ social justice groups. I feel privileged to be able to make a difference and value the opportunity to be there for students/parents, even just to be a listening ear. This may sound simple, but feeling heard and being validated can be very powerful and is important to a child’s mental health and mindset. As a Monbulk local I am also involved in MADCOW (Monbulk & District Community Opportunities Workingroup) Youth Services and being the Trainer for the Under 18s at Monbulk Footy Club).
Greg McCourt
Learning Support Officer; Casual Relief Teacher
After previously teaching English in Japan and working as a CRT in Melbourne, I am very excited to be working at St Paul’s. My main role is in Learning Support, and I also teach in classrooms on a casual basis.
Jacqui Darwall
Learning Support Officer
Coming Soon
Zoe Crabtree
Learning Support Officer
Coming Soon
Max Westwood
Learning Support Officer
Coming Soon
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