At St Anthony’s, we know that student wellbeing is the foundation for learning and thriving. Recent research from the Royal Children’s Hospital (2023) shows that for Australian children aged 8–13, one in six (16%) experience symptoms of anxiety and one in four (23%) show signs of depression. We are deeply committed to supporting students and families when challenges arise, while also focusing on building the positive skills and supports that help children flourish.
Wellbeing is part of everyday life here. We celebrate the “little good moments” (LGMs) that make each day special, alongside weekly awards that recognise student achievements. Every child is cared for by their homeroom teacher, with extra support available through our wellbeing team – which includes a Wellbeing Leader, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, Social Worker, Learning Diversity Leader, Deputy Principal and Principal. We are fortunate to have an onsite social worker (four days a week) and a school counsellor (one day a week) to provide additional care when needed.
Guided by the MACS Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement, we work to make sure every child feels safe, connected and supported in their learning. While regular attendance at school is a key piece of the puzzle, engagement for us also means more than just being at school each day, it’s about students feeling that they belong, they can build positive relationships, listen and learn with persistence, and have tiered systems of support they need to achieve their best.
We offer a range of wellbeing programs to meet different needs, including social skills groups, Seasons for Growth, transition support for students moving to secondary school, “Growing Minds and Bodies” for Years 5 and 6, and participation in the Social Stencil research project in Year 4, which takes a trauma-informed approach to social and emotional learning. We also nurture belonging through whole-school celebrations and our much-loved Year 6 and Prep Buddy Program.
Our staff are trained in trauma-informed practice and use the Classroom Mastery framework to ensure calm, consistent and supportive classrooms where every child can learn.
At the heart of all we do is the belief that wellbeing and learning go hand-in-hand. By building confidence, resilience and strong community partnerships with families, we aim to help every student grow and succeed.