At Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Terrigal, student wellbeing is central to school life. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, known, valued and connected.
Our teachers work in partnership with families to support each child’s social, emotional, spiritual and academic growth. Through strong relationships, positive behaviour support, leadership opportunities and a caring Catholic community, OLSS helps students build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.
Our school’s core values of Respect, Mission, Belonging, Learning and Faith are embedded into the curriculum and all aspects of our school community. These values guide the way students learn, play, build friendships and contribute to school life.
A Safe and Supportive School Environment
At OLSS, every child is cared for as an individual. Our teachers know their students by name and work to create classrooms where children feel supported, encouraged and ready to learn.
We provide a safe and welcoming school environment where students are guided by clear expectations, consistent routines and positive relationships. Student wellbeing is not treated as a separate program. It is part of everyday learning, playground life, classroom practice and our Catholic school culture.
Our core value of Respect helps shape this environment by encouraging students to care for themselves, treat others with kindness and take pride in our school community.
Positive Relationships and Friendships
Building respectful relationships is an important part of school life at OLSS. Students are supported to develop social skills, form positive friendships and learn how to work, play and communicate with others in kind and respectful ways.
Through classroom learning, playground support and whole school initiatives, students are encouraged to show empathy, include others and contribute positively to the life of the school.
These experiences help children feel a strong sense of belonging and connection within the OLSS community.
Social and Emotional Learning
At Our Lady Star of the Sea, positive mental health is paramount. Students are explicitly supported to develop five core social and emotional competencies:
Self-awareness
Helping students understand their emotions, strengths, challenges and sense of self.
Social awareness
Encouraging students to show empathy, respect and care for others.
Self-management
Supporting students to manage emotions, behaviour, routines and personal responsibility.
Relationship skills
Helping students build positive friendships, communicate respectfully and work well with others.
Responsible decision-making
Guiding students to make thoughtful, safe and respectful choices.
These social and emotional skills are embedded into everyday learning and school life. They help students build resilience, confidence, empathy and the ability to form positive relationships.
Anti-Bullying and Student Safety
OLSS is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive school environment for all students.
We have clear expectations for behaviour and support students to understand the importance of kindness, respect and responsibility. When concerns arise, staff work with students and families to respond in a fair, practical and supportive way.
Our approach focuses on student safety, respectful relationships, early support and helping children develop the skills they need to resolve conflict and make positive choices.
Buddy and Peer Support
Buddy and peer support programs help students build confidence, friendships and connection across the school.
For younger students, especially those beginning Kindergarten, having an older buddy can help them feel more settled, supported and included. These relationships provide reassurance as children become familiar with school routines, playground spaces and the wider OLSS community.
For older students, buddy and peer support opportunities help develop responsibility, kindness, leadership and service.
Student Leadership
At OLSS, students are encouraged to grow as confident, responsible and compassionate leaders.
Leadership opportunities allow students to contribute to school life, support others and develop a stronger sense of responsibility and service. Students may take on formal leadership roles or demonstrate leadership through everyday actions, such as helping peers, showing initiative, participating in school events and living out our school values.
These experiences help students build confidence, independence and pride in their contribution to the OLSS community.
Working in Partnership with Families
We believe student wellbeing is strongest when schools and families work together.
At OLSS, families are valued as important partners in their child’s learning and development. When a child needs additional support, our staff work closely with parents and carers to understand their needs, share information and provide appropriate care.
This partnership helps ensure students feel supported at school and at home.
KidsMatter and Whole School Wellbeing
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a KidsMatter school, where student wellbeing is embedded across all areas of school life.
KidsMatter is an Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative for primary schools and early childhood education and care services. It provides a whole school framework for supporting children’s mental health, wellbeing and social and emotional development.
Through this approach, OLSS supports student wellbeing by creating a positive school community built on respectful relationships, belonging and inclusion. Students are supported to develop social and emotional skills, build confidence and resilience, and form positive relationships with peers, teachers and families.
The KidsMatter framework also supports the school’s commitment to working in partnership with families and recognising when children may need additional support.
Mental health and wellbeing are vital for learning and life. Children who feel safe, connected and supported are better able to learn, build friendships, manage challenges and participate fully in school life.
By supporting wellbeing from the early years of primary school, OLSS helps students build strong foundations for learning, relationships and future growth.
How Does OLSS Support Student Wellbeing?
OLSS supports student wellbeing through strong teacher student relationships, positive behaviour support, anti bullying practices, social and emotional learning, buddy and peer support, student leadership opportunities, whole school wellbeing practices and close partnerships with families.
Our goal is to help every child feel safe, known, valued and connected.
