Wellbeing@School Review 2016

As part of my management unit this year, I have established a Wellbeing Action Team and am over-seeing a review into wellbeing using the MOE Wellbeing@School tool.

See: ww.wellbeingatschool.org.nz

Establishing The Team

Schools are made up of various teams and groups. It is critical that each group is represented on our Wellbeing Action Team, so that all groups' needs are considered. Together, we can develop shared strategies to address our common needs, and work to help those strategies happen. Our team includes Year 7-8 student reps, and support staff, parent, leadership and level representatives.

Gathering Survey Data

The Wellbeing@School tools place a large focus on positive peer relationships. Aspects like bullying, sense of inclusion, and respect are covered. Key findings from Year 5-8 students and staff surveys shows that we need to address the following issues. The strategies so far discussed are detailed.

Key areas identified	Strategies (under discussion)
Respect *Significant numbers of staff and students felt that students don't always treat others with respect. * Staff noted that some students frequently hit, push, hurt others or make fun of them	* Check Circle Time is happening in all Hubs weekly/fortnightly (Leadership) * Each class to clarify respect with students during Circle Time * Year 5-8 teachers are using a weekly Behaviour Reflection with students. Teachers follow-up by discussing any incidents reported with those involved. Successes (e.g. behaviour improvements) are also celebrated. * Possibly explore the concept of respect (what it looks like, sounds like, feels like) in Whare time (mixed aged groups).
Bystanding * A significant number of staff and students felt that students don't stand up for each other when someone is mean or is hassling them * A number of students also felt that if they have a problem with another student, they couldn't ask other students for help.	* Year 5-8 classes to cover bystanding explicitly in Circle Time. * Resources to assist: Bullying Prevention Response Guide http://www.education.govt.nz/school/student-support/student-wellbeing/bullying-prevention-and-response/ Kia Kaha http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/personal-and-community-advice/school-portal/resources/successful-relationships/kia-kaha
Inclusion *Students and staff felt some children are left out of activities or ignored on purpose.	* Lunch time sport run twice a week by Year 7-8 students, to give those who are excluded a way to join * Teacher observation and follow-up with individual students *Class Circle Time to build relationships *Possible lunch time interest groups, where specific students will be invited to foster inclusion. These will be student-led related to their passions e.g. Dance, Singing, Chess
Behaviour & Rules Many felt that many don’t know the school rules about behaviour	To be discussed further. The Action team generally felt that the wording of the question swayed this. In our next survey period, we could possibly rephrase the question to: ‘Do you understand school expectations?’.