Positive Psychology is the platform that underpins the wellbeing programs and student management systems at Emanuel School.
Positive Psychology is the platform that underpins the wellbeing programs and student management systems at Emanuel School. Our immediate aim is to provide each student with the tools to flourish and be happy at school. Our longer-term goal is to develop in our graduates the skills to have a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Below are the Primary School and High School Wellbeing Frameworks
Primary School
Emanuel Primary School is committed to nurturing students' wellbeing through a range of engaging programs. Our goal is to empower students to make responsible, proactive choices and build positive relationships. Classroom teachers engage deeply with students and families to ensure wellbeing needs are met. We also liaise with external organisations and experts to ensure high quality experiences and programs for our students. ‘The Leader in Me,’ based on Stephen Covey’s ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ is an underlying philosophy and program used to instil essential life skills such as personal organisation and effectiveness, interpersonal skills and self-care.
Independence of Self-Mastery – teaching the students to take control of, and for, themselves
Habit 1: Be Proactive – Take initiative and then take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind – Consider your goals and values and strive towards choices that align with these.
Habit 3: Put First Things First – Prioritise, plan and work towards your goals in a logical, productive manner.
Interdependence – teaching the children to interact productively and positively with others
Habit 4: Think Win-Win – Genuinely work hard to solve problems in a way that values and respects all people involved.
Habit 5: See First to Understand, then to be Understood – Use empathetic listening to create an atmosphere of caring and positive problem solving.
Habit 6: Synergize – Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork to achieve goals.
Self Renewal – Rejuvenation and Relaxation
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw – Take time to rejuvenate, relax and consider things with renewed energy.
Presenters
Emanuel Primary School welcomes a range of external organisations to support our wellbeing learning. These include Life Education, Keep Them Safe and Interrelate.
The Year 6 leadership program, our Student Representative Council (SRC) and our Make a Difference (MAD) projects also contribute significantly to the opportunities to enhance student wellbeing. Year 6 students participate in a camp experience exploring the qualities of leaders, roots of effectiveness and their values. They examine Jewish leaders as role models. Representatives from each year group are selected for the SRC. The MAD projects aim to ‘give back’ to the local, Australian and global communities by allowing students to investigate and take actions to make a difference to others.
Relationships
Students in Years 3-6 experience the URSTRONG Friendology language, program and ongoing resources to develop their understanding of healthy, respectful relationships. Students learn that trust and respect are two of the important qualities in a friendship, alongside the importance of understanding our differences, and how to honour each person’s unique perspective. Children learn that friendships change because people change, which is a normal part of a relationship. With this shared understanding, language and approach, students develop the confidence to solve their problems and make decisions that support happy, healthy relationships rooted in a culture of respect and kindness.
High School
The core aspects of the High School Wellbeing Framework include:
Belonging
Community
Acceptance
Self
The Wellbeing Programs complement the academic support needed by students. Aspects of these programs include:
- Academic Mentoring for Year 12
- Study Skills programs
- Mindfulness training
- Counselling and Coaching provisions
- Tutor Group programs
- Academic orientation for Year 7
Tutor Groups
Each student is placed in a House-based Tutor Group. The group usually stays together and with their Tutor (a teacher) from Year 7 to Year 12.
House Tutors and Executive staff members have created engaging Tutor Programs to assist students to learn about proactivity and decision-making, relationship building, resilience, study skills, positivity, anti-bullying practices and understanding oneself. The aim is for these proactive or preventative measures to assist students to make positive and responsible choices in their lives.
Expert Presenters
Expert external presenters are invited to the School each year to address students on specific topics. Examples such topics are:
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Safe partying
- Staying Safe
- Cybersafety
- Body image and empowering young women
- Growing good young men
- Motivation
- Consent and Respect
Academic Mentors
In Year 12, each student is assigned an academic mentor, who works with them individually during the HSC year as a guide ‘on the side’ to help them achieve their very best. The mentor program includes an analysis of each student’s signature strengths and how best to use those strengths, as well as assistance with planning and stress management. Coaching is available to staff and students.
School Counsellors
Emanuel School employs three counsellors who provide support to all students (Pre-school to Year 12), parents and teachers.
Our counsellors’ major task is to support the social, emotional, behavioural and intellectual development of all students. The counsellors work with students on a one-to-one basis when required, although some interaction may occur in a group. Emanuel’s counsellors have extensive experience in helping young people.
A life coach works with those who want to go from where they are to where they want to be. This process builds resilience by addressing challenges and developing confidence.
Canteen
The School Canteen offers a home-style wholefood menu providing freshly prepared meals and snacks. They are passionate about providing nutritious and tasty Kosher vegetarian food. The menu is seasonal and the best quality ingredients are sourced, helping the students build lifelong positive eating habits.
Health Centre
The Health Centre is open for students who become ill or injured at school or who need to take medication. The nurses who oversee the Health Centre also manage the government vaccination program and lice checks.