Wellbeing
Our school Wellbeing Team consists of a Wellbeing Teacher, Mental Health Educator and School Chaplain.
The Wellbeing Team support students and families with wellbeing and mental health needs and work closely with classroom teachers and school leadership.
A key focus of our team is the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing for the whole school community. School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) school community. School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is the framework we use to explicitly teach students the skills behind our school values: Be Kind, Take Care, Step Up and Bounce Back.
As a Respectful Relationships school we aim to positively influence attitudes and to promote gender equality among young people. Social and Emotional Learning is a key part of our wellbeing program and is delivered weekly by classroom teachers using the Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships learning materials. Our whole school approach to Respectful Relationships aims to create a positive culture in the school where all are respected and valued.
Individual support conversations are available with members of our Wellbeing Team and teachers make referrals to the team for students who need additional support with wellbeing issues. Families can also contact members of the Wellbeing Team via school office if they have any concerns.
The Wellbeing Team also provide referrals to external agencies when required and support families, where appropriate, by liaising with external Case Managers and attending Care Team Meetings.
Jane Griffiths
Wellbeing Leader
Jane is a teacher who specialises in the area of Wellbeing. She works with the school leadership in implementing the preventative programmes of SWPBS and Respectful Relationships. Jane facilitates Breakfast Club, some lunch time activities and supports our student councillors to run the Maffra Market.
Jane also assists students and families with specific wellbeing needs. She sees students one on one for a variety of wellbeing concerns and she supports families who are experiencing challenges. Jane liaises with support agencies such as the Orange Door and attends Care Team Meetings.
Jane also monitors attendance. You are likely to receive a call from her if your child is absent and you haven’t let the school know.
Janelle Hesz
Mental Health Wellbeing Leader
Miss Hesz is part of the MPS Wellbeing Team and helps build the capacity of the whole school regarding mental health and wellbeing. She provides support to staff to identify and support students with mental health needs. Miss Hesz promotes connections between the education and health sectors by facilitating professional networks and relationships.
Gerard Ferron
School Chaplain
Gerard comes to us with over ten years experience in social and youth work and with a Masters in Pastoral Care. He sees students on an individual or group basis as referred by staff or parents. He focuses on developing students social and personal strengths and providing a space where students can develop their own self awareness. Sessions with Gerard are centred around learning to prevent, protect and empower.
Maffra Primary School
Church Street, Maffra Victoria 3860, Australia
Phone: 03 5147 1236
Email: maffra.ps@education.vic.gov.au
