Our School Wellbeing Educator (SWE), supports students and staff by promoting their physical, emotional, social and intellectual wellbeing, honouring cultural backgrounds and spiritual wellbeing. Whilst collaborating with teachers in their role for student wellbeing, our SWE fosters community development and provides a safe and confidential* space for one-to-one support for students. The SWE will contribute to healthy whole school habits, furthering our aim to Empower Lifelong Learners and enhancing learning outcomes.
As we progress through this and the coming years, SWE services will take proactive and responsive approaches, so please keep an eye out in our school newsletter and check this webpage for updates.
In collaboration with teachers and student leaders, the SWE facilitates:
- Go and Run Club two mornings a week before school and open to all ages and all abilities
- Star Fish Lunchtime Club once a week and open to all ages, where students can engage in various traditional games, with current and aspiring student leaders coordinating and running the program
- Staff Restorative Yoga weekly
Based on needs identified, other programs and interventions may include:
- Seasons for Growth a term-long program for students experiencing grief and loss or dealing with change
- Petite Sisterhood enabling students to spread kindness through small, meaningful acts
- Peer-In Club weekly with a focus on stories, role-play and peer relationships
- Harmony Hub weekly and open to parents/carers with English as a new language
Some of Benowa State School's partners and community projects include:
- Coles
- Pindara Hospital
- Rapid Relief Team Australia
- VIRB
- Student Lunch Packs
- Red Cross Pillow Case project
*with limitations in the case of harm/potential harm to student or others
Further information on our programs:
Seasons for Growth
Is an 8-week program for students experiencing grief, loss or change. Our Chaplain is a trained facilitator of the program and takes a group of 6-8 students to help them understand grief and provide some strategies in dealing with their loss. By offering students a safe space to come together and share their experiences, the program focuses on strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of students following significant change or loss in their lives, using the seasons of the year as a guide.
Go-N- Run
The Go N Run Running Club aims to give students an opportunity to run on the school oval before school, allowing them to exercise and expand some energy, all while promoting a community of students who encourage one another as they achieve different stages program. Badges are achieved at each increment which allow students to achieve their personal best. The program runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00am - 8:25 am on the top oval.
Starfish Club
Facilitated by the School Wellbeing Educator and run by Year 6 peer support students, the Starfish Club is designed for students in Years 1 - 2. Though games and activities, the Starfish Club promotes social inclusion, developing of friendships and supports Benowa State School's positive play environment. Starfish Club runs at first break every Wednesday and Thursday in the School hall.
The Petite Sisterhood Program
What difference can one little girl make in a world full of problems? As Mother Theresa said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." The Petite Sisterhood Program is designed to teach girls the concept that, 'just because you are little doesn't mean that you can't make the world a better place'. Over eight sessions, we engage a small group Year 1 girls, to build on their understanding of what it means to be kind and teach them how to do small things with great love – in their school, their family, their community and their world. A mix of crafts, games and experiments explore the concept of kindness, as well as provide practical ways in which the girls can make a difference.