Wellbeing

At our school, student wellbeing and learning go hand in hand. We want every student to feel safe, included and ready to learn. Whether your child needs help with their mental, emotional, social or physical wellbeing, we are here to help them thrive at school and in daily life.

How we support student wellbeing

At Concord West Public School, we are deeply committed to the explicit teaching and consistent modelling of positive behaviour. Our focus is on creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where every student is supported to engage fully in their learning and to thrive as a valued member of the school community.

We believe that fostering positive behaviour is essential to student success. Through high expectations, clear guidelines, and intentional teaching, we empower students to become safe, respectful learners. Our approach is grounded in the principles of positive behaviour support, trauma-informed and inclusive practices, and social-emotional learning, all of which are embedded in our everyday teaching and school culture.

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Concord West Public School takes a strong, proactive stance against all forms of bullying, including online (cyber) bullying. We are unwavering in our commitment to maintaining a learning environment where all students feel safe, respected, and valued. Our staff are dedicated to implementing evidence-informed strategies that actively prevent bullying and promote a positive school climate.

We foster a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect, where diversity is celebrated and positive relationships are at the core of school life. Every member of our community—students, staff, and families—plays an essential role in upholding a culture where bullying is not tolerated, whether in-person or online.

Our commitment extends beyond response; we focus on prevention through education, intervention, and ongoing support. When bullying behaviours do occur, school staff act promptly and effectively to support those affected and to guide students towards more respectful ways of interacting.

Together, we are building a school where all children feel empowered to learn, grow, and connect in a safe and supportive environment.

The Anxiety Project (TAP)

Since 2023, our school has proudly participated in an action research initiative called The Anxiety Project (TAP)—a vital part of our commitment to fostering strong social and emotional learning (SEL) across the whole school community. TAP addresses the growing challenge of student anxiety and its impact on learning, wellbeing, and participation in school life.

At the heart of TAP is the belief that all students can develop the self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience they need to thrive. Through this project, we have helped students build their own personal toolkit to manage anxious thoughts and feelings—whether triggered by unhelpful thinking patterns or physiological responses such as fight, flight, or freeze.

A key focus has been empowering students with strategies such as self-talk, mindfulness, and cognitive reframing to build their confidence and willingness to ‘have a go’. These skills are essential components of social and emotional learning and support students to engage more positively with challenges.

As a whole school, we have invested in staff training with expert psychologist Michael Hawton, learning how to use ‘serve and return’ coaching conversations. This consistent, relational approach supports students in recognising and expressing their emotions in healthy and proportionate ways. It also equips teachers and support staff to respond with empathy, guidance, and SEL-aligned strategies.

As a result of this work, we have seen:

A measurable reduction in anxiety levels as reported by both students and teachers
Increased student confidence and emotional resilience
Greater teacher capacity to support students’ social and emotional needs in everyday settings.

We invite families to join us in this important work. The book The Anxiety Coach and the online learning modules available through the ParentShop website are excellent tools for parents who want to support their child’s SEL journey and partner with us in creating a calm, caring, and courageous learning environment.