Friendly Schools Plus is an integral part of the wellbeing program, which focuses on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and social decision-making. During these sessions, the girls have the opportunity to develop and practise social and emotional skills and understanding, reflecting upon key concepts as a class. Girls are encouraged to make connections to their own lives and think about how they can improve the lives of others in their school community.
To complement the Friendly Schools Plus program, Year 3 enjoy a weekly class picnic to celebrate and practise their social and emotional skills, demonstrating kindness and respect. The Class Representatives put this initiative forward and it has become a very popular Year 3 event.
Each student is a member of a Pod group, a small number of students from Years 3–6 who meet regularly throughout the year. Each Pod is led by the Year 6 students, and facilitated by a teacher who serves as a special point of contact for students throughout their time in Fiona. During Pods sessions, the girls engage in a broad range of collaborative activates devised to foster our positive School culture and celebrate Ascham’s nine core values. Pods sessions are interspersed throughout the year and predominately occur on a Wednesday when Friendly Schools Plus lessons are not scheduled.
Collaboratively, the girls have defined what it means to have a Growth Mindset and apply these ideas to set meaningful and achievable goals each term. The concept of the Learning Pit is introduced into each class. This model serves as a visual reminder that with courage and resilience students can persevere and work through a problem, empowering each girl to manage her own learning journey.
In order to become responsible, accountable and critical users of technology the girls are learning about digital footprints, relationships and conduct as part of the P–12 Digital Citizenship program.
Year 4 engage in regular Friendly Schools Plus sessions, focusing on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and social decision-making.
The Friendly Schools Plus sessions are closely linked to other activities within the classroom that seek to build the students’ knowledge about looking after themselves in order to be their ‘best possible self’. Students are guided through their Looking After Me booklet that covers positive goal setting and positive emotions. The students continue to reflect in their Gratitude Journals and build their understanding about their core values. The concept of signature strengths, as introduced at The Tops Year 4 Camp during Term 1, are explored regularly throughout the year. Mindfulness practice and meditations constitute an important part of our classroom practices.
During Pods, our vertical peer support sessions, the girls focus on the nine School values. In Year 4 the girls regularly explore the School values, identifying what they look like and how they are enacted.
In order to become responsible, accountable and critical users of technology the girls are learning about digital footprints, relationships and conduct as part of the P-12 Digital Citizenship program.
During the first half of the year, the focus of the wellbeing initiatives are the skills needed to navigate friendships and social relations. In order to facilitate the new students’ integration into Fiona and friendship formations, all girls participate in the Butterfly Effect workshop run by Enlighten Education. The workshops help the girls develop positive strategies for building their friendships and dealing with friendship difficulties. The session help the girls to develop in their self-confidence and learn strategies for relaxation.
In Term 1, the girls participate in the Year 5 Camp, a highlight of the year and an important part of the Year 5 wellbeing program. At camp, the girls participate in a range of activities designed to facilitate the development of friendships, teamwork, and resilience, providing personal and group challenges.
During Pods, our vertical peer support sessions, the girls focus on the nine School values. In Year 5 the girls regularly explore the School values, identifying what they look like and how they are enacted.
Throughout the year the girls work through the Friend Schools Plus Program. During these lessons, the girls develop and practise important social and emotional understanding and skills which are grouped into five key areas.
In order to become responsible, accountable and critical users of technology the girls are learning about digital footprints, relationships and conduct as part of the P-12 Digital Citizenship program.
As part of the Friendly Schools Plus Program, Year 6 students take part in lessons and workshops to help the girls to develop and practise important social and emotional understanding and skills.
Year 6 lead Pods, vertical peer support sessions, with a focus on the school values.
In addition to this Year 6 will continue to learn about their responsibilities and rights in an online world. The students will consider collective responsibility: the values and behaviours of a good digital citizen, and the idea that online environments are communities that users are helping to shape for the future.