Wellbeing

Schools take strong action in response to behaviours that are detrimental to self or to others, or to the achievement of high-quality teaching and learning.

Our vision at Inner Sydney High School is to work with our communities within our Inspired Learning Framework to develop students who are inspired to grow. This means that we strive to strengthen their cognitive, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development as informed by the DoE’s Wellbeing Framework. Essential to this is that every child at Inner Sydney High School is known, valued and cared for in all elements of their daily school life.

We are committed to the promotion of a culture of wellness and our Wellbeing program seeks to establish the conditions for growth to enable our students to flourish in all aspects of their lives as citizens of a challenging and changing world. We aim to develop students who are critical and creative thinkers, resilient, aware of their strengths, independent, have a strong sense of purpose and meaning and who seek to contribute to the world.

This has at its foundation the principles of Positive Education, which has evolved from the discipline of positive psychology. This is ‘the scientific study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people’ (Gable Haidt,2005).

The adoption of the principles of Positive Education provides opportunities for all members of the school community to develop a shared language and understanding. This impacts our day-to-day practice and is taught and reinforced through explicit instruction, through events and celebrations and the day-to-day functioning of the school.

This utilises the PERMAH model as described below:

• Positive emotions - Feeling positive emotions such as joy, interest and hope
• Engagement - Being fully absorbed in activities that use your skills, but still challenge you
• Relationships - Having skills to build positive relationships
• Meaning - Belonging to and serving something bigger than yourself
• Accomplishment - Pursuing success, winning achievement and mastery
• Health - Having skills to maintain mental and physical health.

How we support student wellbeing

Supporting each student’s mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing is part of everyday school life.

We do this through:

• teachers who help students feel welcome and included
• access to school counsellors, school psychologists and specialist staff
• programs that support health, social skills, attendance and positive behaviour
• help for students who are new or changing year levels
• clear expectations for behaviour and respectful relationships
• staff who get to know each child and work closely with families
• developing health care plans for students
• open communication about wellbeing and support.

Visit Our principal and staff to learn about our wellbeing and specialist support staff.

Behaviour Support and Management Plan

All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.

Aboriginal student support

We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.

We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, as well as community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.

The  Aboriginal Education Policy  confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Multicultural education

Our school welcomes students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity and aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive environment that benefits all students.

Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our school fosters student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.

The  Multicultural Education Policy  outlines the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.

The  Anti-Racism Policy  confirms the department’s commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.

For more information refer to:

• Multicultural education
• Anti-racism education
• Interpreting and translations
• Translated documents.

Supporting English language learners

Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. We can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).

For more information refer to: EAL/D education.

Supporting refugee students

Schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. Targeted support strategies are provided to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.

For more information refer to: Supporting refugee students.

Learning support

The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.

The team:

• supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
• facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
• coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
• designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
• develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers, as well as other professionals and the wider school community.

For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs visit Disability, learning and support.

Anti-bullying

Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.

The  NSW anti-bullying  website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It helps to identify, prevent and respond effectively to student bullying, including online bullying. It provides information about online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.

For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools refer to the department’s Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Policy.

For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools refer to:

• Anti-Racism Policy
• Anti-racism education
• Racism. No way.

Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning.

Anti Bullying Action Plan

Anti Bullying Flowchart

Student leadership

Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.

Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.

For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit Student voice and leadership.