Kyneton Primary School community nurtures a caring, safe and happy environment which promotes self-discipline and responsibility, mutual respect and tolerance, self-esteem and genuine pride.

Student Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing Team

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team at Kyneton Primary School comprises Assistant Principal Julie Arnephy, Jacqueline Dickie in the role of Disability Inclusion Leader (3 days a week) Michelle Thompson, Mental Health and Wellbeing Teacher (3 days a week), a National Student Wellbeing Program staff member 2 days a week, five Education Support staff and Honey our Dogs Connect Wellbeing dog (5 days a week).

Disability Inclusion Leader – Jacqueline Dickie

Jacqueline Dickie who is the Disability Inclusion Leader works closely with Julie Arnephy, teachers, and families to identify student areas of need to support teachers to implement adjustments that are required to enable students’ participation in school.

Jacqui is working with teachers to develop and review Individual Education Plans for students who have a diagnosed or imputed disability. Jacqui will also be providing support for groups of students who require additional support in targeted areas. Jacqui’s role is to ensure that students with a disability and additional needs are engaged in education and meeting their learning goals.

Please contact Jacqui or Julie if you have any questions about this process. If you have a specific concern about your child or feel that they may need additional support, please speak with your child’s teacher in the first instance and they may refer you to one of the key contacts above.

The Department of Education has created a four-minute animated video providing an overview of Disability Inclusion. The video has been translated into a range of community languages.

https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion-extra-support-children-disability

The Disability Inclusion Profile and surrounding process is designed to help schools and families identify the strengths, needs, and educational adjustments schools can make for students with disability in Victorian Schools. The Disability Inclusion process is the Department of Education's (DET)’s strength-based model which will potentially enable more students to access targeted support.

Julie Arnephy and Jacqui Dickie will navigate the process of constructing Disability Inclusion Profiles in collaboration with families.  The profile is completed through a structured meeting with the students’ Student Support Group led by a trained facilitator.

Additionally, Julie and Jacqui liaise with occupational therapists, speech pathologists and other allied health specialists and practitioners, Student Support Services (DET), and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) which includes Child Protection, to ensure that support to access school is in place for our most vulnerable students.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Teacher - Michelle Thompson

Michelle Thompson supports students in Mental Health and Wellbeing three days a week and her role involves supporting students who are experiencing difficulties across a wide range of areas including social, emotional, and behavioural. Michelle provides mental health and wellbeing support for students who are experiencing levels of distress or need related to family issues, attendance, emotional regulation, behaviour, and anxiety. Michelle also provides support to teachers who refer students for additional support, liaising with families, and external services such as Child Protection, Cobaw Health, Orange Door, and Student Support Services through the Department of Education.

Wellbeing Officer- To be filled for the 2024 year

Our school accesses annual National Student Wellbeing Program funding to employ a Wellbeing Officer to support our students who may be experiencing social/emotional challenges.

Our Wellbeing Officer aims to foster happy, healthy minds by providing support to students and their families and teachers. The Wellbeing Officer may work individually with students or place small groups of students with similar needs together.

Some examples of support that the Wellbeing Officer and Michelle may provide in their roles are as follows:

• Building and maintaining friendships

• Building resilience

• Managing anxiety

• Identifying and utilising calming strategies

• Understanding identity

• Building Self-esteem

• Coping with change

• Understanding body Image

• Managing anger or dysregulation

• Increasing/promoting engagement

• Promoting school attendance

Wellbeing referral procedure:

If you feel that your child needs additional wellbeing support, please initially discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher. Teachers may consult with the Wellbeing Officer or Michelle to plan support for your child if or when required. Support may take the form of only one or two sessions or a longer period of support if the need for this is identified. If your child will be working individually with our Wellbeing Officer a consent form should be signed.

Please note, in some circumstances, you may be advised to seek a referral to a specialist through a general practitioner for counselling or therapeutic support from an external clinician or medical practitioner as this program does not provide or take the place of formal therapy or counselling.

Support Staff

The school has access to a School Psychologist, Speech Pathologist and the Regional Visiting Teacher program. They attend the school at specific times each fortnight. Students are referred to these staff upon receipt of parental permission.