Teaching and Learning > Primary School > Personal Development Program
We believe the emotional health and well-being of students, staff and families is an important priority. Through a holistic approach, we aim to develop the social and emotional competencies of individuals in addition to enhancing the various relationships of students.
St Margaret’s School values aim to promote, foster and impart core values to all students. These values are as much about building character as they are about equipping students with specific skills.
Values Education* helps students to:
- Understand and be able to apply values
- Articulate the values of the school and consistently apply them in their life.
* The Values Education Program is based on the National Framework for Values Education in Australia and St Margaret’s values.
Behaviour Management
We endeavour to create an environment in which every student has a sense of belonging and feels safe and important. We acknowledge that positive behaviours are a shared responsibility of the student, the home and the School. Also fundamental to this idea is the notion that students can and will accept responsibility for and learn to manage their own behaviour across all contexts
Buddy Program
The Buddy Program aims to facilitate meaningful connections between students within the School. The main aim is to build social skills, resilience and a pro-social culture.
The goals of the Buddy Program are:
- To assist new students in their transition into a new school environment
- To foster links between students of different year levels
- To foster links across the Primary and Secondary Schools
- To build relationships with other Anglican Schools.
Service
Students have an opportunity to be involved in service through the Leadership Program and the Social Responsibility Program. Through this, students will investigate, reflect upon and demonstrate values in relationships to community life.
Students will:
- Encounter other people, ideas and circumstances in ways that broaden their perspective
- Build empathetic understanding and caring connections to the world around them
- Have the opportunity to experience themselves as generous and contributing members of their community
- Formulate ideas about themselves as part of a larger world and develop ideals and beliefs that are important to living a fulfilled life.
Leadership
Leadership skills are fostered at an early age. Our Year 3 students are considered leaders in the Early Childhood area. From Year 4, students are eligible for membership of the Student Representative Council. The formal Leadership Program begins in Year 5 when students are issued with an ‘I Can’ Leadership report card. Students from Year 5 are eligible for membership in our Oaktree Foundation which is part of the School’s Social Responsibility Program. Year 6 is the preparation year for Leadership. The aim of this year is to develop personal leadership, communication and teamwork. All Year 7 students who wish to be appointed as a leader make a written application for their chosen position. Leadership opportunities include; House, Sporting, Cultural and Service positions
Curriculum
Through the Pastoral Care Program students will explore the topics:
- Getting to know you / building relationships
- Bullying
- Resilience
The needs of each year level’s social development will be explored through particular programs relevant to the students. These programs are evidence based and in many cases recognised internationally as leaders in the field.
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Term 1 |
Term 3 |
Terms 2 and 4 |
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Pre-Prep Pals |
The Peer Support Program contributes to the development of a pro-social school environment. Year 7 girls run this program in vertical groupings i.e. House groups to promote a safe, happy and cohesive school environment for all children. |
Bullying and Resilience |