_{Wellbeing and support}

At our school, student wellbeing and learning support go hand in hand. We want every child to feel safe, included and ready to learn.

We are an inclusive school that values diversity. We support all students, including those with disability or additional needs, to take part in every part of school life. This can include adjustments to learning, counselling, behaviour support or extra help in the classroom.

Whether your child needs assistance with their learning or their mental, emotional or social health, we are here to help them thrive at school and in daily life.

_{How we support student wellbeing}

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

We do this through:

• Teachers who help students feel welcome and included

• Access to school counsellors and other specialist staff

• Programs that support physical health, mental health, social skills and positive behaviour

• Help for students who are new or changing year levels

• Clear expectations for behaviour and respectful relationships

• Fostering a sense of belonging to the school and community

• Staff who get to know each child and work closely with families

• Open communication with families about wellbeing and support.

We support your child’s health and safety through a range of strategies including:

• The  behaviour code for students, which outlines the standards of behaviour expected in all NSW public schools
• Anti-racism education
• Anti-bullying programs
• Conflict resolution and mediation training
• Peer support
• Road safety education
• The Healthy School Canteen Strategy.

_{Student health at Dapto Public School}

Promoting health, supporting student health care needs and reducing health risks are important to everyone at our school. Click below to learn more about how we promote and support the health of our students

Healthy eating at school

Healthy food keeps children alert and focused and gives them the nutrition they need each day. Our school canteen provides a healthy, nutritious canteen menu in line with the Fresh Tastes NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy. If your child brings their own lunch to school, you can help by packing food that is interesting and nutritious. See lunch box ideas.

Sun safety

Our school takes sun safety seriously. Children learn about how to protect themselves from the sun's damaging UV rays, and our school implements a range of sun protection strategies.

Our school has a 'No Hat, Play in the Shade' policy.

Prescribed medication

If your child is being prescribed medication that needs to be taken during the day, please inform us so that arrangements can be made for the medication to be administered. We require documentation to be completed prior to this medication being administered at school.

Allergies

If your child has been diagnosed with an allergy or allergies, it is important that you tell the principal as soon as you become aware of it, or if your child's allergy changes. If your child is diagnosed at risk of an anaphylactic reaction an individual health care plan is developed that includes strategies to minimise the risk of a severe allergic reaction.

Managing complex health needs

An individual health care plan is developed for each student with complex health needs. The plan supports students with severe asthma, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, anaphylaxis and those at risk of an emergency or requiring the administration of specific health care procedures.

Infectious diseases

There are many infectious diseases that affect children and young people. Schools and parents should contact their local health network for advice regarding infectious diseases.

Immunisations

Our school's immunisation program works in cooperation with our local health network of the NSW Department of Health who deliver the NSW adolescent school-based vaccination program to high school students.

_{Student safety at Dapto Public School}

We create and maintain a safe school environment by protecting the wellbeing of our students and promoting positive relationships between students. Click below to learn more about how we promote and support the safety of our students

Child protection

Strict safety checks are in place to protect students including criminal record checks of all permanent and casual teachers. We teach our students to recognise when they may be unsafe and how to get help.

Internet safety

Web filtering technology prevents students from accessing inappropriate material on the internet and email system. For information in community languages, see Internet access Information sheet.

Bullying

We work hard to prevent bullying in our school and we recognise that the best outcomes are achieved by school communities, parents, students and teachers working together to help prevent and to respond to bullying.

Our Anti-bullying Plan includes protection, prevention, early intervention and response strategies for student bullying. Any student who experiences bullying, and any person who witnesses bullying, should report it to a teacher or the school principal.

Racism

Anti-racism education is taught in our classrooms and we make every effort to ensure our school is free from discrimination. Our anti-racism contact officer can help any member of the school community who wishes to raise a complaint of racism. Our anti-racism contact officer can help any member of our school community who wishes to raise a complaint of racism. For more information see information in community languages.

Sun safety

We teach students about the damaging effects of the sun and promote sun safety practices.

Road safety

Road safety education is taught to all students from Kindergarten to Year 10 as part of personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE).

Drug education

Drug education and understanding responsibility and relationships is taught as part of PDHPE from Kindergarten to Year 10.

_{^{The Wellbeing Framework for Schools}}

This framework helps schools support the cognitive, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development of students and allows them to connect, succeed and thrive throughout their education.

Click here to learn more

_{^{Positive Behaviour for Learning}}

We use this whole school approach for creating a positive, safe and supportive school climate where students can learn and develop. Our whole school community works together to establish expected behaviours and teach them to all students.

Click here to learn more

_{Support that fit your child's needs}

Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make a plan that suits each child’s needs.

These support plans can include:

• Teachers and support staff working together with families (and students, if needed)
• Regular check-ins to review and update the plan
• Accessible classrooms, assistive technology, or changes to learning activities for students with additional needs.

We know when a student needs help when:

• Teachers notice changes in learning or behaviour
• Reviewing assessment results and learning progress
• Parents and carers raise concerns or ask for support.

If you think your child may need extra help, speak with their teacher or contact our school office.

_{^{Our support team}}

Our learning and support team works with students, teachers and families to provide the right help at the right time.

They may include:

• Learning and support teachers
• School learning support officers
• School counsellors
• Itinerant teachers for vision or hearing
• English as an additional language teachers
• Aboriginal education officers
• Community and home school liaison officers.

Meet our wellbeing and specialist support staff.