At Epping Primary School we strive to provide a positive, safe and secure learning environment which promotes mutual respect, trust and relationship building, to enable students to reach their full potential. We are committed to prioritising student wellbeing and we actively work to provide support and learning for our students, staff and school community.

The implementation of programs and processes that promote positive relationships across all year levels and educate students about health and wellbeing, are key elements of this. For further brief explanations about these programs, procedures, projects and processes please continue reading!

Berry Street Educational Model (BSEM) provides strategies that enables educators to increase engagement of students and to successfully improve students’ self-regulation, relationships, wellbeing, growth and academic achievement.

The domains within the BSEM are Body, Stamina, Engagement and Character, all anchored by Relationship.  These five areas are pedagogical lenses: each domain reflects the durable understandings and evidence-based practice that inform daily classroom learning.  Although there is no single recipe for classroom success, Epping Primary School will utilise the BSEM to unify our language, modelling and relationships to meet the needs of all students.

Over the coming years (some even now), you will see many aspects of the BSEM visible in each and every classroom at Epping Primary School.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Supporting students to identify their character strengths
• Providing brain breaks and positive primers as student-centred regulatory activities to ready the brain for learning
• Promoting mindfulness to establish calm in the classroom
• Working with students to develop Ready to Learn Scales that require them to identify self-regulation tools to help create a sense of ownership and responsibility
• Developing a Growth Mindset
• Engaging in Daily Morning Circles to create a routine rich opportunity for students to check-in with their teacher and peers in regards to their social and emotional wellbeing.

We can’t wait for our next 3 sessions which all staff will be completing after school this year and look forward to sharing our journey of implementing the BSEM with YOU, a valued member of our school community.

Speech Therapy Assistant Program (STA)

We have had a very positive start to The Speech Therapy Assistant Program launched in our school this term.  Last term was spent training our assistants and screening students to see if they would be suitable and benefit from the program.  This term we have commenced sessions held with our fabulous Education Support Speech Therapy Assistants – Tina Berkley and Janice Woodrow under the guidance and expertise of our Speech Therapist, Mia.

Based on assessments, Mia prepares an Individual Therapy Plan, Tina and  Janice then deliver the lessons to the students. Students receive three 30-40 minute therapy sessions per week, which generally results in rapid progress towards speech-language goals. The STA program supports Speech Pathologists, who often have very large therapy caseloads and long waitlists, to deliver an effective school-based therapy service.

At the end of each term, the Speech Pathologist reviews the student’s progress and prepares a report. The report is provided to teachers and parents/carers. Currently, we have 17 students ranging from grades 1 to 3 in the program. This will fluctuate as we add students to the program and remove students as they achieve their goals. You would have been notified if your child was selected to participate in this current intake of students.

Other intervention and supports offered at Epping Primary School:

• Tutoring with Anna Grimma (Grades 3 and 4)
• Little Learners Love Literacy Intervention with Kerri Kelly (Grade 1)
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program with Naomi Woollacott (Prep to 6)
• School Counsellor – Diana Makarian
• Psychologist onsite 1 day a week
• Targeted teaching and learning addressing individual needs – all students
• External Allied Health welcome onsite for sessions (please arrange with myself prior to commencing to ensure room availability)