Junior School Student Wellbeing

MVAC values the importance of every student’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

For us to provide a safe and inclusive educational environment we will continue to support to our students for them to thrive.

We believe in empowering our students and families to be the best they can be, and support everyone within to flourish because of what we do, inspired by the way of Jesus.

School is about more than just literacy and numeracy. The emotional and social aspects of gathering together to learn play a vital role in a child’s development. Compassion and care run deep through the Christian faith, and as an Anglican school we aim to support students in their personal and spiritual development.

At Manning Valley Anglican College, we are blessed with a caring and compassionate staff who work closely together to support the happiness and wellbeing of all students. Children have access to counselling services through the College to work with students and families on a more personal level. Mr Greg Anderson provides pastoral care to our students and their families, working closely with the teaching staff to nurture the wellbeing of our students.

Our Learning Support Team monitors student achievement and will implement intervention programs when necessary. Our support staff work with small groups of students and also provide support in the classroom.

Communicating with your child’s teacher is essential when issues arise academically, socially or personally. Providing teachers with this information allows them to cater for your child’s needs or seek further support to improve their wellbeing.

Grow Your Mind

At Manning Valley Anglican College, student wellbeing is underpinned by Grow Your Mind (GYM) and clearly defined wellbeing practices and behavioural expectations to support our students as collaborative, engaged, resilient and resourceful learners.

Positive engagement, self-regulated learning and the ongoing recognition of student achievement play an essential role in our wellbeing framework, and are reinforced explicitly and incidentally both in class and as a Junior school.

Through this process, interlinked with the Learning Power Approach, our students are encouraged to contribute to their own wellbeing as well as being expected to support the wellbeing of others and the collective wellbeing of the school community.

What is Grow Your Mind? GYM is a Junior School wellbeing program for students, teachers and families. It provides schools with a common language about what it means and feels to be mentally healthy. We believe that the more we embed messages about emotional health in young children, the more chance we have of positive mental health outcomes now and later in life.

GYM introduces our students to topics such as brain awareness, resilience, mindfulness and compassion and, through discussion and activities, it makes these topics relatable for them.

A Junior School, Teacher- Lead, Student – Centered Approach

Why the animals? Why the brain? And why Grow Your Mind?

The animals are a playful and engaging way to teach children about their brain and some of
the core functions. Linking social and emotional wellbeing habits to the brain provides purpose
and sparks a child’s interest in topics that may otherwise cause a yawn or eye roll! E.g.
gratitude, exercise, healthy friendships, and growth mindset are just a few examples.

MVAC Fair Rules

The MVAC Fair Rules

I can follow teacher instructions
I can listen carefully
I can put up my hand and wait
I can complete my work quietly
I can control my actions and words

In Junior School we follow the MVAC Fair Rules to promote positive behaviour in both the classroom and playground. Staff educate students on these rules and we have high expectations that all students follow them.

Transition to High School

The change from Junior to Secondary School can be daunting. As a Kindergarten to Year 12 school, we aim to make this transition as smooth as possible, including student joining us from other schools in Year 7.

Year 7 Taster days are held during Term 3 to provide an introduction to Secondary School life. This transition program introduces students to classrooms and subjects they have likely never experienced before.

They are given the opportunity to meet new teachers and spend a day moving from lesson to lesson.

Most importantly, the transition program gives students and opportunity to meet and greet with students from other schools within the Mid Coast.

For more information about our other wellbeing programs please view our Student wellbeing programs page.

view Student wellbeing programs