Hello to all our families at Mary MacKillop,

I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself—my name is Caitlin McLeod, and I am the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, working two days a week in this role alongside teaching Grade 5 for the remaining three days.

My role focuses on building the whole school’s understanding of mental health and wellbeing, including identification, promotion, and prevention. I also support staff in recognising and assisting students with mental health needs, help establish clear referral pathways for students requiring further assessment and intervention, and monitor student progress.

Children’s mental health is essential for their development and learning. Good mental health allows them to cope with challenges, maintain a sense of wellbeing, and reach their full potential. However, not all children experience good mental health, and schools play a vital role in supporting them.

As part of my role, I am fortunate to be training in the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) program. This training will enhance my knowledge and skills, ultimately strengthening our school’s ability to support the mental health and wellbeing of all students.

I look forward to working with you and supporting our students on their learning and wellbeing journey.  Please feel free to introduce yourself or say hello if you see me walking around the school, I look forward to working with you all. 

Caitlin McLeod

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader | Grade 5 Teacher

The Resilience Project 

Mary MacKillop is excited to share with you about our Social/Emotional Program we run called The Resilience Project. We are in our second year running this program and have had some wonderful feedback from staff, students and families. This is our school-wide wellbeing initiative, promoting positive mental health throughout the classroom, staffroom, and wider community. With substantial evidence supporting the importance of school-home connections for enhancing educational and wellbeing outcomes, the program is both engaging and practical. It is backed by proven, evidence-based evaluations and is used in over 1,000 schools across Australia, with a dedicated partnership manager that works with staff to ensure its successful delivery.

Our teaching staff also engage in regular professional development to stay informed and up to date with new material. The program centers on the key principles of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness, and Emotional Literacy, with each lesson incorporating engaging Student Journal activities and Teacher Resource Sheets.

For those of you new to Mary MacKillop, you will have access to the Wellbeing Hub throughout the year. We know that the best outcomes for supporting your child’s mental health happen when we collaborate and practice together. The Hub provides valuable research, the benefits of the resources, and includes short, practical videos and quick activities called 'Family Activity - Delve Deeper,' which you’re encouraged to try at home.

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/wellbeing-hub/

We are a Happy Families School!

Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources. We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.

Unique URL - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/mmnwn

Password - happymmnwn

We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.  Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters and grandfather to 1 granddaughter. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families Podcast. He has written 9 books about  families and parenting. For further details visit happyfamilies.com.au. 

Here is his next INSIGHT ARTICLE - Help! My Child Has Been Replaced by a Human Shrug! See attachment BELOW:

Join Happy Families for this year’s Answers with Justin webinars. The Term 1 session is 'Emotional Regulation: A Heart-Centred Approach to Supporting Your Child'. Event link and further information - scroll through the webpage: https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/answers-with-dr-justin-emotional-regulation-schools-registe

Your insight article for this week: Now You See Them, Now You Don’t (attached below)

School TV 

https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news

SPECIAL REPORT: Social Media & Comparison Culture

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-comparison-culture-au

Parents, carers, grandparents, educators and school leaders are invited to attend an exclusive webinar supporting primary and secondary students.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part 1)
DATE:       Wednesday, 19 March 2025
TIME:       7:00 pm

This presentation is Part 1 of a two-part series.  Join School TV for an exclusive session with two of Australia's leading experts in youth wellbeing and cybersafety, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and Susan McLean. Gain invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Topics in this session will include:

• New Regulations on Social Media
• Cyberbullying
• Exposure to Hate Speech
• Online Safety and Fraud

To register, participants to scan the QR code found on the promotional material below.

School TV looks forward to having you join them for this insightful and engaging session.