Social and Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) underpins everything we do at Hillsmeade Primary School. It assists our students to acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to understand and manage emotions, achieve positive goals, build healthy relationships, make responsible decisions, and contribute to their communities. SEL is critical for students in primary school because it helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in their everyday lives. SEL is a fundamental part of the Victorian Curriculum and an essential part of the Education State Targets to promote happy, healthy and resilient students.
Some of the benefits of SEL for students include:
- SEL skills help students focus, stay motivated, and manage stress, all of which are important for overall learning.
- SEL can help to reduce disciplinary problems in schools. This is because students who have strong SEL skills are better able to manage their emotions, resolve conflict peacefully, and make responsible decisions.
- It also can help students to build positive relationships with their peers, teachers, and family members. This is because SEL skills help students to communicate effectively, empathise with others, and resolve conflict peacefully.
Hillsmeade has a clear purpose and vision to ensure social and emotional learning continues to thrive and grow. Our commitment to SEL includes:
- Explicit teaching of SEL as part of the weekly learning across all year levels following the Victorian Curriculum and Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships.
- Implementation of the Zones of Regulation, supporting all learners with the skills, strategies, and language to manage and regulate their emotions.
- Daily class home group, circle time and restorative practices to support positive relationships, sense of belonging and connectedness.
- Partnering with external agencies and professionals to support and assist our students, staff, and families.
SEL is an important part of a well-rounded education. By teaching SEL skills, schools can help students to succeed in all areas of their lives. Students at Hillsmeade Primary School participate in one Social and Emotional structured lesson per week.