This year, we have been exploring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Research confirms and teachers, parents, and principals agree: Social and emotional competencies can be taught, modeled, and practiced and lead to positive student outcomes that are important for success in school and in life. We have concluded that our next step is to take time out of our current timetable to explicitly teach a Social Emotional Learning curriculum with our students. As a result, we have written our own program to be implemented in 2021, and we are very excited to finally share more information about it

What is SEL?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

How does SEL benefit students and the wider community?

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

Research-backed benefits of SEL:

• Improvement in students’ social and emotional skills, attitudes, relationships, academic performance, and perceptions of classroom and school climate
• Decline in students’ anxiety, behaviour problems, and substance use
• Long-term improvements in students’ skills, attitudes, prosocial behaviour, and academic performance

SEL for Parents

An informational video by CASEL and Chicago Public Schools for parents on social and emotional learning (SEL). The video aims to inform parents on SEL in schools and provide them with insights on SEL in their own parenting practices in order to support their children's social and emotional know-how.

The CASEL 5

The CASEL 5 are the five interrelated areas of competence for SEL:

• Self-awareness
• Self-management
• Social awareness
• Relationship skills
• Responsible decision-making

Many school districts, states, and countries have used the CASEL 5 to establish preschool to high school learning standards and competencies that articulate what students should know and be able to do for academic success, school and civic engagement, health and wellness, and fulfilling careers. 

As a result of this exciting new pastoral program, there will be slight changes to the times of our current school day. Our new school day on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will run as follows:

On Wednesdays there will not be a SEL class. Therefore, the school day will begin at 9:00am and finish at 3:00pm

We thank you in advance for your support of the SEL program and the school time changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on (08) 6206 5000

Louise Hall and Adam Inder, Deputy Principals.