Wellbeing

At Dorset Primary School, student wellbeing and fostering a strong, connected community are central to our mission. We believe that nurturing the whole child is essential to creating a positive future for our students and, in turn, for our wider community.

Our vision is to empower every student to flourish, both within and beyond the classroom. We know that this happens when wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic achievement — not as a separate initiative, but as an integrated part of everyday school life.

Research shows that wellbeing and learning are deeply interconnected. Wellbeing enhances student learning outcomes, and success in learning further strengthens a student’s sense of wellbeing At Dorset, this isn’t just understanding of theory — it underpins everything we do. It is reflected in our daily practices, our strategies, our programs, and our policies. Together, as a school community, we are committed to creating an environment where every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Principal's Message

Wellbeing Science

At Dorset Primary School, our wellbeing approach is grounded in contemporary research and evidence-informed practice. We understand that wellbeing is not an add-on, but a foundational element of thriving learners and thriving communities. Our focus is on equipping students with the emotional, social, and cognitive tools they need to flourish — not only during their time at school but throughout their lives.

We take a proactive and developmental approach to wellbeing, informed by the science of what helps individuals and communities thrive. Our framework draws on a model of flourishing (Seligman, 2011) that identifies five key pathways contributing to a life of meaning, resilience, and satisfaction. These include:

· Positive Emotions: Encouraging optimism, gratitude, and joy.

· Engagement: Fostering focus, curiosity, and a love of learning.

· Relationships: Building strong, supportive connections with others.

· Meaning: Helping students find purpose and value in their actions.

· Accomplishment: Celebrating effort, progress, and achievement.

These elements are embedded across our curriculum, classroom practices, and whole-school initiatives. From how we greet students to how we design learning experiences, everything we do is intentionally aligned with fostering the conditions that support wellbeing and academic growth, hand in hand.

Wellbeing, Engagement and Inclusion

Friendology: Empowering Students with Friendship Skills

In addition to Positive Education, we are proud to implement Friendology, an evidence-based social-emotional learning program that empowers students to build healthy friendships, manage conflicts, and navigate social dynamics with confidence. Friendology uses child-friendly language to support our whole-school approach with consistent, easy-to-understand strategies.

The program is built on four friendship facts:

Students learn that all friendships experience "friendship fires" (conflicts) and are explicitly taught how to resolve these issues to restore positive relationships. Through classroom lessons and consistent school-wide language, students develop the skills to move through these challenges, helping them return to the "green zone" of balanced, respectful friendships.

By empowering students to navigate the ups and downs of friendships, we foster resilient, socially skilled, and confident communicators who are equipped to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Restorative Practices at Dorset Primary School

We believe in fostering a respectful school environment where every student feels valued and supported. To achieve this, we use Restorative Practices as a key approach to building and maintaining strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and promoting accountability and empathy among our students.

Restorative Practices are a proactive and inclusive way of addressing behaviour and conflict by focusing on relationships, responsibility, and repair. Rather than simply imposing consequences, restorative practices encourage students to reflect on their actions, understand the impact on others, and take steps to make things right.

This approach helps students develop essential life skills such as:

Empathy: Understanding how their actions affect others.
Responsibility: Taking ownership of their choices and behaviours.
Conflict Resolution: Learning how to resolve disagreements constructively.
Communication: Expressing themselves clearly and listening to others.

Research shows that restorative practices improve relationships and build a stronger sense of community. It also reduces conflict, promotes a positive school climate and encourages personal growth and emotional resilience in students.

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