Wellbeing

Like all NSW public schools we provide safe learning and teaching environments to encourage our students as they connect, thrive and succeed.

The Department of Education is committed to creating quality learning opportunities for children and young people. These opportunities support wellbeing through positive and respectful relationships and foster a sense of belonging to the school, community and beyond.

The Wellbeing Framework for Schools helps schools support the cognitive, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development of students allowing them to connect, succeed and thrive throughout their education.

Our Wellbeing Program varies from year to year and is responsive to the needs of our current student co-hort. Our Wellbeing Team is led by our Assistant Principal (Wellbeing) and includes our School Principal, School Psychologist, Student Support Officer and our Neurodiversity Education Officer. The team meets weekly to discuss student progress and we liaise closely with external agencies such as Headspace, Streetwork and CYMHS as well as working closely with individual student allied health professionals. Whilst we have our Wellbeing Team, it is a fundamental principle of The Beach School that each staff member has a responsibility for each student's wellbeing.

Our wellbeing initiatives are designed to address the unique needs of our students, focusing on resilience, emotional regulation, respectful relationships and a sense of community. Programs may include activities promoting mindfulness, social skills and physical health as well as access to resources for mental health and academic support. We also engage with external groups who visit the school including GPs in Schools, the Butterfly Foundation and Ask for Health.

By fostering a supportive environment we empower every student to reach their full potential and contribute positively to their school and community. A significant benefit of our small student numbers is that we can really focus on each student's mental health and wellbeing.

The School Psychologist

Our School Psychologist visits the school four days per fortnight. In addition to providing personal counselling sessions for the students, the School Psychologist liaises with students’ allied health providers such as CYMHS and students’ private psychologists, psychiatrists and paediatricians. Our School Psychologist operates within the limits of professional confidentiality but also adopts a team approach when working with students and their families. The School Psychologist also liaises with the student's home school and is involved with safety planning and creating referrals to external agencies and supports as required.

Student Support Officer

Our Student Support Officer (SSO) is deeply immersed within our school community to enhance student wellbeing and learning outcomes in partnership with the wellbeing team and the school counselling service. The SSO provides individual and targeted wellbeing support implementing school wellbeing initiatives and programs. The SSO has a pivotal role in working collaboratively with external agencies and creating referral pathways for students and families to child and family support agencies. Our SSO has a rich interest in art and craft and uses her skills in this area to further enhance student wellbeing.

Neurodivergent Education Officer

The role of the Neurodiversity Education Officer (NEO) is unique to The Beach School and commenced in 2025 as response to the increasing number of neurodivergent students enrolled. The NEO works closely with all students with a particular focus on our neurodivergent students as she works to enhance their learning, social and wellbeing capacities. The NEO works with staff providing lesson and curriculum guidance whilst also supporting student learning. The NEO also works closely with parents and carers and is a valuable link to allied health and external agencies.