We commit to providing safe and supportive environments which nurture the wellbeing of all students and staff in our community, and hold firmly to the belief that they have a right to be safe, respected and valued in an inclusive environment. We know that when students are happy, they are more engaged with their learning.

Schools benefit from wellbeing initiatives and pastoral care support through Sydney Catholic Schools – in areas such as anti-bullying, positive behaviour, student counselling, refugee support and child protection – which range from universal support for all students, to targeted interventions for students with complex social and emotional needs.

St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School Botany has adopted the Schoolwide Positive Behaviours for Learning (SPBL) initiative. Through this, clear expectations are communicated to the whole community, students are explicitly taught how to meet these expectations and they are are rewarded for consistently demonstrating positive behaviours. Clear consequences are in place for students who choose not to meet school expectations. This positive approach aims to help students learn from their mistakes and developing  self-discipline, responsibility and resilience, providing security and supporting their wellbeing.

St Bernard's Catholic Primary School Botany

Our School Expectations
At St Bernard’s we are learners who are:

  • Respectful
  • Responsible
  • Resilient and
  • Safe

Positive behaviours are rewarded consistently, especially at weekly assemblies. Our student leadership program includes a peer support program and buddies program, both of which provide support for all students.

School Counsellor
Our CatholicCare appointed school counsellor provides one-to-one counselling sessions to students in need. She also runs small group sessions and supports whole school wellbeing programs like the peer support program. All referrals for school counselling are processed through the principal. Parent workshops for issues like managing anxiety or cyber-safety are provided.

Anti-bullying policy

St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School Botany rejects all forms of bullying behaviours, including online (or cyber) bullying, by maintaining a commitment to providing safe, inclusive and respectful learning communities that promote student wellbeing for learning. Staff at Sydney Catholic Schools are committed to employing wellbeing strategies that allow for a healthy school environment where bullying is less likely to occur.

If your child is experiencing bullying of any kind, or you have a wellbeing concern, we have a number of support services available for parents/carers and students, as listed below.

Support services: