Hello BHPS Community!
This year, BHPS is excited to be part of the Mental Health in Primary Schools Initiative, a program developed by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne University, and the Victorian Department of Education. The goal of this program is to help teachers and school communities better support the mental health and well-being of students.
I’m thrilled to share that I have been selected as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader at BHPS! For those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been a teacher here for 14 years, though I’ve been on maternity leave for the past 3 years. I have two energetic boys, Fletcher and Remy, who certainly keep me and my husband busy at home!
In my new role, I focus on improving the mental health and well-being of our students by supporting both our staff and families. I work closely with teachers to implement the Berry Street Educational Model (BSEM), which is our whole-school approach to mental health and positive behaviour management. I also help connect families and staff to support services, both within the school and through external agencies. My aim is to identify and address mental health concerns early, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students and the entire BHPS community.
Throughout the year, I’ll be sharing helpful information, strategies, and resources in the newsletter to keep you informed and supported. My goal is to make sure everyone in our school community has the tools they need to promote positive mental health and well-being. If you ever have any questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sarah Weichert
sarah.weichert@education.vic.gov.au