Wellbeing
At our school, student wellbeing and learning go hand in hand. We want every student to feel safe, included and ready to learn. Whether your child needs help with their mental, emotional, social or physical wellbeing, we are here to help them thrive at school and in daily life.
Our aim
At Dural Public School, supporting each student’s mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing is an important part of everyday school life. We believe that when students feel safe, supported and connected, they’re ready to learn and thrive.
How We Support Wellbeing
We promote a positive and inclusive school environment through:
- Caring teachers who help every student feel welcome and included
- Meeters and Greeters program: students take the lead in welcoming others at the school gate, helping everyone feel part of the school community
- Access to support staff, including school counsellors, learning support staff and specialists
- Wellbeing and behaviour programs, such as the Anxiety Project, which support health, social skills, attendance and positive behaviour
- Transition support for students who are new to the school or moving between year levels
- Clear expectations around behaviour and respectful relationships
- Individual health care planning to support students with medical needs
- Open and ongoing communication with families about student wellbeing and support options
Our approach is proactive, inclusive and collaborative, because we know that wellbeing and learning go hand in hand.
If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s wellbeing, please reach out. We’re here to help.
Visit Our principal and staff to learn about our wellbeing and specialist support staff.
The Anxiety Project
The Anxiety Project
At Dural Public School, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing of every student. In 2024, we introduced The Anxiety Project, a whole-school initiative developed by the NSW Primary Principals’ Association in collaboration with psychologist Michael Hawton. This program is designed specifically for NSW primary schools and aims to address rising levels of anxiety in students by building resilience, emotional strength, and self-management skills.
How the program works
Research shows that anxiety is becoming increasingly common among primary-aged students and can impact learning outcomes, attendance, and overall wellbeing. The Anxiety Project helps our school community identify anxious behaviours early and equip students with the tools they need to manage worry, bounce back from challenges, and feel more confident at school and in life. The program takes a whole-community approach, with professional learning for school staff, leadership teams, and parents. Teachers are supported by implementation coaches, and parents receive training to reinforce strategies at home. Students are assessed at the beginning of the program to understand current levels of anxiety, and then take part in custom-designed lessons aligned to the NSW PDHPE curriculum. These lessons are delivered over a two-year period, with progress monitored through data collected before and after the program.
Why is this important for student wellbeing?
Student wellbeing is essential for learning, engagement, and healthy development. When children experience anxiety, it can interfere with their ability to concentrate, participate in classroom activities, form friendships, and enjoy school. Ongoing anxiety can also lead to school refusal, poor academic performance, and challenges with behaviour and emotional regulation.
The Anxiety Project helps address these challenges early by equipping students with tools to understand and manage their emotions. By teaching students how their brains respond to stress and providing strategies to calm themselves, the program supports students in becoming more resilient, self-aware, and emotionally regulated. This leads to increased confidence, stronger relationships, and a more positive outlook on learning and school life.
When students feel safe, supported, and capable of managing anxiety, they are more likely to engage fully in learning, take on new challenges, and thrive both academically and socially.
Speaking with the school counsellor
School counselling staff are members of the school learning and support team.
A teacher may recommend the service by referring a student to the school’s learning and support team. As a parent or carer, you may refer your child directly to the school counselling service. Students can also self-refer to the service.
The school counselling service can:
- support students who are worrying about school work, friends, getting in trouble at school or feeling down
- help parents and carers make decisions about your child’s education
- assess a student’s learning and behaviour
- help teachers and students identify and address disabilities that may affect learning
- liaise with other agencies regarding student wellbeing.
School counselling is confidential.
For more information about learning and support teams and the school counselling service, please contact our school.
Need support for your child's wellbeing?
Get in touch to talk about the right support for your child.
Additional learning support
Find out how we support students with disability or additional learning needs.
Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.