Wellbeing of students and staff

As part of our focus on wellbeing this year, we have collated a variety of resources to help parents support their child/ren’s well being. This resource bank includes websites with useful information for both parents and students, as well as some activities that you can enjoy together as a whānau (family).

Additionally, we have compiled a list of children’s books covering a range of topics to assist you to explore and discuss these areas with your child. Some of these titles are available from our school library.

If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please reach out to their teacher as a first point of contact. Equally, our SENCo, Robyn Grover is also available to assist families.

We believe these resources are useful and sound and have taken steps to screen the content. However, we are unable to take responsibility for all the messaging contained within these resources. If you have any questions or concerns, we would encourage you to seek help by raising these with either the school or your GP in the first instance.

We hope these resources are helpful to you and your whānau.

Websites to support families with wellbeing:

Children’s books:

Books about ADD:

My Wandering Dreaming Mind – written by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
My Whirling, Twirling Motor – written by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
My Busy, Busy, Brain – written by Nicole Russell

Books about Anxiety:

The Invisible String – written by Patrice Karst (separation anxiety)
Violet Shrink – written by Christine Baldacchino (social anxiety)
The Worry Balloon – written by Monica Mancillas
When My Worries get too Big! – written by Kari Dunn Buron
Hey Warrior – written by Karen Young

Books about Autism:

A Day with No Words – written by Tiffany Hammond
Remarkable Remy – written by Melanie Heyworth

Books about Bipolar:

Virginia Wolf – written by Kyo Maclear

Books about Depression:

Dark Cloud – written by Anna Lazowski
Manny’s Mood Clouds – written by Lourdes Ubidia
The Curiosities – written by Zana Fraillon (Tourettes)

Books about Dysgraphia:

Abdul’s Story – written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Books about Dyslexia:

Aaron Slater, Illustrator – written by Andrea Beaty
Brilliant Bea – written by Shaina Rudolp

Books that look at Emotions:

Aroha’s way: A children’s Guide through Emotions – written by Craig Philips (In Weld Street library)
In My Heart A Book about Feeling – written by Jo Witek
Hey Warrior – written by Karen Young

Books about Language Barriers:

Isabel and Iler Colores go to School – written by Alexandra Alessandri

Books to support Mental Health:

What’s Going on Inside My Head? – written by Molly Potter

Books about Mindful Moments:

Breathe like a bear- written by Kira Willey

Books about OCD:

The Compulsion Cloud – written by Averi Ridge Castaneda & Vicky Kuhn
Malik’s Number Thoughts – written by Natalie Rompella

Books about Resilience:

Beautiful Oops! – written by Barney Saltzberg

Books about Sensory Processing:

My Brain is Magic – written by Prasha Sooful

Supporting Students at School:

Years 1 – 2 (Weld Street) – Friendships

At Weld Street, students in Years 1 – 2 are learning how to be kind friends in the playground and to identify the different emotions they might be feeling when a situation occurs in the playground.

Resolving Issues through Peer Mediation and Leadership: Years 3 – 8 (Rose Street)

In 2023, we introduced the ‘Cool Schools Peer Mediation’ programme to support our students in the playground. The Cool Schools programme was developed by the Peace Foundation.

Peer Mediation empowers young people to handle conflict constructively and resolve playground disagreements through mediation.

Year 7 student leaders are trained in the programme and go out on duty at lunchtimes to help mediate problems using a restorative practice approach. If a resolution can not be reached the mediators will seek teacher assistance.

For more information about the Cool Schools Peer Mediation programme click here.