Story Dogs

DPS has a Story Dogs program that is a fun and unique reading support program that improves children’s reading and communication skills by children reading to an accredited companion dog and its handler. The Story Dog program is primarily designed for students who have reading challenges, however students may be chosen by the Classroom Teacher to participate in the program as a reward or as an alternative reading activity. 

PosiSchools

During May 2023 DPS has participated in PosiSchools. 

PosiSchools is an initiative designed to improve the mental health of children through educating participating students on the power of a positive mindset.

We believe that children need to be taught the power and importance of a positive mindset more than anyone. Their opportunity to establish positive thinking habits is critical for not just a child’s present, but also their future.  

PosiSchools is a 21 day program consisting of engaging content and classroom activities, featuring learnings and inspiring stories from some of Australia’s most renowned athletes. 

Be You Framework

Dingley Primary School places value and emphasis on the mental health of everyone within the learning community. We have created a culture where there is collective responsibility to ensure everyone can achieve their best possible mental health.

We work together to build, promote and maintain a positive, inclusive and resilient learning community for all. Be You is a national mental health initiative which aims to increase the mental health in all early learning services and schools across Australia.

Be You has partnered with Early Childhood Australia and Headspace to create the most current, evidence based practices, for educators to support the young people in the community. For more information click on the link to view the Statement of Commitment.

Mindfulness & Growth Mindset

A recent focus has been on enhancing students engagement through regular practise of mindfulness through mindful colouring, meditation, manipulating different materials and resources that vary from level to level.

Our Wellbeing Program involves students, parents, school staff and support agencies in developing Individual Education Plans that target specific academic, behavioural and social needs for students. Parents are kept informed of student progress and work in collaboration with the school to ensure student learning is maximised.

Students have opportunities to practise their social and emotional learning in safe classroom environments, where we have created a culture of celebrating efforts and encouraging students to demonstrate their Growth Mindset.

Kimochis

The philosophy behind Kimochis is that the toys act as a third party through which children can explore and build understanding of common emotions experienced by them and by those around them.

'Kimochi' is the Japanese word for feeling. The Kimochi characters have been crafted to represent common personality traits that children might exhibit or see in one another, and come with their own backstories that flesh out who they are and why they behave in particular ways.

By reflecting feelings, Kimochis enable children to identify their own feelings, and acquire the Kimochis core skills for interaction and connection. At the same time they also build an appropriate 'feelings vocabulary', one feeling at a time, in a fun tactile interactive way' (LuluCo International, 2014).

Better Buddies

Dingley Primary has developed a close relationship with the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation and has  worked hard to implement a range of strategies linked to the Better Buddies Program.

The aims of the program are to:

• reinforce that violence isn't the solution to disputes.
• listen to and work with children in a positive, supportive environment.
• develop children's feelings of compassion & empathy with others.
• stimulate children's imagination and assist them in expressing their ideas and thoughts.
• assist children in supporting their peers.
• develop children's social skills to enable them to get along with others.- encourage children to relate to and empathise with characters outside their immediate environment.
• encourage children to be aware of the existence of vulnerable children who have suffered through violent crime and sudden loss of family.

Zones of Regulation

The Zones is a systematic, cognitive behaviour approach used to teach self-regulation by categorizing all thedifferent ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete zones.

The Four Zones: Our Feelings & States Determine Our Zone

The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may beelated or experiencing anger, rage, explosive behaviour, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone.

The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions; however, one hassome control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety,excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.

The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content,or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. This is the zone where optimal learning occurs.

The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness and down feelings, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick,or bored.