Wellbeing at King's
Student wellbeing is central to everything we do. We are deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where students feel seen, heard, known and loved.
Through our dedicated pastoral care structures, wellbeing programs and strong teacher-student relationships, we help students develop emotional literacy, self-worth and a strong sense of identity in Christ. At King’s, every child belongs.
Wellbeing Programs
At King’s, we understand that strong relationships and emotional wellbeing are crucial for effective learning. We have integrated several innovative programs and tools to support our students’ wellbeing and help them thrive, both academically and personally.
At King’s, we recognise the vital role of pastoral care not only for our students but also for their families.
Paul and Rebecca Drury share the responsibility of providing pastoral support to school families, with a particular focus on parents and caregivers.
Paul brings a wealth of experience from 25 years of self-employment in business, while Rebecca has a strong background in pastoral care and community development. As parents of four children who have all attended King’s, and as members of the staff team at King’s Baptist Church, they are deeply connected to both the school and church communities.
Their role as Pastors to King's Families is to walk alongside parents through the challenges and joys of family life, with the aim of strengthening relationships and supporting the wellbeing of families. They also seek to encourage those following Jesus to live out the gospel in everyday life within our community.
When students have the language to express their emotions and our staff are equipped with the tools to support student regulation and relationships, we create a positive and conducive learning atmosphere. Our approach ensures that students can approach their education with confidence and positivity.
At King’s, we are dedicated to providing a holistic support system that nurtures the emotional and social wellbeing of our students. By integrating these innovative programs, we help our students develop the skills they need to succeed both in school and in life.
Our daily 10:15am Pastoral Lesson is a cornerstone of our approach in Middle School and Senior School, where students engage with a dedicated Pastoral teacher. This teacher changes each year, allowing students to build diverse connections and benefit from different mentoring styles throughout their school journey.
We prioritise our students’ mental health through proactive engagement with online wellbeing platforms, such as Pulse and Linewize. These tools allow us to monitor and address mental health concerns effectively, ensuring that our students receive timely and appropriate support.
King’s is proud to partner with Dogs Connect, an accredited program that supports student wellbeing through the presence of a trained wellbeing dog. Our wellbeing dog, Santi, visits the school regularly, bringing comfort and support to classrooms and common spaces. This unique initiative enhances the school’s commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students, at every stage of their learning journey. Santi is available to offer care and support to students who may be facing new challenges, transitioning through difficult times or simply having a tough day.
Our partnership with Lifewell offers students and their families access to Christian counselling services on-site. This collaboration ensures that professional support is readily available, promoting mental and emotional well-being within a faith-based framework.
At King’s, we are centred on fostering a vibrant sense of community and connection, placing Jesus at the core of all our endeavours. The King’s House system, established in 1987, is an integral part of school life, encompassing four school Houses: Baldock (green), Brimblecombe (red), Warren (blue) and White (yellow).
From the moment students and staff join King’s, they are welcomed into one of these Houses, beginning a journey that spans their entire school experience. House spirit is at the heart of many key school events, including the annual House Games, Cross Country and Arts Day, encouraging healthy competition, teamwork and a strong sense of belonging.
In Middle School, students meet as a House on a weekly basis and are guided
by a consistent House Leader who supports them throughout their entire time in the Middle School. This sense of connection continues into Senior School, where Pastoral classes are grouped by House. This structure helps to strengthen relationships, support student wellbeing, and create a consistent, caring environment that nurtures both academic and personal growth throughout each student’s time at King’s.
Students at King's are given numerous opportunities to interact within their year levels, fostering strong bonds with peers of the same age. Additionally, House activities provide a platform for cross-age interactions, enabling students to learn from older peers and mentor younger ones, creating a supportive and interconnected school community.
Our Faith Studies program emphasises discipleship and explores what it means to live as a Christian in today’s world. Through this program, students are encouraged to deepen their faith, develop a strong moral compass, and apply Christian principles in their daily lives.
At King’s, we are committed to nurturing the whole child; academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-supported throughout their educational journey.
Kimochis are playful, interactive tools that help children communicate their feelings in a safe and approachable way. By using Kimochis, students learn to identify and express their emotions, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
We apply educational neuroscience principles under the leadership of Dr Lori Desautels (USA). This equips both students and staff with insights into how the brain affects learning and behavior. By understanding these connections, we can create strategies that improve student engagement, emotional regulation and cognitive function.
The Zones of Regulation program teaches students to recognise and manage their emotions by categorising them into different “zones.” This framework provides students with practical tools to regulate their feelings, behaviors and responses, promoting a balanced and productive learning environment.