As a community, St Columba’s actively works to support the well-being of our children and value positive relationships within our school community. A significant part of this framework for us is supporting and promoting PB4L – Positive behaviour for learning.
Everyone makes mistakes! These might be mistakes with learning or mistakes with behaviour. When we make a mistake it is important we learn from it. The best learning occurs when the message is consistent and just.
As a staff, we have worked together to establish expected behaviours at school and the consequences for the undesirable behaviours – with the focus always being the teaching of the desired behaviour. For major behaviour breaches we run a restorative justice session.
We praise students and community members who consistently demonstrate our school values – compassion, respect, hospitality, courage, justice and service and always model our interactions with each other on these core values.
At the start of each year parents receive a copy of the behaviour expectations at St. Columba’s.
Working alongside our Positive Behaviour for Learning is the ‘Grow You Mind’ Emotional Regulation Program that we began in 2025.
Grow Your Mind at St Columba’s Adamstown
What is Grow Your Mind?
At St Columba’s Adamstown, we implement the Grow Your Mind program as part of our commitment to nurturing the whole child. Grow Your Mind is an evidence‑based social and emotional wellbeing program designed for primary school students, educators and families.
Grounded in research from positive psychology, social and emotional learning, public health and neuroscience, the program helps students understand how their brain works, recognise their emotions and develop lifelong skills to support positive mental health.
Through engaging and age‑appropriate lessons, Grow Your Mind creates a shared language of wellbeing across our school community, supporting students to grow as confident, reflective and compassionate learners.
Living Our Mercy Values
As a Mercy charism school, our use of Grow Your Mind strengthens and complements our core values of:
- Respect
Students learn to understand themselves and others, recognising emotions and responding with empathy and care. - Compassion
The program nurtures kindness, gratitude and the ability to support others, reflecting the Gospel call to love and serve. - Hospitality
By building strong relationships and a sense of belonging, students are encouraged to welcome and include others in our community.
Grow Your Mind helps make these values visible in everyday interactions-in the classroom, playground and wider school life.
How does it support our students?
Building resilience and emotional awareness
Students develop strategies to manage challenges, regulate emotions and build a positive mindset.
Strengthening relationships
The program explicitly teaches empathy, respectful relationships and communication skills, supporting a safe and caring school environment.
Developing confidence and independence
Children gain a deeper understanding of themselves, empowering them to make positive choices and take responsibility for their wellbeing.
Supporting mental health and wellbeing
By learning about mental health from an early age, students build lifelong habits that support wellbeing and reduce stigma.
Enhancing learning and engagement
When students feel safe, connected and supported, they are better able to focus, participate and succeed in their learning.
Our Whole‑School Approach
At St Columba’s, Grow Your Mind is embedded across the school, supporting:
- Classroom learning – Grow Your Mind Lessons during Health Lessons
- Positive relationships between students and staff
- A shared language across our community
- Partnerships with families to support children at home
This whole‑school approach strengthens our vision of educating the mind, heart and spirit of every child.
Further Information
To learn more about the Grow Your Mind program, please visit:
- Official website:
https://growyourmind.life/schools-program/