Brain Builders Academy: Bespoke Tier 2 Social Skills Program

Holy Rosary implemented a whole-school Tier 1 social and emotional learning program, then used pastoral care data to identify students needing more targeted support, discovering that many challenges emerged during unstructured recess and lunch times. An existing Tier 2 program helped many students, but the pastoral care team recognised upper primary boys needed something more engaging and bespoke. Special needs teacher Jen McAlpine researched and created Brain Builders Academy: a gamified, mission-based program teaching emotional regulation, flexible thinking and problem-solving through ten explicit lessons, weaving Catholic values through every mission. The program is now beginning its rollout at Holy Rosary.