St Brendan’s Catholic School in Bankstown is all about creating a welcoming environment for students to thrive, and the state government’s Wellbeing Boost was a fantastic opportunity to set up a new sensory space to support student wellbeing.
For this project, we worked with St Brendan’s Diverse Learning Coordinator- Michelle Coupland. Her feedback:
“Upon entering the ‘Reset Room’ at St Brendan’s, there is an immediate feeling of calm. Developed using the state government’s ‘Wellbeing Boost,’ this space provides a quiet, safe haven for students needing support with regulating feelings and emotions. The sensory space, with its bubble tube, interactive panel, bean bag, and weighted blanket, has been transformative.
One of the standout features is the sensory panel with its handheld microphone, which helps teach students to breathe slowly and deeply. They can watch the lights fill the panel with each breath while listening to soothing music. Observing students transform from a heightened state to a calm demeanour, using the equipment to regulate their feelings and emotions either independently or with staff support, has greatly enhanced their concentration and overall well-being”
How cosy and inviting does the room look!
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this sensory space a success…
Sometimes referred to as an ‘anxiety blanket’ the extra pressure and weight of a weighted blanket gives great proprioceptive input- the effect on the brain is like receiving a warm hug! A weighted blanket can:
- reduce stress and anxiety
- provide comfort and security
- improves focus and attention
- reduce hypersensitivity
- encourage self-regulation
Plus, with its super-soft, textured surface, a weighted blanket helps make this sensory space cosy and welcoming – ideal for curling up with on the beanbag or while watching the bubble tube.
Students can self-regulate as they watch the bubbles and lights, place their hands against the tube to feel the gentle vibrations, and listen to the soothing sound of bubbling water. A bubble tube is also a great way to:
- encourage focus and engagement.
- teach visual tracking and colour recognition.
- reduce sensory overload.
By including a Wireless Colour Controller, students at St Brendan’s can interact with the tube and change the colours to suit their mood. This module also packs an extra tactile and visual punch with fibre optics (safe for active play), and a mirror which gives the illusion of a second bubble tube.
Learn more about the different ways you can incorporate bubbles into a sensory space.
Students have extra energy to burn? The Beano beanbag in this space is the perfect ‘crash pad’ plus serves as a comfy seat that moulds to the body for soothing deep-pressure input. And let’s not forget- sitting in a beanbag is always more fun!
With the addition of pillows in another corner, St Brendan’s has several cosy zones for students to hang out either on their own or with a peer, and ‘reset’.
The Rhapsody Panel is a huge hit at St Brendan’s- a fun, interactive experience that lets students control the colours and patterns on the screen through talking, breathing and music. With interactive buttons and a microphone, the panel provides real-time feedback and encourages students to regulate their speech, breathing, and emotions.
A cool bonus – teachers can easily add their own sounds and music to the included SD card. No matter how often students use this sensory space, they can enjoy new sounds or even use the panel as a learning and speech therapy tool.
Check out the Rhapsody Panel in action below!
Check out Sensotec’s full range of Interactive wall panels here.
Mood Shapes add a soft. cosy glow to the room and are a fantastic multi-use addition. More than just mood lighting, they also serve as tables and seating and illuminate fidgets or spinners as they cycle through the colour spectrum.
As the mood shapes are lightweight and portable they’re also a great way to keep the space flexible and open up/ divide the room into zones.
And speaking of portable, sensory mats and tiles are always a smart choice…
Sensory mats are quick to set up and move- a great way to get students involved in creating their own sensory path of textures, shapes, and colours. St Brendan’s sensory space includes both Liquid Floor Tiles and Ortoto Sensory Mats, which help students:
- explore cause and effect.
- boost sensory integration.
- improve balance and body awareness.
- stimulate muscles in the hands and feet.
Plus the mats add plenty of visual interest- it’s not just students that are tempted to walk on these!
We love that St Brendan’s Catholic School call their sensory space a ‘reset room’ – it’s a beautiful room that supports student wellbeing and emotional regulation, a space where students can feel safe and ‘reset’.
