Student Wellbeing, Learning and Support

‘Happy Kids Learn’ is the motto of Banyule Primary School and reflects our strong belief that wellbeing and learning are intrinsically connected. When students feel safe, connected, valued and supported, they are better placed to engage in learning, build positive relationships and achieve their potential.

At Banyule Primary School, we are committed to creating a safe, caring and inclusive environment where every student is known, supported and encouraged to thrive. We recognise that student wellbeing is an important foundation for engagement, learning and achievement.

Our approach combines proactive wellbeing education, strong relationships, early identification of need and personalised support. We work in partnership with students, families, staff and relevant professionals to support every child to learn, grow and flourish.

Building Wellbeing and Resilience

Wellbeing is embedded throughout the school day and curriculum. Students are explicitly taught skills that support positive relationships, emotional awareness, self-management, resilience, problem solving and respectful interactions.

Our whole-school approach includes:

URSTRONG and Friendology 101, which explicitly teaches students about healthy friendships, managing conflict and responding to friendship challenges. Families are supported to use the same language and strategies at home through access to the URSTRONG parent and carer resources.
Peaceful Kids, which supports students to develop mindfulness, emotional awareness and resilience through age-appropriate lessons and practices.
Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR), which supports students to develop respectful relationships, emotional and social skills, resilience and help-seeking strategies.

These programs are in line with, and complement the Victorian Curriculum where students develop knowledge and skills to support their own and others' health, safety, wellbeing and relationships.

Knowing and Supporting Our Students

Teachers work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to monitor student learning, engagement and wellbeing. Through regular discussion of student progress and classroom evidence, teachers identify students who may benefit from additional support and work together to develop appropriate strategies.

Where a student requires additional support, our Student Support Referral Process enables classroom teachers to work with the Student Welfare Team to identify needs, coordinate appropriate supports and monitor progress. This may include academic, social, emotional, behavioural or engagement needs.

We work closely with students and their families and, where appropriate, collaborate with external professionals and Department of Education services.

Personalised Learning and Support

Some students require additional adjustments or personalised support to access learning and participate successfully at school. Support is tailored to the individual student and may include classroom adjustments, targeted intervention, additional adult support, personalised goals or collaboration with specialist services. Where appropriate, students may have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) outlining their personalised learning goals, adjustments and strategies.

Additional Learning Support

Our Education Support team works alongside classroom teachers to provide targeted support and help students access the curriculum. Support is responsive to identified student needs and may include:

classroom-based support during English and Mathematics
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support
targeted literacy intervention
extension and enrichment opportunities

Mental Health and Wellbeing

As part of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative, Banyule Primary School takes a whole-school approach to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader works with students, staff and families to support early identification, consultation, targeted intervention and connections with appropriate services.

Our wellbeing approach recognises that supporting students is a shared responsibility. Strong relationships between students, staff, families and the wider community help us create an environment where students feel a sense of belonging and are supported to develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to learn and thrive.

At Banyule Primary School, learning and wellbeing go hand in hand. We work together to ensure every student is known, valued and supported to achieve their potential.