Wellbeing
Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships
Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships is an initiative designed to help schools and early childhood education settings promote respect, equality and healthy relationships. It equips educators with the tools to teach children how to build resilience, confidence and strong interpersonal connections.
In 2016, Respectful Relationships education was integrated into the Victorian Curriculum from Foundation to Year 12, and is now taught across all Government and Catholic schools, as well as many Independent schools.
At Montmorency Primary School, we ensure that every member of our community feels respected, valued and is treated equally. We understand that lasting change in attitudes and behaviours comes from embedding respect, positive actions and equality into the fabric of our school culture. We are a lead school in this initiative within our local schools network.
For us, Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships means fostering a culture of respect and equality throughout the entire school community—whether in classrooms, staffrooms, sports fields, school events or social gatherings. This holistic approach not only enhances students’ academic performance but also supports their mental health, improves classroom behaviour and strengthens relationships between students and teachers.
The Respectful Relationships program is taught at all year levels, covering key modules such as Emotional Literacy, Personal and Cultural Strengths, Positive Coping, Problem Solving, Stress Management, Help Seeking, Gender Norms and Stereotypes and Positive Gender Relations. Students engage in weekly lessons that incorporate role play, games and collaborative learning, helping them apply these important skills in real-life situations
At Montmorency Primary we equip our students with the skills and knowledge required to engage respectfully and safely in an online environment. We recognise the importance of working alongside families to build student awareness of both the benefits and risks of being online.
Teachers utilise the eSmart School resource as part of their teaching and learning program. eSmart Schools empower students to be positive digital citizens through curriculum-aligned digital and media literacy activities.
Student Voice/Leadership
Students at Montmorency Primary contribute to and provide feedback on decisions about school operations through the Grade 6 Leaders Program, Student Representative Council and other forums including year group meetings and Peer Support Groups. Students are also encouraged to speak with their teachers, Year Level Coordinator, Wellbeing Team, Assistant Principal and Principal whenever they have any questions or concerns.
We run an extensive Student Leadership Program here at Montmorency Primary. Students from all year levels can nominate themselves to be part of our Student Representative Council each semester, whilst a big part of our Term 4 program for our Grade 5 students is the opportunity to apply for a Grade 6 leadership position. Our school student leaders further develop their leadership skills through regularly speaking at our whole school assemblies as well as helping to organise and run community events.
Alongside the programs listed above, we also implement the following approaches and activities that form part of our multi tiered approach to student wellbeing and engagement:
- Zones of Regulation
- Class Circle Time
- Lunch clubs (e.g Lego club, Art club)
- Social Skills Groups
- Foundation/Grade 6 Buddy Program
- Foundation Yoga Program
- Smiling Minds/Meditation/Relaxation Sessions
Disability and Inclusion
At Montmorency Primary, a key part of our approach to Wellbeing is making sure we provide teaching and learning environments that support students with disabilities and additional needs. All members of our community deserve to fully participate, learn, grow and succeed in an inclusive school environment.
We focus on building strong, positive relationships with both students and their families. Embracing differences and highlighting students’ strengths is at the heart of our Disability and Inclusion approach. Our staff regularly take part in professional development to better understand students’ needs and to apply the best strategies for supporting them.
Our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team works closely with students, teachers, families and allied health professionals to create Student Support Groups for students who need an individual learning plan. These groups meet each term to review progress, celebrate achievements, set new academic or social and emotional goals and discuss any changes being made to help each student succeed.
