Inclusion & Wellbeing

At Tootgarook Primary School, promoting student wellbeing is foundational to learning and growth. Our Tier 1 Wellbeing Supports provide universal strategies and programs that foster a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for all students.

Berry Street Education Model

Grounded in over 140 years of experience and extensive research, the Berry Street Education Model equips our educators with strategies to build safer, healthier, and more engaging classrooms. Our staff completed the comprehensive four-day training in 2021 and 2022, and this approach now underpins all our health and wellbeing initiatives.

The model focuses on five key domains:

• Body: Supporting students to regulate stress  and increase focus.
• Relationship: Building positive, relational classroom management for on-task learning.
• Stamina: Developing resilience, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset.
• Engagement: Motivating students to actively participate and learn.
• Character: Fostering values and strengths for effective learning and future success.

By nurturing self-regulation and relational capacity, the Berry Street Education Model helps prepare students to be ready to learn and thrive.

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships

We use the Victorian Respectful Relationships curriculum from Foundation to Year 6 to develop students’ social and emotional skills. This program promotes emotional literacy, problem solving, stress management, help-seeking behaviours, and positive gender relationships—supporting both wellbeing and respectful interactions.

Calm and Orderly Learning Environments

Clear, consistent classroom expectations and routines create safe, predictable, and calm learning spaces. Routines such as entry and exit procedures and seating plans are implemented consistently from Foundation to Year 6. Teachers model and reinforce respectful behaviour, adapting their approach to meet individual student needs.

Our approach is inspired by the principles of Classroom Mastery by Tim McDonald, which emphasises creating environments where all students can thrive through strong relationships, clear routines, and a focus on mastery learning. By embedding these principles, we ensure that classrooms are places of respect, engagement, and sustained academic growth.

Breakfast Club

Running every morning from 8:15 am in the Community Kitchen, our Breakfast Club offers a welcoming start to the day with nutritious food in a calm environment. It supports a smooth transition into the school day, with additional food available for students who arrive late. The club also provides a valuable opportunity for students and families to connect, socialise, and build a strong sense of belonging within the school community.

Buddy Program

Foundation students are paired with Year 5 buddies who provide leadership, friendship, and support during their first year. Regular activities foster connection and a sense of belonging.

Student Leadership

Year 6 students can apply for leadership roles including School Captains and House Captains. Student leaders model positive behaviour, assist with events, and represent the school, preparing for future leadership opportunities.

Student Health Ambassadors

At Tootgarook Primary School, our Student Health Ambassadors work in partnership with Peninsula Health to promote health and wellbeing across the school community. These student leaders are trained to champion healthy habits, raise awareness of wellbeing initiatives, and support their peers through school-wide health campaigns and activities.

This program empowers students to take active roles in shaping a positive and health-conscious school environment.

Play the RICH Way and Lunchtime Clubs

At Tootgarook Primary School, we promote positive play and student wellbeing through our Play the RICH Way approach, built on the values of Respect, Integrity, Celebration, and Honesty. These values are actively taught and reinforced in the yard and classroom, helping to create a safe, inclusive, and connected school

environment.We also offer a range of Lunchtime Clubs throughout the week, providing structured and engaging opportunities for students to connect with peers, explore new interests, and build social confidence. Clubs may include activities such as art, board games, sport, reading, and quiet play. These supervised options support positive social interactions and ensure that all students feel a sense of belonging during break times.

Secret Agent Society (SAS)

The Secret Agent Society is a computer-based program designed to support children aged 8 to 12 with identified social and emotional challenges, including autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorders. The program focuses on building four essential life skills:

• Recognising emotions in oneself and others
• Regulating emotions, particularly anxiety and anger
• Solving social problems
• Developing social skills for friendships and teamwork

At Tootgarook Primary School, SAS is delivered by trained members of our Wellbeing Team.

Lunch Clubs, Play Plans, Transition Plans, and Break Plans

Using a range of data—including behavioural incident reports, staff observations, and teacher or parent referrals—individualised plans and supports are developed to meet student needs. These may include:

• Alternative recess or lunchtime activities for students experiencing social challenges in the playground
• Access to zoned play areas to support structured and safe play
• Transition plans for students who find it difficult to separate from family in the morning
• Break plans for students who require regular movement or regulation opportunities to maintain focus and engagement in the classroom

School Focused Youth Services (SFYS) Programs

School Focused Youth Services implement a variety of small group programs to support our students’ wellbeing and personal development, including:

• Canine Comprehension — a program that uses the calming presence of dogs to help build social skills and emotional regulation
• I Am Mindful — mindfulness-based activities to promote self-awareness and stress management
• Enhanced Transition to Secondary School — targeted support to help students prepare for the move to secondary education

Regular Visits to Tounnin Wominjeka

Our senior students have regular opportunities to visit Tounnin Wominjeka, the Southern Peninsula’s welcoming Youth Hub. These visits provide a safe, supportive space where students can:

• Socialise and build friendships
• Participate in engaging programs like Canine Comprehension and I Am Mindful
• Access support and develop skills for a positive transition to secondary school

The visits help students connect with their local community and develop confidence in a relaxed, inclusive environment.

Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program is an on-Country Indigenous Ranger initiative, delivered in partnership with the Bunurong Land Council. It takes place at two culturally significant sites: The Briars and Police Point (Point Nepean).

This hands-on, excursion-based program is facilitated by Traditional Owners, Elders, Rangers, and community members. It offers primary and secondary students the unique opportunity to connect with cultural land management practices, sustainability, conservation, and ecosystem management — all within a culturally safe and respectful environment.

Through this program, students deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and custodianship of Country, fostering respect and connection to the land.

Wellbeing Support

Tootgarook Primary School is committed to providing tailored wellbeing support for students requiring intensive intervention. Tier 3 supports are coordinated by Assistant Principal Adele, who is currently completing a Master of Special and Inclusive Education.

Adele works closely with the school’s Wellbeing Team, including Sonia from Anglicare, to deliver individualised support based on student needs. Through a structured referral process, teachers can request one-on-one check-ins and targeted wellbeing support for students experiencing significant social, emotional, or behavioural challenges.

Individualised Programs

When Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports are not sufficient to meet a student’s needs, additional supports are provided. This may be required when a student shows persistent dysregulation, extremely low levels of wellbeing, or following a significant life event.

In these cases, school leadership collaborates with:

• The Wellbeing Team
• Classroom teachers
• Families and carers
• Department of Education staff
• External agencies and specialists

Individualised supports may include:

• 1:1 Education Support
• An alternative or supported learning environment
• Modified programs or adjusted timetables
• Personalised behaviour, regulation, or safety plans

Therapy Support – Speech and Occupational Therapy

Tootgarook Primary School works closely with a number of NDIS-funded therapists, including regular speech therapists and occupational therapists, who provide assessment and intervention tailored to student needs. These therapists are familiar with the school environment and collaborate with teachers and the wellbeing team to support student success.

Therapy support may include:

• Individual or group sessions
• In-class observations
• Communication with families and staff
• Recommendations embedded into daily classroom routines

Areas of focus include:

• Receptive and expressive language
• Speech sound development
• Social communication (pragmatics)
• Emotional regulation
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Sensory processing

Paw Pals Animal Assisted Education Program

The Paw Pals program supports students who are currently disengaged, at risk of disengaging from education, or on restricted school timetables. The program uses animal-assisted activities and individualised learning sessions with trained therapy dogs and experienced facilitators to build student engagement and confidence.

Paw Pals aims to:

• Increase social confidence and emotional intelligence
• Improve self-regulation and behavioural management skills
• Boost engagement in academic learning tasks
• Provide positive learning experiences and opportunities for student success

Through these supportive and nurturing interactions, Paw Pals helps students reconnect with learning in a meaningful and motivating way.

One-on-one tutoring run by Anglicare

Students referred by their teacher or the leadership team have the opportunity to attend free after-school tutoring to support their learning. Sessions are held on Tuesday afternoons, with students participating for a semester at a time. The school works closely with the Anglicare team to tailor each tutoring session to the individual needs of the student.