Wellbeing

Respecting students and their families

As we continue to unpack our school value of respect this term – When respect shows, kindness grows – this week we consider how we show respect to each other as members of a community.

In a community as diverse and vibrant as ours, every family brings its own story, values and experiences—and every child is still so very new to the world. When we find ourselves talking about other students or families, it’s worth remembering that we are speaking about a child who has only been on the planet for a handful of years, learning, growing and inevitably making mistakes along the way. School is a place where mistakes are expected and embraced as part of learning; without them, children can’t develop the resilience, problem-solving or social understanding they need. When concerns arise, our staff approach each situation with care and professionalism, and we appreciate your understanding that we cannot share details about other children or their circumstances—just as we would never openly discuss your own.

As parents, it can be helpful to pause and reflect when confronted with stories about another child. Questions such as “What might be happening for this child or family right now?”, “How would I feel if this were my child being spoken about?”, or “Is this a moment for empathy rather than judgement?” can guide us toward more compassionate responses. Often, there are behind-the-scenes reasons, supports in place or conversations taking place that you might not be privy to. Together, we can create an environment where all children—and all families—feel safe, understood and supported.

For our students, this translates into our ‘no naming, shaming or blaming’ approach to conflict resolution. Children learn best when they feel safe, respected and supported. By focusing on the behaviour rather than the individual, we help students stay open to reflection, repair and problem-solving — essential ingredients for genuine conflict resolution and positive relationships.

Want to know more about the upcoming Social Media Ban?

Check out this free webinar for parents – you’ll need to register 

https://cybersafetyproject.com/families-hub/

Social media 'ban' or delay Parent and Family Webinar

Join us for a live online event designed for parents and children to attend together to learn what the new social media changes mean for families. 

• Unpack what’s changing and why 
• Bust common myths and misunderstandings 
• Help families start the conversations
• Get everyone on the same page about the changes

 Wednesday 19th November 2025, 7pm AEDT 

Format: 45-minute live webinar  Audience: Parents and children under 16 Cost: Free

To further support you to build an understanding of the complex world of online safety, School TV has been updated this month to include editions all related on social media and online gaming, including the following special reports:

https://brightonbeachps.vic.schooltv.me - USE THIS LINK TO CHECK OUT SchoolTV