Assistant Principals' Report

Hello everyone and welcome to our newsletter article,

Revved Up- Stride Program

This week four staff Jonathan Wilisoni, Fiona Welsh, Simon Lovett and Tegan Griffiths attended a professional learning titled ‘Revved Up’. The session was facilitated by the Stride Foundation following a grant we received through School Focussed Youth. This is a not-for-profit organisation that provides grants for supporting students in schools aligned to our school strategic plan goals. 

Please see some information taken from the Stride website below in relation to Revved Up. 

Understanding emotions and taking responsibility for negative behaviour

While anger is a natural emotion and should have an appropriate outlet, young people often respond to this emotion in a way that not only escalates the situation at hand but teaches them counter-productive problem-solving techniques.

Revved Up is about self-reflection and behavioural change. Specifically, it’s designed to encourage students to be mindful of how they think, feel and act when they get angry, how they can cool down in challenging situations, and if faced with a situation they can’t avoid, how to ensure them and their friends remain safe without intentionally escalating the matter. Furthermore, Revved Up explores positive self-talk and how practicing this can help regulate emotions and avoid negative situations.

How Revved Up works

While this content can be challenging to navigate with young people, Revved Up employs aspects of Narrative Therapy to help elicit learning outcomes. Utilising practical activities, Revved Up aims to shift the emphasis away from the young person towards positive solutions to challenging situations.  Using self-reflection, students who are involved in Revved Up can connect the program’s learning outcomes to personal situations and make changes that benefit students daily.

Our Year 5 and 6 classes will be focusing on this content through Respectful Relationships and wellbeing lessons during Term 3.

Refugee Week - Finding Freedom, Diversity in Community 15th – 21st June 

For Refugee Week 2025, the Refugee Council of Australia will continue the three-year theme of Finding Freedom, with a focus on diversity in community to emphasise the vital role community plays in all our lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, language, disability, sexuality and age. The journey towards freedom represents the challenging path that many refugees take, escaping oppression and uncertainty for safety in a new place.  In these new spaces, community is more than just a physical place or a group of people; community is a lifeline. It offers refugees safety, belonging, and the strength to rebuild. Diverse communities bring people together, showing that our differences make us stronger, more united, and capable of facing challenges. Community is where people find the strength to solve problems together, where voices are amplified, and where aspirations find direction and support. It’s a space where everyone can feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams without fear or judgment. This Refugee Week, we celebrate the inclusive communities across Australia that open their arms to those seeking refuge, providing platforms for connection and a sense of belonging. 

https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/ 

Consultation on Policies 

We have recently reviewed two policies (Anaphylaxis Policy and Asthma Policy) as a component of our School Council and the work of our Education Subcommittee of council. The templates for these policies are generated by the Department of Education and available for schools to download through our Policy and Advisory Library (PAL). Often, we are unable to change them but simply brand them with our logo as particularly our medical policies have had consultation with department of health guidelines and other regulatory bodies. If would like to comment on these or have any questions please email helen.thomas@education.vic.gov.au or monique.rankin@education.vic.gov.au (Convenors of Education Subcommittee) 

Education Support Placement - Melbourne Polytechnic 

During Term 2, weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10 we will be / have been hosting Tiffany Cordeiro and Josiah Webb from Melbourne Polytechnic for a 100 hour placement. Tiffany and Josiah have been shadowing ES members across the school to learn how different classes and students are working and provide general support in specialist classes as well. 

Have a lovely weekend and week ahead.

Helen Thomas & Monique Rankin

Assistant Principals

Heidelberg Primary School