Wellbeing at EPS

Respectful Relationships (RR) Education is an initiative Essendon Primary School continues to embed as a core component of our whole-school approach to improving mental health and wellbeing. In 2025 we maintain our commitment to create a school environment where everyone feels respected, valued and are treated equally.

Since the beginning of 2025, specifically designed strategies have been implemented into classrooms from Foundation to Year 6 to promote and model respect and equality. Students have engaged in strategies for developing positive and healthy attitudes and behaviours towards self and others, underpinned by the Berry Street Education Model, and coinciding with the continuous roll out of our updated EPS’ School-Wide Positive Behaviour Supports framework.

EPS students have also continued their ‘RR’ learning via The Resilience Project (TRP) lessons delivered during weekly Wellbeing Specialist classes. The Department of Education’s ‘Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships’ curriculum program topics 1-6 (see below) are embedded throughout TRP’s 4 key concept: Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy. These concepts support children to build confidence, healthy relationships, and resilience, aligning with the Personal and Social Capabilities, and Personal, Social and Community Health learning areas from The Victorian Curriculum.

In Term 3, students F-6 will undertake a series of lessons delivered by homegroup teachers to address content from Topic 7 and / or Topic 8. 

NOTE: These topics are taught in a 2-year alternate cycle in Years 1-6.

Teaching teams will deliver a range of age-appropriate, supportive activities that build and enhance skills in the areas of empathy, resilience and self-esteem while developing problem-solving skills that can help prepare students to face challenges and navigate relationships with increasing independence. Throughout the program, there will be clear expectations set for students and an emphasis on discussing these topics using correct terminology and respect for other students and staff at all times.

We place high importance on fostering strong partnerships between EPS staff and families. To best support your child’s learning we encourage you to discuss these topics with your child before they will be covered at school. Having in-advance-conversations at home may help your child to feel more comfortable when the topics are encountered in the classroom, providing an opportunity for any questions or concerns your child may have to be addressed in a supportive environment. By taking these steps, you can help increase your child’s levels of preparedness and confidence as they learn about new and sometimes challenging topics.

Information about the Respectful Relationships Initiative can be found here.

Links to the newest version of the ‘RRRR’ teaching materials can be accessed here.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this information further, please contact a member of the EPS Leadership Team.