Welcoming Sam to the Wellbeing Team

Samruthi Raja will be joining the Wellbeing Team as a first-year Master Social Work student. She will be working with students and staff at TPS as part of her graduate studies

and will be overseen by Anna Baker, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader.

Sam has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, Master in Family Counselling and is currently studying Master of Social Work at the University of Melbourne intending to qualify as a registered social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers at the end of next year.

Sam brings hands-on experience in clinical psychology, community outreach, and child development. Sam has also worked as a teaching assistant for children with dyslexia, providing individualised support to improve learning outcomes. She is particularly passionate about inclusive education, trauma-informed practice, and promoting psychosocial well-being in children. Sam is looking forward to contributing to the TPS community, learning from the school's wellbeing initiatives, and forming strong connections during her placement, which will continue through late August.

On Thursday 22nd and 29th May 2025, students from Years 1-6 met Constable Andy Moreton from the Preston Proactive Policing Unit. Andy presented a 60-minute workshop to each class, designed to reduce the incidents of online child exploitation through education, and to encourage help seeking behaviours.

The ThinkUKnow program is informed by reports to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, to ensure content delivered is addressing and responding to current trends seen by law enforcement.

Topics are dependent on developmental stages and aim to help students at all levels build critical thinking skills and recognise unsafe situations online. Primary aged presentations focus on topics such as privacy, inappropriate contact and help seeking behaviours.

The topics discussed in the presentations are linked to the relevant year level within the current Australian Curriculum. If you would like to view more information on these topics, please visit the ThinkUKnow website here.

"If people ask for your name and age online, don’t give it to them and block them.

If you need help, you can ask your Uncle, Aunty or Grandpa."

Kaiylayna (Year 3)

If you haven’t met a person in real life, you don’t know if they are who they say they are online.

Stella (Year 3)

Your child may have questions following this information session. The ThinkUKnow website has information and advice for parents and carers, including resources to learn more about how to help children in your care.

If you have any questions related to the program or require more information, please contact Anna Baker, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader via email at anna.baker@education.vic.gov.au or the ThinkUKnow team at online-child-safety@afp.gov.au

The eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commisioner is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety. Their purpose is to help safeguard all Australians from online harms and to promote safer, more positive online experiences. Their website includes guidance for:

Dhumbadjirri "Talk Together"

Issue #74 - Term 2 - Week6 · 30 May 2025

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