And now a word from
Mrs Richards...
RESILIENCE, RIGHTS AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS
Throughout the year, all students at our school participate in the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program. This is a Victorian Department of Education program that forms part of the Victorian Curriculum and is taught in all government schools from Foundation to Year 12. The program is designed to help children develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive at school, at home and in the wider community. (Schools Victoria)
At its heart, the RRRR program teaches students how to:
- build positive and healthy relationships
- understand and manage their emotions
- solve problems respectfully
- develop resilience and confidence
- show empathy and kindness
- appreciate diversity and inclusion
- contribute to safe, respectful school communities.
Research consistently shows that explicitly teaching children social and emotional skills from an early age leads to improved wellbeing, stronger friendships, increased resilience, better learning outcomes and a reduction in bullying and disrespectful behaviour. These skills are just as important as literacy and numeracy in preparing children to become confident, respectful and responsible members of the community.
The program is organised into eight topics, with lessons carefully developed for each year level. Activities are always age-appropriate, thoughtfully planned and delivered with sensitivity by classroom teachers. The learning builds gradually as students move through primary school, ensuring concepts are introduced in ways that are suitable for children's developmental stages.
The eight topics include:
Emotional Literacy
Students learn to recognise, understand and express their emotions while developing empathy and understanding for the feelings of others.
Personal Strengths
Children identify their own strengths, develop self-confidence and learn to appreciate the unique qualities of themselves and others.
Positive Coping
Students explore healthy ways to cope with challenges, setbacks and disappointment while building resilience.
Problem Solving
Children learn practical strategies for resolving conflict, making thoughtful decisions and working collaboratively with others.
Stress Management
Students develop age-appropriate strategies for recognising and managing stress, helping them maintain positive mental wellbeing.
Help-Seeking
Children learn when they need support, who trusted adults are and how to seek help for themselves or others when needed.
Gender and Identity
Students explore the idea that everyone is unique and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Lessons encourage children to recognise and challenge stereotypes while promoting inclusion and acceptance of diversity.
Positive Gender Relationships
Students learn about respect, fairness, equality and healthy relationships. They develop the skills to communicate respectfully, value others and contribute positively to their communities.
We understand that some of these topics may prompt questions from families. Please be assured that our teachers present all lessons with great care, professionalism and sensitivity. The focus is always on helping children develop the personal and social skills they need to build respectful relationships, make positive choices and feel safe and supported.
The RRRR program is not about encouraging children to adopt particular beliefs or identities. Rather, it is about ensuring every child understands the importance of kindness, respect, inclusion, empathy and healthy relationships. These are essential life skills that support student wellbeing and contribute to a safe and positive learning environment for everyone.
As a Victorian government school, the teaching of Respectful Relationships forms part of the mandated Victorian Curriculum, meaning schools are required to teach these concepts in developmentally appropriate ways. (Education Victoria)
Further information
Families who would like to learn more about the program can access the Victorian Department of Education's information page here:
Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships – Victorian Department of Education
If you have any questions about how the program is delivered at our school, please don't hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher or a member of the leadership team. We value our partnership with families in supporting every child's social, emotional and academic development.
At our school, we believe that educating the whole child means nurturing not only academic success but also kindness, resilience, empathy and respect. The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program helps us work in partnership with families to develop these important lifelong skills in every student.
PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE
The Premiers’ Reading Challenge continues until September and may inspire some holiday reading! Please contact me if you would like your child to participate and I will provide you with login details.
NAIDOC WEEK
NAIDOC Week is a national celebration held each year to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, achievements and continuing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about and engage with First Nations cultures and histories.
This year's NAIDOC Week will be celebrated from 5–12 July 2026. The 2026 theme is "50 Years of Deadly", marking 50 years of NAIDOC themes and celebrating the strength, resilience, leadership, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
As NAIDOC Week falls during the holiday period, our school has made the decision to continue our Indigenous education focus later in Term 3. This will allow students to engage with the learning in a meaningful and respectful way, rather than rushing activities into the final week of Term 2.
Importantly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are embedded throughout our curriculum across the year. Examples of this include:
- The Indigenous Art Incursion experienced by our Year 5 and 6 students.
- The Year 3 inquiry into First Nations cultures and histories undertaken earlier in Term 2.
- Ongoing opportunities for students to learn about and appreciate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and perspectives across learning areas.
We believe that meaningful engagement with First Nations perspectives should occur throughout the year, rather than being limited to a single week of celebration.
Families interested in participating in NAIDOC Week activities during the school holidays can find information about local events, community celebrations, cultural activities and family-friendly experiences through the official NAIDOC website:
NAIDOC Week Official Website
https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week
Information about events taking place around Australia during NAIDOC Week can also be found here:
https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events
We encourage families to explore these opportunities and celebrate the rich cultures, histories and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during the holiday period.