Family Engagement

Belonging: Why Feeling Known Comes Before Learning

At St Joseph’s Mernda, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, supported and known. A strong sense of belonging helps students feel confident, settled and ready to learn. For this reason, we focus on building belonging through our Vision for Engagement and the Berry Street Education Model.

Belonging means that every child feels valued and connected to their teacher, their classmates and the school community. When students feel this connection, they are more likely to have a go, share their thinking and keep trying when learning gets challenging.

In classrooms, teachers build this sense of belonging by getting to know each student, greeting them by name, checking in regularly and creating predictable routines. Students are given opportunities to have a voice in their learning and feel that their ideas matter. These consistent practices help students feel secure and ready to engage.

This approach supports strong learning. When students feel calm and connected, they are better able to focus, problem-solve and take responsibility for their work.

Families can support this by talking positively about school, keeping routines consistent, and checking in with children about their day and how they are feeling. Encouraging children to share their experiences helps strengthen their sense of connection.

By prioritising belonging, St Joseph’s Mernda aims to ensure every child feels known, valued and ready to learn each day.