The Department of Education has asked schools to share the following information:

Respectful, safe, engaged: shared expectations to support student behaviour

When schools, families and students work together, we achieve the best outcomes. These partnerships are essential to creating school environments that support all students to belong, learn and thrive.

At our school, all students are expected to be respectful, safe, and engaged. These behaviours help make our school a place where everyone can achieve their best. As a parent and carer, you play a vital role in helping your child to understand and meet shared behaviour expectations.

Students meet behaviour expectations by being:

Respectful

Following staff instructions and school rules.
Caring for school property and others’ belongings.
Using respectful language.

Safe

Keeping themselves and others safe from harm.
Speaking up or seeking help from an adult if they or someone else is being treated unfairly.
Only bringing safe and necessary items to school.

Engaged

Going to school every day, being on time, and ready to learn.
Taking part, doing their best, and asking for help when they need.
Knowing and following the school’s policies, including the mobile phone policy.

Drysdale Primary School is supporting our students to meet these expectations by being:

Respectful

Teaching and demonstrating school rules and positive behaviour expectations to students.
Explicitly teaching, modelling and acknowledging expected respectful behaviour.
Engaging collaboratively and positively with all students, parents and carers.

Safe

Having clear policies and procedures to prevent and respond to bullying and keep students safe.
Offering additional supports to students proactively and supporting students to speak up and seek help.
Proactively identifying and addressing problems to maintain a physically, socially and culturally safe school environment.

Engaged

Delivering evidence-based, inclusive education that meets the needs of all students.
Empowering students to have a say in decisions that affect their learning and school life.
Building strong, trusting relationships to ensure all students feel seen, heard and valued.

How parents and carers can help

By modelling and encouraging positive behaviour, you help your child build the skills and habits they need to be successful at school. This can include:

Respectful

Safe

Working together with staff if your child is having problems at school to understand and resolve the issue.
Ensuring your child knows it is okay to ask for help from a trusted adult at school.
Ensuring your child stays safe online by talking with them and addressing concerns early.

Engaged

Helping your child to attend school every day - every day counts.
Communicating with school staff and working together to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.
Talking with your child about their day and how they are feeling and encouraging their learning by noticing their effort and progress.

The Respectful, safe, engaged: shared expectations to support student behaviour statement is available on the department’s website.

Further information, resources and support are available at Supporting positive behaviour in Victorian government schools.

School Magazine

2025 School Magazine Orders