Principal's Report

At Truganina College, student wellbeing remains at the core of everything we do. We know that when students feel safe, supported and connected, they are able to learn, grow and thrive. Our approach to wellbeing is consistent and embedded across Foundation to Year 9 in the following ways:

Zones of Regulation 

The Zones of Regulation is a framework that can be used at school and at home to support the development of emotional awareness and self-regulation. It helps students identify their feelings and energy levels by grouping them into four colour-coded zones. All zones are natural, and the focus is on recognising how we feel and using strategies to manage emotions and return to a calm, ready-to-learn state.

Blue Zone: A low level of alertness, where a person may feel sad, unwell, tired, or bored. The body and brain may feel slow or low in energy.

Green Zone: A calm and regulated state where a person feels in control. This zone supports learning, working, and positive social interactions.

Yellow Zone: A heightened state of alertness where emotions such as stress, anxiety, frustration, or excitement may be present. A person may appear restless, fidgety, or sensory-seeking, indicating they are beginning to lose control.

Red Zone: A very high level of alertness involving intense emotions such as anger, panic, or extreme excitement. In this zone, a person is not in control of their body or emotions.

At Truganina College, the Zones of Regulation is used across Foundation to Year 2 to help students develop strong emotional and social skills early in their schooling. This whole-school approach supports students to recognise, understand, and manage their emotions, energy levels, and behaviours.

By using a shared language and consistent strategies, the Zones of Regulation enables students, staff, and families to talk about emotions in a positive and supportive way. To further support self-regulation, all Foundation to Year 2 classrooms include a calm-down space, providing a safe area for students to practise regulation strategies when needed. Classrooms also feature a feelings check-in station, allowing students to identify and communicate which zone they are in throughout the day.

How you can support the Zones of Regulation at home;

• Model the language of the Zones by talking about your own feelings and identifying which Zone you are in.
• Explain and model strategies you use to move to a more appropriate Zone (e.g. “I’m going to take a few deep breaths to help myself get back to the Green Zone.”).
• Teach and practice Zone tools so your child knows what strategies they can use in each Zone (e.g. reading quietly, deep breathing, movement breaks).
• Acknowledge and praise efforts when your child is in the Green Zone or working hard to regulate their emotions (e.g. “I can see you’re using your strategies to stay in the Green Zone.”).
• Help your child identify their Zone by using visual tools such as posters that can be placed on the fridge door or bedroom wall.
• Use sensory activities to support regulation, such as colouring, playdough, stress balls, outdoor play, or quiet reading time.
• Create calm routines and incorporate activities like relaxing music, children’s yoga, deep breathing, or mindfulness to help support emotional regulation.

The Resilience Project

The Resilience Project is a school-based program designed to teach students practical strategies to build mental health, wellbeing, and emotional resilience. Through a series of lessons, activities, and real-life stories, students learn the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and emotional literacy, helping them manage stress, cope with challenges, and develop a positive mindset. 

The program encourages students to understand and regulate their emotions, strengthen relationships, and cultivate habits that support long-term wellbeing, empowering them to thrive both academically and personally.

At Truganina College, students in Years 3–6 will take part in weekly, one-hour Resilience Project lessons as part of our THRIVE Curriculum. Across the entire College, we will embed the values of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy (GEM) into every aspect of school life – through our THRIVE lessons, GEM time in class, welcome passes for students arriving late, and many other initiatives. Together, we are fostering a supportive and positive school community where every student can thrive.

Resilience, Right and Respectful Relationships

Our Respectful Relationships curriculum strengthens students’ understanding of:

• Positive relationships
• Emotional safety
• Gender equality

• Problem-solving and conflict resolution

   

Through the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program, students are empowered to build healthy friendships and contribute positively to our school community.

Togetherness, Health, Resilience, Inclusion, Values, Empowerment (THRIVE)

The Year 7-9 THRIVE program develops active learners, leaders and citizens through the provision of a range of social, emotional and critical thinking learning opportunities. It develops the learner holistically, by providing instruction in Respectful Relationships, Careers and Work-Readiness, Goal Setting, Metacognition and Collaboration.

THRIVE will equip students with a set of thinking tools and knowledge that allows them to engage meaningfully in their learning and their educational pathways.

College Values & Values Day

The Truganina College Values are Learn, Respect, Responsible and Resilient. 

At Truganina College, our Values guide everything we do and shape the learning environment for our students. We value Learning, encouraging curiosity, growth, and a love of knowledge. We embrace Respect, fostering kindness, empathy, and understanding towards others and our community. Being Responsible is at the heart of our actions, as we take ownership of our choices and strive to make positive contributions. Finally, we cultivate Resilience, helping our students develop the perseverance and confidence to overcome challenges and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Together, these values create a supportive, inclusive, and empowering community where every student can succeed.

On Wednesday 25th February, we celebrated our first Values Day with the Value of Learn. Across the College, students and staff were immersed in rich and exciting learning opportunities that reflected this important school value. A huge thank you to Katie Foad for organising such a wonderful day.

A special highlight comes from our Year 4 team and was shared by Year Level Coordinator Colin Bright highlighting their Zooper Values Award that celebrates students who consistently demonstrate our College values. The award is alternated with Year 3, with one student from each class selected each fortnight. During assemblies, they take the time to articulate why each student has won, reinforcing the behaviours and standards we want to see consistently across the year level. As a small celebration, winners enjoy time out of class on Friday afternoon and a well-earned Zooper Dooper. 

Breakfast Club

Our Breakfast Club provides a welcoming and safe environment where students can connect with peers and staff, build routines, and ensure they are ready to learn. Breakfast Club serves toast, cereal and milk provided by Foodbank, hosts games to play and music to listen to – to provide students with a positive start to the school day. Breakfast Club is an opportunity for students to enjoy some breakfast while increasing a sense of connectedness, belonging and engagement within the College. Breakfast Club is open to all students and runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:00am – 8:30am outside Room 31.

Truganina College Behaviour Flowchart

To ensure clarity and consistency across the College, our Behaviour Flowchart outlines the steps staff take to support students in meeting expectations. The focus is always on restoration, reflection and growth. Our Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS) reinforce high expectations, predictable routines and strong teacher–student relationships. This approach supports a calm, orderly learning environment where all students can succeed.

Token Shop

Positive behaviour is reinforced through our Token Shop system. Students earn tokens for demonstrating our College Values and can exchange them for prizes and rewards. This system promotes motivation, goal-setting and pride in positive contributions to our school community.

Attendance

Going to school every day is an important part of your child’s education. Children and young people learn new things at school every day, connect with friends and develop good habits that help them to succeed now and in later years.

Attending and participating in school regularly will help your child:

• Develop important skills and knowledge to help them learn.
• Develop social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team-work.
• Establish friendships with peers which help develop self-esteem and a sense of belonging.
• There is no good number of days for missing school

Wellbeing Team

The Wellbeing Team at Truganina College have been privileged to work with the students and help them develop strategies to help cope with their experiences. They have worked to create a space the students see as valuable and safe. This increases their willingness to engage and improves relationships with them.

The aim for the Wellbeing Team is to facilitate group and individual sessions, as well as whole year level workshops that target the students’ needs. The Wellbeing Team are also lucky enough to work with a leadership team who supports their vision and encourages wellbeing conversations within the school.

The Wellbeing Team is grateful be working alongside this community, and is excited for what else Wellbeing can do to support the students.

James Damjanovski

Josh Kamener

Kellie Parnis

Katie Foad

Christina Arnold