Climate and Culture at USPS
- SWPBL - School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning
- MARRUNG - RAP
- Social Emotional Wellbeing
If you wish to hear more about our SWPBL Culture and Climate across our school, please contact:
Llewela Humphries
Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Inclusion
m: 0428 959 358
llewela.humphries@education.vic.gov.au
If you wish to hear more about our MARRUNG - Aboriginal Educational Plan at Upwey South, please contact:
Amanda Oakley
Auslan, Tutor Learning, and Marrung Lead
amanda.oakley2@education.vic.gov.au
What you will discover on this page:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Tiered Intervention - Upwey South PS
- MARRUNG - Reconciliation Action Plan - RAP
- Wear it Yellow Day
- Respectful Relationships and our USPS Welbeing Scope and Sequence
- Support Services for Families - Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit
- Introducing our new USPS School Counsellor - Lynne K
Mental Health and Wellbeing Tiered Intervention - Upwey South Primary School
During Term One 2026, we consolidated, refined and documented the interventions that we have in place at our school. Below you will see the whole school interventions that are accessible for all students from Foundation to Year Six.
Tier 1 - Universal Support
These supports are universal for every student, every day. They are seen, used and heard in every learning space. These are the backbone of our school and our SWPBL framework. Classroom teachers, ES staff, Administration staff and School Leadership are responsible for providing all these supports.
Tier 2 - Early Intervention
These supports are focused on a smaller portion of our students who require early intervention to support them in long term academic growth and to develop strategies and skills for social and emotional growth. Level Leaders, School Leaderhip and our Tier 2 SWPBL team are responsible for providing these interventions.
Tier 3 - Targeted Intervention
These supports are in place for individuals who require targeted intervention and immediate support from our school. The students are referred to us from Classroom teachers and parents, and we follow our school Wellbeing Care Pathway for referrals. School Leadership is responsible for this level of support.
MARRUNG - Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
We are proud to share that our school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has now been published. This is an important milestone for our school community and reflects the hard work, commitment and collaboration of our RAP Working Group and school staff. Together, we have developed a plan that supports our ongoing journey towards reconciliation, respect and understanding, and strengthens our commitment to recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions within our school community.
When do we meet?
There are many ways that you can be involved and we generally meet every three to four weeks on a Friday afternoon at 2.40pm before school pick up. We are excited to be on this reconciliation journey and welcome any school community members who would like to take part in the Working Group.
Who do I contact if I would like further information?
Please email Amanda Oakley if you have any questions at
amanda.oakley2@education.vic.gov.au
RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP
Whole schoolScope and Sequence - 2 yr cycle
At Upwey South Primary school we deliver weekly Respectful Relationship sessions. Our Foundation classes cover all eight topics within the one year. The Year One and Year Two classes cover the topics over 2 years and our composite Year Three / Four and Year Five / Six classes are also on a two year cycle. Below is an outline of the topics we are teaching within the school terms.
If parents would like to look into the topics / lesson being taught please use the below
'Arc - Teach Respectful Relationships' link to access all teaching materials.
Parent links: https://arc.educationapps.vic.gov.au/learning/sites/respectful-relationships/1785/Respectful-Relationships-resources
Family resources for Respectful Relationships
Upwey South Primary School Wellbeing Curriculum
For further information linked to our Wellbeing Curriculum, please view Issue 1 2026 - The Lyrebird Word (school newsletter)
Respectful Relationships
Parent links: https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/resilience-rights-and-respectful-relationships-and-building-respectful-relationships
Berry Street
Parent Link: https://www.berrystreet.org.au/learning-and-resources/berry-street-education-model
Let's TALK
Parent link: https://letstalkprogram.org/
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES
Parent and Carers - Mental Health and wellbeing toolkit
School Counsellor - Lynne Kennedy
At Upwey South Primary School, we recognise the important balance that both wellbeing and academics play in helping children to learn and grow throughout their schooling years. It is for this reason, that we locally fund a 0.6FTE (three days per week) School Counsellor, Lynne Kennedy.
Lynne has an extensive background in allied health, most recently working in private practice and as the School Counsellor of Mount Dandenong Primary School.
Over the past term, Lynne has been working on making contact with parents to discuss concerns and ask relevant questions of the students she is going to be working with. Building strong relationships will support the building of trust and connection with the students, teachers and parents.
Please be aware that new parent permission forms will be required to be completed for both existing and new referrals to access the School Counsellor. These forms are available at our school office or upon requestion from your classroom teacher and / or Miss Hhumphries
In the meantime, please refer to a brief introduction which Lynne has prepared for our school community:
My name is Lynne Kennedy, and I am delighted to be joining the Upwey South Primary School community as the new School Counsellor. I look forward to meeting and getting to know all the students, families, and staff who make this school such a special place.
I am a registered Clinical Family Therapist and a qualified Early Years Teacher, with additional post graduate studies in Play Therapy, and Neurobiology and Complex Trauma .
For the past five years, I have worked as the School Counsellor at Mount Dandenong Primary School, where I provided support to the terrific students, staff and parents who make up the Mt D school community.
I live locally in Tecoma and have loved being part of this vibrant community for the past 15 years. On weekends I enjoy gardening, walking in the hills with my dog, Carlos, or spending time with family in Inverloch.
I am excited to begin this new chapter at Upwey South Primary School, and look forward to being part of a team that supports the wellbeing and success of every child.
Please be aware of the information below:
Is there a cost involved to access the service, and does my child require a Mental Health Plan?
There is no cost involved for the family.
Your child does not require a Mental Health Plan to access the service. This is due to the fact that the counselling sessions are delivered by a fully qualified School Counsellor, as opposed to a medical practitioner.
There is also no limit on the number of sessions a child may access. Access to sessions, and duration (in weeks) will be determined between the Counsellor, the school, and the parent/carer.
How are sessions structured?
Our School Counsellor is in the school three days per week, with days dedicated to individual therapy sessions and to proactive group sessions as directed by the school. Student needs are prioritised in partnership with the school and the parent/carer. Prior to any child commencing, a confidential discussion will take place between the Counsellor and the parent/carer.
Will each child who is referred be able to access the service?
Unfortunately, this is not achievable within the current mental health environment. Referrals will be prioritised on a needs basis from within our own school cohort.
If I wish for my child to access the service, what do I need to do?
Please download and return the attached consent form.