Hi Families,

Friendship Hand

Over the next few weeks, students will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about their 2026 classroom placement. As part of this, they’ll be given a Friendship Hand template. On each finger, they’ll write the names of five classmates they would enjoy learning and working with next year.

We’ll encourage students to think not only about their close friends, but also about peers they collaborate well with in class. If you think your child would benefit from chatting about this at home beforehand, please take some time to have that conversation together over the coming week.

Social Story

The following PDF contains some handy hints about getting back into the routine of school. It is in simple text and pictures and might be worth running through with your child to take discuss morning routines on a school day.

Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships

Teesdale Primary School teaches Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) as part of its Personal Social Curriculum.

The Respectful Relationships program supports schools to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. It teaches our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

Since 2016, respectful relationships education has been part of the Victorian Curriculum

The relevant Curriculum Descriptors are in:

Health and Physical Education. Students learn skills to manage wellbeing and build respectful relationships
Personal and Social Capability. Students learn to manage emotions, show empathy, and form positive relationships.

Our RRRR lessons include:

age-appropriate content and activities
support for building social and emotional skills
practical tools for real-life situations and relationships.

They also support a school-wide culture of equality, safety and respect.

In Term 4, Topics 7 and 8 will be taught. Within these topics, students are taught technical names for body parts, including private parts.

You can view the exact lessons/learning materials taught to your children by clicking on the resources below. 'Foundation Level' is Prep. The 'levels' equate to each year level. For example, Level 1 and 2 is for Year 1 and 2.

There are many myths and misconceptions about the RRRR approach in schools. Have a look at this website for accurate information on what RRRR is, and what it isn't.

https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-relationships#myths-and-facts

There has previously been a misconception that RRRR is a sex education program. This is not true.

Please read the learning materials, or reach out to your child's class teacher for more information on what is covered in the RRRR program.

Speak soon,

Mr Lindsay

Additional wellbeing supports available for all TPS families

Ballarat Health Service Access and Triage, or call 1300 094 187 for urgent mental health support
Suicide Call Back Service, or call 1300 659 467
Lifeline, or call 13 11 14, or Text 0477 13 11 14
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARNor call 13 92 76
Kids Helpline or call 1800 551 800
Beyond Blue or call 1300 224 636
Headspace or call 1800 650 890. Headspace also have online chat services that can be accessed at Online & phone support | headspace
Grief & Loss - The Trauma and Grief Network (TGN) (anu.edu.au)
Supporting primary school-age children through grief - Emerging Minds
How to support your family and yourself through grief and loss - Emerging Minds

Tuesday 11th November	2026 Foundation Transition Session (9:15-10:15am)
Tuesday 18th November	2026 Foundation Transition Session (9:15-10:15am)
Tuesday 25th November	2026 Foundation Transition Session (9:15-10:15am)
Tuesday 9th December	State-wide Transition Day (All Students)

2026 Foundation Transition

Transition Days

Uniform Shop