Wellbeing at TPS

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
