Wellbeing & Inclusion

Mental Health & Wellbeing

At Black Hill Primary School, the wellbeing of every student is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that when children feel safe, connected and valued, they are best placed to learn and thrive. Below is an overview of the key programs, practices and initiatives we have in place to support the mental health and wellbeing of all our students.

Personal and Social Capability

The Personal and Social Capability curriculum is taught across all year levels and helps students develop the knowledge and skills to:

Recognise and manage their emotional responses
Support themselves and others to face challenges with resilience
Build awareness of their personal strengths and develop a sense of purpose and wellbeing
Act with sensitivity towards others and respect diversity
Use interpersonal skills to establish and maintain respectful relationships

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR)

We teach the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program across our school. This Victorian Government program is designed to build students' social, emotional and positive relationship skills. It covers eight Social and Emotional Learning topics:

• Emotional Literacy

• Personal and Cultural Strengths

• Positive Coping

• Problem Solving

• Stress Management

• Help Seeking

• Gender Norms and Stereotypes

• Positive Gender Relationships

For more information, visit: Respectful Relationships Resources

Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) — Years 3–6

The Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) program is taught to students in Years 3–6, with some elements covered in Prep–Year 2. This program covers age-appropriate topics including:

• Protective behaviours and body safety

• Consent and personal boundaries

• Sexual and reproductive anatomy

• Emotions, friendships and relationships

• Puberty

For more information, visit: RSE Resources — Sexual Health Victoria

Wellbeing Programs

Peaceful Kids

Our 8-week Peaceful Kids program helps students learn practical ways to manage stress, understand their emotions, and build resilience. Through fun, small-group activities, children gain skills to face challenges with confidence.

Seasons for Growth

Seasons for Growth supports students who have experienced big changes, like family separation or loss. In a safe, small-group setting, children explore their feelings and learn to cope in a caring environment.

SPARK (Schools, Parents and Resilient Kids)

SPARK is a small-group program designed to support students who may benefit from additional social skills development. It provides a safe, structured environment for students to practise communication, cooperation and positive relationship skills.

Marrung — Aboriginal Education

Black Hill Primary School is committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment for all students, including our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families. Informed by the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan, we embed cultural perspectives across our curriculum and school community to ensure every child feels respected, valued and seen.

School Values

Our three core school values are Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. These values underpin all aspects of our teaching, learning and school culture and are explicitly taught and celebrated throughout the year.

• Term 1: All three values are introduced and explored

• Term 2: Focus on Respect

• Term 3: Focus on Responsibility

• Term 4: Focus on Resilience

Each term, students who consistently demonstrate the focus value are recognised with a values badge and celebrated at whole-school assemblies. Families can view nominations through Compass.

Student Behaviour — Flowchart, Expectations & Engagement Plan

We use clear, consistent systems to support positive behaviour. Our Behaviour Flowchart and Expectations guide staff and students in respectful, responsible actions, while our Engagement Plan focuses on connection and learning. Restorative practices help repair relationships and teach from mistakes, supported by Real Schools strategies like Circles, the P3P3F3 Framework and Affective Statements to build empathy, communication and problem-solving.

Behaviour Flowchart

Student Engagement Plan

Buddy Program

Our Buddy Program pairs younger students with older students to foster positive relationships and a supportive school community. Buddy classes meet at least twice per term to participate in shared activities. This program helps younger students feel safe and settled, while older students develop leadership, empathy and mentoring skills — building a genuine sense of belonging for everyone.

Student Clubs

We offer a range of student clubs that create opportunities for connection, fun and personal growth beyond the classroom. Clubs foster belonging, build friendships across year levels and support positive mental health through shared interests.

Examples include:

• Creative and arts-based clubs — (MakerSpace Club, Art Club)

• Games and activity clubs — (Lego Club, Sports Club)

• Mindfulness clubs – (Wellbeing Club, Library Club)

• Community and leadership clubs — (Koorie Club, Environmental Club)

Food Programs

Breakfast Club

Our Breakfast Club provides a free, welcoming breakfast for students before school. It's a wonderful way to start the day — giving students the fuel they need to focus, and a calm, social start to the morning.

Foodbank — Classroom Fruit / Kitchen Pantry

Thanks to our partnership with Foodbank, fresh fruit is available in classrooms throughout the week. Families in need of extra food supplies are welcome to access our kitchen pantry, which offers free Foodbank supplies for those who may need a little extra support.

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