Dear Families

We are blessed with a very diverse and fascinating community. This is demonstrated daily in the languages we hear, the foods we see, the dialogue about different experiences and views and the way that most times our students simply see each other as people of dignity and worth.

 As children develop independence from their parents they begin to explore how they can present themselves in social situations. On occasion students will try responses which are not expected and this results in either conflict or hurt. When these occur, staff support students in identifying what went wrong, how they could have found a better way and how to reconcile relationships with those involved. A very small number of children struggle to identify consistent pro-social behaviours and need significant adult support, modelling and co-regulation. 

We have a responsibility to ensure that all students have a safe and respectful environment to engage in learning. As part of this we have intentional learning sequences to prevent and respond to repeated and targeted behaviour (bullying). This sits within the Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Support and the Rights, Responsibilities and Respectful Relationships curriculum but also can be enacted when specific need is identified.

If at any time you feel that your child is experiencing repeated, unreasonable behaviour (bullying) please contact your child's teacher or community leader. Please know that in all cases student dignity is maintained and care is taken to support both the student experiencing the behaviour and the student instigating the behaviour. Parents can expect to learn about support in place for their own child and a general understanding of the school consequence framework but specifics about another child can not be shared.

At all times St Thomas The Apostle PS has a zero tolerance of bullying. To understand what bullying is and is not, please see the Antibullying and Bullying Prevention Policy on the school website.

May you be blessed with a restful and calm winter break. Enjoy what sunshine is available and explore the winter activities our wonderful area has to offer.

Kind regards, 
Kate

Congratulations to the following students on making the Australian and National SSV Championships.

Lennox - Grade 6 recently attended the School Sports Victoria (SSV) Touch Football (rugby) tryouts. He was successful in selection to the Victorian U12s boys team and will participate in the Australian school championship in Darwin.

Akia - Grade 6 recently attended the School Sports Victoria (SSV) basketball tryouts which had around 600 students vying for selection. He was successful and  will be a part of a team of 10 student athletes that will represent Victoria and their schools in the upcoming (12 and under) National Basketball Championships that will be held in Perth from the 19th to the 25th of August.