Tecoma Primary School
Learn · Grow · Achieve
Wellbeing underpins learning
A safe and supportive school where all members feel a sense of belonging, are valued, respected and free from discrimination — because positive relationships are the key to everything.
The whole child, the whole school
At Tecoma Primary School, we believe that student wellbeing is the foundation for learning. When children feel safe, connected and valued, they are more confident to learn, build positive relationships and reach their full potential. Our whole-school approach ensures every student is known, supported and empowered to thrive both academically and personally.
Positive relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Wellbeing is embedded into everyday school life through School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS), Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships, The Resilience Project, Student Voice and Agency, and a range of targeted wellbeing initiatives. Our staff work collaboratively to create safe, inclusive learning environments where every child feels a strong sense of belonging and has a trusted adult to support them.
Positive relationships are key to students feeling safe, valued and accepted. Together with our families and community, we strive to create a school where every child feels safe, respected, connected and ready to succeed.
Committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child
This is the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Tecoma Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse — all allegations and safety concerns are treated seriously and consistently within our policies and procedures.
Every person involved in the school has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play, individually and collectively, to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.
We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously. We are committed to preventing child abuse, identifying risks early, and removing and reducing those risks.
Particular attention is paid to the safety, empowerment and participation of students from diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with a disability and special needs.
We follow Departmental practices for recruitment of all staff and volunteers, and regularly train and educate staff, volunteers and visitors on child abuse risks.
Feedback welcome. As valuable partners in promoting and maintaining child safety and wellbeing at Tecoma Primary School, we welcome your feedback. If you have suggestions, comments or questions about our child safe policies and practices, please contact the Principal.
Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Ensure that child safety and wellbeing are embedded in school leadership, governance and culture.
Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.
People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Ensure that processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Policies and procedures document how the school is safe for children, young people and students.
Our full suite of child safety policies is listed under Policies & Reports.
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support
At Tecoma Primary School, our positive school culture is built around our community-developed values of Respect, Resilience, Personal Best and Creativity. These values underpin everything we do and provide a shared language for learning, behaviour and relationships across our school.
Positive behaviours are explicitly taught, modelled and recognised. Students are rewarded for consistently demonstrating our school values, with these rewards contributing towards exciting whole-school celebrations such as dress-up days, discos, movie afternoons and extended lunchtime activities. This system reinforces positive behaviour while fostering a strong sense of belonging, teamwork and school pride.
Building respectful, resilient and inclusive communities
Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships curriculum is a core part of learning at Tecoma Primary School and is embedded throughout our school culture. As a Victorian Government initiative, the program provides age-appropriate learning that supports students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to build healthy relationships, understand and manage their emotions, resolve conflict respectfully and contribute to safe, inclusive communities.
Through explicit classroom lessons, role play and reflection, students explore topics such as emotional literacy, personal strengths, positive coping, problem-solving, stress management, help-seeking, respectful relationships and positive gender relations. These skills are reinforced across all areas of school life, helping students develop empathy, resilience, confidence and the ability to make positive choices.
By embedding Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships into our everyday practices, we foster a school culture where every student feels safe, valued, respected and connected. We believe respectful behaviour is not only taught—it is modelled, practised and celebrated throughout our school community.
Learning comes to life through hands-on activities — role-plays, story-based discussions and collaborative games that help younger students practise empathy, turn-taking and early conflict-resolution in ways that feel natural and engaging.
Students build on these foundations with deeper exploration of gender equality, respectful communication, help-seeking, and what it means to stand up for and support those around them.
Our Commitment to Reconciliation
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags that fly proudly at our school are more than symbols. They are a daily reminder of the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Australia's First Nations peoples and of our shared commitment to reconciliation, respect and truth-telling.
Across our school, students engage in learning that honours and celebrates the world's oldest continuous living cultures. Through Yarning Circles, storytelling, art, environmental learning, sustainability programs and our connection to Country, students develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their enduring connection to the land. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives are thoughtfully embedded throughout classroom learning and specialist programs, including Art, Music, Physical Education, STEM and Japanese.
Our whole staff is committed to embedding the principles of our Reconciliation Action Plan into everyday school life. Through culturally responsive practice and ongoing learning, we strive to create meaningful opportunities for students while celebrating events such as National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week as a school community.
As we continue to implement the actions of our Reconciliation Action Plan, we remain committed to creating culturally safe spaces where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to learn from one another. Together, we are raising young people who embrace truth-telling, respect and equity, helping to shape a reconciled future for all Australians.
Together, we walk toward a future built on genuine understanding, inclusion and connection.
Every voice matters
At Tecoma Primary School, we believe that students learn best when they are active participants in shaping their learning and school community. Student Voice and Agency is woven throughout school life, giving students authentic opportunities to contribute ideas, make decisions and develop the confidence to become leaders.
Student voice is also nurtured within every classroom through regular Class Meetings. Using a gradual release of responsibility model, teachers explicitly teach students how to participate in respectful discussion, solve problems collaboratively and make shared decisions. As students’ progress through the school, responsibility is gradually transferred to them, developing their confidence, communication skills and leadership capabilities.
Building resilient, kind and emotionally aware learners
In 2026, Tecoma Primary School proudly introduced The Resilience Project as our whole-school social and emotional learning program. This initiative was selected as part of our commitment to strengthening student wellbeing and building the skills children need to thrive both at school and in everyday life.
The Resilience Project complements our Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships curriculum, providing students with a consistent and evidence-informed approach to social and emotional learning. Together, these programs equip students with the confidence, resilience and interpersonal skills needed to become compassionate, capable and emotionally healthy young people.
Paying attention to what we have, not what we are missing.
Understanding others’ feelings, practised through kindness.
An awareness of life as we are living it.
Naming our feelings so we can manage them.
Connecting through play, creativity and belonging
At Tecoma Primary School, our lunchtime clubs are an important part of our Tier 1 wellbeing supports, providing students with opportunities to connect, explore their interests and build positive relationships in a safe, inclusive environment. While many students enjoy active play in the playground, our lunchtime clubs offer alternative spaces where students can participate in activities they enjoy, develop new skills and foster a sense of belonging.
Help is always at hand
Useful links to wellbeing information and support services for families:
Our Wellbeing Team and Student Services Team are here to help — reach out any time.
Tecoma Primary School stands with gratitude and respect on Wurundjeri Country. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land where our children learn, grow and play beneath the mountain ash, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
