At Gowrie Street Primary School, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where every child feels a strong sense of belonging, connection and confidence.

Respect & Restorative Practice

We use restorative practices across the school to help students understand the impact of their actions, repair relationships, and grow as responsible and respectful members of our school community. Respect is something we teach, model, and expect—from the classroom to the playground.

Building Emotional and Social Skills

Our students are explicitly taught the skills they need to thrive through three key social-emotional learning programs:

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• Zones of Regulation – helps students recognise and regulate their emotions to support learning and wellbeing

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• URSTRONG– teaches the skills to build healthy friendships and manage peer conflict

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• Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships – develops empathy, gender equality, and respectful communication from the early years onwards. There are 8 topics addressed every year from Prep to Grade 6, including:

• Emotional Literacy

• Personal Strengths

• Positive Coping

• Problem-Solving

• Stress Management  

• Help-seeking  

• Gender and Identity   

• Positive gender relations

These programs are embedded in daily practice and supported by consistent, whole-school language and strategies

Connecting to Culture

We are proud to support students in developing a strong sense of identity, culture and community.
Students can access:

• Cultural mentoring with Aunty Lisa, who supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to strengthen cultural pride and belonging

• Community-based cultural programs, including excursions, storytelling, and visits with Elders and local organisations

• Cultural days and events that celebrate and centre student voice and identity

One-on-One Support

Some students need extra help and we’re here for them.

• Our Wellbeing Team offers one-on-one support for students experiencing social, emotional, or behavioural challenges.

• Our Wellbeing Tutor provides targeted, compassionate support to help students re-engage in learning and build confidence.

Healthy Eating for Healthy Minds

We know that nutrition plays a vital role in well-being and learning. Our Healthy Eating Program ensures students have access to nourishing meals every day to fuel their bodies and minds.

If you’d like to learn more about our wellbeing programs or how we can support your child, please contact our office on (03) 5821 3100.

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Responding To Racism At Gowrie St

Racism is not tolerated at Gowrie St Primary School

We are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where racism is not tolerated. Racism harms students’ mental health, learning and sense of belonging. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths of all our students. It is up to all of us atGowrie St to make our school a place that is free of racism and where everyone feels respected and can learn in a safe and inclusive environment.

What Gowrie St is doing to prevent racism

We follow the Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy.

We are building a culturally safe school with inclusive learning for everyone by working with staff, students, families, carers and communities. We will:

• provide programs that teach about and celebrate diversity, inclusion and the impact of racism to build understanding and empathy

• use practices that support all students to thrive

• implement anti-racism efforts to prevent and address racism effectively

• make sure everyone feels safe, with clear and accessible pathways to report racism

• ensure that our students backgrounds and cultures are reflected in the curriculum we provide

What to do if your child experiences or witnesses racism at school

If your child experiences or witnesses racism or religious discrimination at school, please let us know. You can tell your child’s teacher or any of the following school staff members: Tim Davis Assistant Principal- timothy.davis2@education.vic.gov.au or Eron Chapman Principal- eron.chapman@education.vic.gov.au.

Report Racism hotline

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting racism to school, or you are not happy with the school’s response, you can report racism to:

• the Department of Education’s Report Racism hotline via email report.racism@education.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 722 476 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

• Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) via email vaeai@vaeai.org.au or phone 03 9481 0800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) online, via email complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 292 153 (Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm).

For additional support following an incident of racism:

• First Nations students, staff or families can contact Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI)

• Jewish students, staff or families can contact the Jewish Community Council of Victoria

• Muslim students, staff or families can contact the Islamic Council of Victoria

 

For more information about how to report racism to the school, and to get information in community languages, visit this website: Report racism or religious discrimination in schools.

If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school.

How Gowrie St will respond to racism

When you report a racist incident, we will:

• take your report seriously and act quickly

• give you ongoing support

• investigate and respond safely and appropriately 

• keep you informed, while respecting privacy

• review the incident to help avoid it from happening again.

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