Wellbeing Centre & Student Support

At Thomastown Meadows Primary School, we recognise that student wellbeing is essential for learning, positive relationships and personal growth. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels valued, connected and ready to learn.

Through our Wellbeing Centre, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, and trauma-informed practices, we provide a coordinated approach to supporting students' social, emotional and mental health needs.

Our Wellbeing Centre

Our Wellbeing Centre provides a calm, supportive environment for students who may be experiencing challenges with emotional regulation, wellbeing or engagement in learning.

The centre offers short-term, individualised support through appropriate sensory, environmental and relational adjustments. These supports help students manage emotions, reduce feelings of overwhelm, develop self-regulation strategies and build confidence to participate successfully in classroom learning.

The Wellbeing Centre is not an alternative classroom or permanent placement. It is a purposeful, short-term adjustment designed to maintain students' dignity, sense of belonging and connection to school while supporting their successful transition back into the classroom.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

As part of the Victorian Government's Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative, our dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader works collaboratively with students, staff, families and external services to strengthen student mental health and wellbeing.

The role includes:

Early intervention: Identifying and responding to emerging mental health and wellbeing needs.
Student support: Assisting students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or engagement challenges.
Staff collaboration: Supporting teachers to implement inclusive practices and appropriate adjustments.
Family connections: Helping families access relevant wellbeing services and external supports.
Whole-school wellbeing: Promoting initiatives that strengthen positive mental health and student wellbeing.

This coordinated approach helps ensure students receive timely and appropriate support to participate positively in school life.

Supporting Wellbeing Through Trauma-Informed Practice

Alongside individualised wellbeing support, we are embedding elements of the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) to strengthen our whole-school approach to trauma-informed teaching and learning.

The model recognises that stress and trauma can affect student wellbeing, behaviour and learning. It guides staff in creating safe, predictable and supportive environments through five key domains:

Body: Supporting physical and emotional regulation.
Relationship: Building safe, positive and trusting connections.
Stamina: Developing resilience and persistence.
Engagement: Encouraging active participation in learning.
Character: Strengthening personal values, strengths and positive choices.

Morning Circle

One of the key practices we are embedding is Morning Circle, a structured classroom routine that helps students begin the day feeling connected and ready to learn.

Through positive greetings, emotional check-ins and shared activities, Morning Circle helps students build relationships, develop social and emotional skills, and establish a calm, positive start to the school day.

Together with consistent routines and self-regulation strategies, these practices create learning environments where wellbeing and learning go hand in hand.

Working Together to Support Students

Supporting student wellbeing is a shared responsibility. Our classroom teachers, Education Support staff, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, and school leadership work closely with families and external professionals to identify student needs and coordinate appropriate support.

Families who have concerns about their child's wellbeing are encouraged to speak with their child's classroom teacher or contact the school to discuss available support.

Together, we strive to ensure every student feels safe, connected, supported and empowered to thrive.