Student Wellbeing
Wellbeing is defined as the development of the capabilities necessary to thrive, contribute and respond positively to the challenges and opportunities of life (FISO 2.0).
At Apollo Parkways Primary School we support student wellbeing by:
Supporting all students to build the social and emotional skills for lifelong positive mental health.
Creating a positive, inclusive and supportive environment for optimal learning, development and wellbeing.
Providing a range of opportunities for students to feel connected to their peers, school and community.
Ensuring our staff are committed to the welfare of students and their families and work in partnership to build strong relationships.
Explore our wellbeing programs
Choose an area above to see its programs.
Feeling part of our school and our community.
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Belonging & Connection
Making Connections
Building strong, lasting connections with our community is important to us at Apollo Parkways Primary School.
We continually seek opportunities to engage with families, friends and the wider community to strengthen partnerships and enrich our students’ learning and wellbeing. Some of the ways we connect with our community include:
- An annual Art Show
- Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Breakfast
- Prep Welcome Picnic
- Special days such as R U OK? Day
- House Days
- Weekly assemblies
- Whole School Trivia Nights
- Information Evenings
- Working bees
- A Night on the Green
- School Camps
- Footy Day
- Book Week
Belonging & Connection
Transition Programs
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, we recognise that transitions are an important part of every child’s learning journey.
- Starting Prep
Our Prep transition program helps children become familiar with our school, routines and staff before starting, while our Buddy Program pairs Prep students with Grade 6 buddies who provide friendship, guidance and positive role modelling. More information about starting Prep can be found in the Enrol Now section of our website.
- Every year
At the end of each year, all students have opportunities to meet their new teacher and classmates and become familiar with their new classroom.
- Grade 6 to Year 7
Throughout Grade 6, students participate in a range of transition activities to prepare them for secondary school. These include experiencing A Day in Year 7, building connections with local secondary schools and taking part in classroom activities focused on managing change and preparing for new challenges. The year culminates in a special Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony, celebrating students’ achievements and marking this important milestone in their learning journey.
Belonging & Connection
Lunchtime Clubs
Lunch Clubs provide an opportunity for all of our students, especially those who may feel overwhelmed in the yard or who may require more structured and supported play experiences.
The students attend and build connections with other staff and students in our community. Some of our clubs include:
- Games Club
- Lego Club
- Music/Dance Club
- Drawing Club
- Gardening Club
Belonging & Connection
Breakfast Club
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, we want every student to feel welcome, connected and ready to learn.
Our Breakfast Club runs weekly, providing students with an opportunity to enjoy breakfast in a friendly and supportive environment before the school day begins. Fresh fruit is also provided to classrooms to encourage healthy eating and help students start their day feeling nourished and ready to learn.
Breakfast Club is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with peers and build positive relationships within our school community.
Belonging & Connection
Camps & Excursions
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, camps and excursions provide valuable opportunities to extend classroom learning and support students’ social and emotional wellbeing.
These experiences encourage students to develop independence, resilience, confidence and problem-solving skills while building positive relationships with peers and teachers.
By exploring new environments, working collaboratively and stepping outside their comfort zones, students strengthen their sense of belonging and create lasting memories as part of our school community.
Skills and support for lifelong mental health.
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Learning to Thrive
Social & Emotional Learning
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, we recognise that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important part of every child’s education.
We explicitly teach students the skills they need to understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships, solve problems, navigate challenges and develop resilience. Through our whole-school approach and targeted wellbeing programs, students develop a shared language and practical strategies to support their wellbeing, friendships and learning.
By creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, we aim to ensure every student feels a sense of belonging and is equipped with the social and emotional skills they need to thrive at school and beyond.
Our programs
Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR)
Respectful Relationships Education is an important part of our whole-school social and emotional learning program, supporting students to develop positive relationships, build resilience and emotional skills, and understand respect, inclusion and gender equality. Respectful Relationships Education is mandated for all Victorian government schools and forms part of the Victorian Curriculum. Through age-appropriate learning, students develop the skills and confidence to communicate respectfully, manage emotions, resolve conflict and seek help when needed.
KidsROAR (Personal Safety Education)
Our KidsROAR Parent Information Sessions provide families with practical strategies and language to support conversations about protective behaviours, personal safety and help-seeking at home. The sessions complement the Respectful Relationships learning students receive at school and help families reinforce these important messages together.
Stellar Steps
This program is designed for Prep and Grade 1 students and aims to nurture the social and emotional capabilities that support lifelong mental health and wellbeing, giving our youngest learners the tools they need to grow into confident, resilient and compassionate individuals.
Small Group Social and Emotional Support
We provide targeted wellbeing and social and emotional support groups for students who benefit from additional support beyond our whole school programs. Using evidence-based programs such as Zones of Regulation, Social Stencil and Lego Therapy, these early interventions help students develop emotional regulation, social skills, resilience and positive relationships.
Learning to Thrive
MHiPS
Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) is a Victorian Government initiative developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to build the capacity of primary schools to support students’ mental health and wellbeing.
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader works alongside staff, students and families to promote positive mental health, support the early identification of emerging concerns, coordinate targeted support and strengthen connections with additional services when needed.
Through MHiPS, we are continuing to develop a whole-school approach that prioritises prevention, early intervention and the mental health and wellbeing of every student.
A safe, respectful place where every child belongs.
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Safe & Inclusive
Disability & Inclusion
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued, supported and has the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive.
We recognise that every child has individual strengths, interests and learning needs, and work in partnership with students, families and relevant professionals to provide appropriate support and reasonable adjustments.
Through the Victorian Government’s Disability Inclusion framework, we use a strengths-based approach to understand students’ needs and develop strategies that support their learning, wellbeing, independence and participation in school life. This may include:
- Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
- Student Support Group (SSG) meetings
- Adjustments to classroom activities and environments
- Additional learning or social and emotional supports
Our goal is to ensure every student feels a strong sense of belonging and has meaningful opportunities to reach their potential.
Safe & Inclusive
eSmart School
We are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive digital learning environment at Apollo Parkways Primary School.
As an eSmart school, we recognise the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and skills to use digital technologies safely, responsibly and positively. At the beginning of each school year, all students sign an Acceptable Use Agreement, which outlines the school’s responsibilities in supporting safe digital learning and the behaviours expected of students when using digital technologies and online spaces.
Through our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy, explicit teaching and initiatives such as Safer Internet Day and eSmart Week, we educate students about cyber safety, online privacy, respectful online communication, copyright and responsible digital citizenship.
We also work in partnership with families to promote safe and responsible technology use at home and at school, recognising that online safety is an important part of student wellbeing.
Safe & Inclusive
Child Safe Standards
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority.
We are committed to providing a child-safe environment where all children feel safe, respected, included and empowered to speak up and have their voices heard. Guided by the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Department of Education’s PROTECT guidance, we embed child safety into our school culture, leadership, policies and everyday practices.
We are committed to respecting the diverse needs and identities of all students, providing child-focused processes for raising concerns, and ensuring staff understand their responsibilities to identify, report and respond to child safety concerns. Through ongoing staff training, regular review of our practices and partnerships with students and families, we work proactively to prevent harm and promote the safety, rights and wellbeing of every child.
Safe & Inclusive
C.U.S.T.
Community Understanding & Safety Training
Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) are area-based professionals who support schools to strengthen educational engagement and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, bringing knowledge of Aboriginal cultures, histories and local communities.
At Apollo Parkways Primary School, staff have participated in Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) with our KESOs. This professional learning focused on creating culturally safe and inclusive learning environments, strengthening our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and identifying ways to support student engagement, belonging and educational outcomes.
Read about CUST on the Victorian Department of Education website
Wellbeing Weekly
Each week, our Wellbeing Weekly section in the school newsletter provides families with practical tips, helpful information and trusted resources to support children’s social, emotional and mental health.
Topics include building resilience, managing big emotions, strengthening relationships and navigating everyday challenges. We encourage families to explore these resources and discover simple ways to support their child’s wellbeing and development at home.
Wellbeing Weekly articles
Term 4 2026 articles coming soon