Wellbeing at PARK RIDGE
Park Ridge
student wellbeing
Park Ridge Primary School believes that all children can flourish when they are supported in their own learning, growth and wellbeing.
When we ask parents what they would like for their children we usually get the response, ‘I want my child to be kind and happy!’ At Park Ridge we are committed to developing kind, grateful and positive students.
Over many years, our school has been on a journey to embed Positive Education into the curriculum. The initiative has brought together the science of Positive Psychology with best practice teaching to encourage and support individuals, our school and the community to flourish.
Positive Education focuses on specific skills that assist students to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, promote a healthy lifestyle and enhance resilience, mindfulness and gratitude.
SCHOOL VALUES
We are Respectful – We are respectful by treating people, places, and ourselves with kindness and fairness. We listen, include others, care for our environment, and speak and act in ways that make everyone feel valued.
We are Kind – We are kind by thinking about others and choosing to act in caring ways. We are thoughtful, use kind words, help others, include everyone, and are thoughtful of our actions to make people feel happy.
We are Resilient – We are resilient by bouncing back when things don’t go to plan. We stay calm, learn from experiences, and try again. We ask for help when we need it, as challenges help us grow.
buddies program
At Park Ridge Primary School, we pride ourselves on fostering a sense of unity and mentorship through our innovative buddy program.
Pairing our compassionate Year 5 students with Foundation students, this initiative creates a supportive bridge between different age groups.
Meeting weekly, buddies engage in enjoyable tasks that align with the Foundation students’ classroom learning, nurturing a sense of companionship while reinforcing educational concepts.
This unique approach not only aids academic progress but also cultivates a warm and inclusive school community where young learners feel guided and cherished every step of the way.
berry street education model
RELATIONSHIP
STAMINA
ENGAGEMENT
CHARACTER
We believe the Berry Street Education Model is strengthening our teaching as it focuses on educating the heart as well as the mind.
School wide positive behaviour support
At Park Ridge Primary School, School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) has been implemented to create a safe, consistent, and supportive learning environment for all students. Through the SWPBS framework, expected behaviours are explicitly taught, modelled, and reinforced across all school settings, helping students to understand what positive behaviour looks like in the classroom, playground, and wider school community. By using consistent language, routines and acknowledgement systems, staff support students to develop social, emotional, and behavioural skills that promote engagement, wellbeing, and successful learning outcomes. The framework has also strengthened staff consistency and fostered a positive school culture focused on prevention, relationship building, and student success.
student leadership
At Park Ridge Primary School, Grade 6 students have the exciting opportunity to take on leadership roles including school captain and sports captain roles.
These positions offer young leaders a platform to develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving.
Serving as school captains allows students to lead by example, fostering a sense of unity and pride within the school community. On the other hand, sports captains not only encourage their peers to excel in physical activities but also learn about sportsmanship, fair play, and organisation.
These leadership opportunities empower Grade 6 students to grow as individuals while making a positive impact on their school environment.
Lunchtime Clubs
Park Ridge Primary School offers a variety of lunchtime clubs, including Chess Club, Gardening Club, and Library Club, catering to the diverse interests and preferences of our students during their lunch break.
These clubs provide a range of options for students to engage in extracurricular activities that align with their passions, whether it’s strategic thinking through chess, nurturing green thumbs in the gardening club, or immersing themselves in the world of books and literature in the library club.
This diversity ensures that all students have the opportunity to participate in a club that resonates with their individual interests.
EarlyAct Club
At Park Ridge Primary School, Year 6 students have the opportunity to join our EarlyAct Club in partnership with the Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield. Students can participate as members or take on leadership roles as Office Bearers, helping to lead projects that support our school, community, and the wider world.
Through EarlyAct, students develop important skills such as teamwork, organisation, leadership, and public speaking while working together to make a difference.
Members organise fundraising and service initiatives that support a range of charities, including the Cancer Council, Make-A-Wish Foundation, ShareSpace, and Royal Children’s Hospital, as well as contributing to local and global causes.
These experiences encourage students to show compassion, take initiative, and develop a strong sense of social responsibility while making a meaningful contribution to the school and broader community.
SCHOOL CAMPING PROGRAM
FOUNDATION
Healthy Day – To help support important concepts learnt throughout the Foundation ‘Healthy Me’ unit, the students enjoy a day full of healthy activities, nutritious food and fun.
YEAR 1
Extended Day – Students enjoy an afternoon at school where they participate in team work games, have a visit from a children’s entertainer, and then enjoy a sausage sizzle for dinner.
YEAR 2
Oasis Mt Evelyn Day Camp – An opportunity to immerse students in the essence of camp life without sleeping over. Students will experience outdoor activities and share meals together to prepare them for the camps ahead, whilst enjoying the beautiful surrounds of the Australian bush. Students will be tempted to complete a crate climb, climb walls, make candles and work together to complete initiative games.
YEAR 3
Ferngully Lodge Camp (1 Night Camp) – Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Healesville, the adventure camp offers an unparalleled escape into nature’s embrace. Amidst towering eucalyptus trees and rolling hills, campers will eagerly embark on a journey of excitement and exploration. From challenging traverse walls, ropes course, the centipede and cargo net, each day will bring new thrills.
YEAR 4
Mt Evelyn Discovery Camp (2 Night Camp) – Mt Evelyn Discovery Camp is a wildlife and environmental adventure camp located in the Dandenong Ranges. Students will experience a range of programs and activities that take advantage of the beautiful environment and the natural spaces around the site. From the flying fox to high ropes, to nature trails and bush walks students will make a connection with nature, whilst supporting their adventurous spirit.
YEAR 5
Campaspe Downs Camp (2 Night Camp) – Campaspe Downs is set amid 160 acres of stunning natural bushland in the Macedon Ranges. It boasts a wide range of exciting adventure activities – from flying fox to raft making, a double giant swing and the leap of faith. The focus being developing the students’ love for the outdoors and nature, while also developing resilience, independence, relationship building and fun.
YEAR 6
Camp Rumbug (2 Night Camp) – An adventure-based camp located in the hills of South Gippsland, two hours from Melbourne’s CBD and set in 200 acres of rainforest overlooking Wilsons Promontory National Park. The camp includes a wide range of adventure activities such as abseiling, canoeing, archery and mud run to name a few! It also offers a specifically designed schedule which includes fun evening entertainment programs.
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