We have a number of programs and activities in place to support our students at Wattle Park Primary.
Support for Parents and Carers
We understand the current environment can be challenging, so please see a list of resources from the Department of Education and Training (DET) that might assist you and your family at this time. To view the DET resources, please click HERE.
Start Up Program
At the beginning of each year in all year levels, we implement the Start Up Program which aims to:
- Allocate significant time to get to know our new group of students and allow them time to get to know their teacher as a significant adult in their lives and each other.
- Allow our students to identify the unique qualities they have, that make them special.
- Recognise that each student and adult brings something to the group and that each should be valued as an individual.
- Develop clear understandings about the ‘Ways We Want to be Treated’ from both an adult and student’s perspective.
- Assist students and staff to make the transition between levels within the school.
- Support staff new to our school or a level in developing an understanding about what we value as a school.
- Introduce skills and tools to students using information that is known to them, so they can use the same strategies later with challenging new information and learning.
We take great care to promote positive transitions and pathways throughout the school. A range of strategies including our school Start Up Program is complemented by our:
- Kinder to Foundation Transition Program
- Year 6 to Secondary Transition Program
Restorative Practice
Wattle Park Primary School implements ​Restorative Practice to repair relationships.
Restorative practice is a strategy that seeks to repair relationships that have been damaged, including those damaged through bullying. It does this by bringing about a sense of remorse and restorative action on the part of the offender and forgiveness by the victim.
The rationale behind this approach is that when offenders reflect upon their harm to victims:
- They become remorseful and act restoratively.
- Practitioners can focus on the unacceptable behaviour of offenders rather than their moral character.
- This can lead to healthier interpersonal relations among members of the school community and more effective learning.
Restorative practices can be undertaken in a variety of forums. It may be conducted with varying degrees of formality and may include just those students most directly involved in bullying or in some circumstances a whole class.
‘Community Conferences’ include supportive third parties such as friends, families and possibly a community figure such as a police community liaison officer. This forum is used to address the concerns of both individuals and the wider community.
- Restorative Practice in WPPS is commonly guided by a 'Think Sheet', which directs staff to ask the perpetrator to describe what happened and to reflect on what harm it has done. The victim is asked to say how they have been affected and what needs to be done to put things right.
- In the spirit of personal responsibility, forgiveness and commitment to positive future behaviour, both the target and the perpetrator express their acceptance of the proposed solution/s and discuss what can be done to prevent a recurrence.
- The situation is then monitored by school staff, and further intervention occurs if the situation does not improve.
- Parents/guardians are informed by the sending home of the 'Think Sheet' so all parties are aware of the situation, the resolution and may monitor accordingly.
- Digital records are held on WPPS's Compass platform and revisited as required.