The health, wellbeing and safety of our students is paramount.

Student Engagement and Wellbeing
The foundation of our positive school culture is the active participation of all members of the school community so they feel valued, safe and secure, are provided with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the school, and have every opportunity to meet their personal and educational potential.

Our school’s Student Engagement and Wellbeing Policy articulates the school community’s shared expectations in the areas of student engagement, student attendance and student behaviour. The policy supports the right of every community member to engage in and promote a safe and inclusive school environment.

Ripponlea's Student Wellbeing Coordinator monitors and reviews current student engagement and wellbeing, and works to implement programs and initiatives, such as Mindfulness practice.  
 
Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.

To create and maintain a child safe organisation, Ripponlea Primary School adheres to the Child Safe Standards, that include:

1. Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangement
2. A child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety
3. A code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children
4. Screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel
5. Processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse
6. Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse
7. Strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.

Student Behaviour and Restorative Practices
We adopt a ‘restorative practice’ philosophy which is about being respectful to and of, every member of our school community, encouraging responsible behaviour and actions, and ensuring that personal pride and dignity is maintained. Restorative practices are intended to move the focus away from a punitive consequence that is based on the establishment of wrong doing. Rather it seeks to value and support those involved, so that they feel empowered to take positive action to address the situation and move forward.

The Restorative Practice philosophy provides a forum that encourages open and respectful dialogue, enabling students to learn how to better manage their social and emotional issues and as a result, free their capacity to learn.

Circle Time
Circle Time at Ripponlea Primary School is embedded into school routines.  The circle format is an ancient form of spiritual, communal and political communication and is found throughout world traditions.  We use a circle when we want to talk about an issue in a way that allows everyone to participate and contribute.

Circle Time sets up a climate of collaboration and trust and is useful for teacher and student discussion and decision-making.