Safe, Supported and Ready to Learn - Berry Street Education at Wandin Yallock
Why Berry Street Matters at Wandin Yallock
At Wandin Yallock we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. The Berry Street Education Model helps us turn that belief into everyday practice. BSEM is a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach designed to meet the diverse social, emotional, and learning needs of all students.
All our staff have completed Berry Street training. Each teacher and support staff member brings the same understanding, empathy, and practical strategies to every classroom. Berry Street practices are embedded into our teaching, routines, and the ways we support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
How It Looks in Real Life
Circle Time and Community Connection
Many classes begin the day with Circle Time. During this time students and teachers come together to connect, share thoughts, check in on feelings, and set a positive tone for learning. Circle Time helps build belonging, trust, and emotional safety. It supports students to regulate emotions, build social skills, and feel ready for the day’s learning.
Circle Time also teaches students to treat each other with kindness, empathy, and respect. Every child feels heard, valued, and accepted.
Ready-to-Learn Plans and Emotional Support
For students who may need extra support, we use Ready-to-Learn Plans. These plans give children strategies they can use when they are feeling overwhelmed, upset, or dysregulated. These strategies may include calming techniques, short breaks, or one-on-one check-ins. Ready-to-Learn Plans help students manage their emotions and return to learning with confidence.
Consistency, Trust and School-Wide Wellbeing
Because all staff are trained in Berry Street practices, we share common language, values, and approaches. All staff understand the importance of calm, caring, and predictable routines, and know how to respond sensitively and consistently when children struggle. This shared approach builds strong relationships, creates stability, and makes our school a safe and welcoming place for learning.
Berry Street practices support staff as well as students. By providing everyone with the tools to respond to behaviour and emotional needs, it helps foster a positive school culture where wellbeing, respect, safety, and learning go hand in hand.
What This Means for Your Child
A calm and caring classroom where students feel emotionally safe and supported
A shared language of respect, empathy, and kindness that helps every child feel they belong
Tools for children to manage their emotions and behaviour so they can stay engaged in learning
A school community where academic learning and social-emotional wellbeing are valued equally
Caring and trauma-aware teachers and staff who understand and respond to each child’s needs
At Wandin Yallock, our commitment to Berry Street is more than a policy. It is a promise to walk alongside every child, honour their strengths, and give them the best chance to thrive, learn, belong, and grow.
You can find examples of our positive primers displayed below in the gallery. We encourage parents to explore them and try using some with their own child to support confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset.
