Footscray West values learning within a supportive environment.

• The child-centred curriculum is based on the principles of developmental learning and offers a comprehensive education in an atmosphere of co-operation and enquiry.
• The participation of families in school life is highly regarded. Working together creates a successful and caring community in which children can learn and grow.
• Footscray West Primary has a ZERO tolerance Policy on bullying.

At Footscray West primary School we have pride in:

• creating a positive school culture that is fair and respectful
• building a safe and supportive school environment
• expecting positive, supportive and respectful relationships that value diversity
• promoting pro-social values and behaviours
• encouraging student participation and student voice
• proactively engaging with parents/carers
• implementing preventative and early intervention approaches
• responding to individual students
• acknowledging the achievements of students, parents, and staff

Our wellbeing team consists of the Assistant Principal, Leading Teachers, our school based Primary Welfare Officer and the department’s psychologist. We work in collaboration with class teachers and parents.

We engage with a diverse range of organisations that support our students, staff and parents. eg ( children’s hospital, Noahs Ark, private psychologists, social workers) . Our efforts are focused on the development of whole school programs such as Tribes, Student attendance, Language support, and individual student support such as social skills groups, individual counselling and program for students with disabilities. Footscray West Primary School is a leader in the TRIBES process. Tribes, provides the school community with a set of agreements that forms the basis of our classroom rules, teacher/student behaviour, and general interactions. Tribes, assists children in developing the resiliency needed to be successful in a rapidly changing world.

The school employs a Primary Welfare Officer to support student engagement, attendance, academic achievement, and acquisition of life skills. The Primary Welfare Officer works with children, teachers, and parents to promote resilience and engagement. The Primary Welfare Officer can be contacted through the office. The departmental psychologist and speech therapist attend the school once a week, this supports the programs within the school and they  work with students on a needs basis. In addition the school employs a speech therapist one day a week to provide additional support to programs and students. The Footscray West Primary School Engagement Policy emphasises that all children have the right to feel safe and secure at school.