We are a secondary school close to the city centre with approximately 1200 students.

Where It Began... We wanted to ensure that our school provided students with support structures to ensure that they upheld our school culture.

Getting Started... The heart of the school culture is a focus on respect, celebration and affirmation of success, tolerance of diversity and positiveness. Teachers work collaboratively to translate these beliefs into practice. We wanted to ensure that positive relationships were formed between teacher-student and student-student.

How We Went About It... Our school is organised into two sub-schools, Junior and Senior, each lead by a sub-school head. We have employed pastoral team leaders rather than year level coordinators.

We have put in place teacher support structures for year 12 students. Each year 12 student chooses a teacher mentor (4 or 5 per teacher). They sometimes have lunch together out of the school.

We have put in place peer support system in which year 9 students are trained as peer supporters. Sixteen year 8 students meet each week to learn counselling skills for a peer resource program to support others. Year 9 students also counsel students with problems. They are trained to recognise signs of loneliness and depression and help students with friendships skills.

The school behaviour management plan is based on the development of positive peer-relationships, pro-social values such as respect and tolerance, vigilance and swift intervention.

Students in some year levels hear visiting speakers with an anti-bullying message and anti-bullying messages are in the diary and delivered through the health program.

What We Are Learning... Students and parents see the leadership team and staff as approachable and very devoted to the school and students. Students see their teachers and the principal as positive and approachable and they feel that the staff know them personally.

Students perceive the culture of the school to be one of respect and tolerance in which everyone fits in and it is easy to make friends.

What's Next... We will continue to focus on maintaining the commitment and improving the range of skills and support options available to all groups in the school. For the future, we know that the level of positive relationships already reached will enable everyone to feel - and be - included and students can focus on learning and achieving their personal best.