Berry Street Education Model

Berry St Education Model   

We are in the process (over years of 2024 and 2025) of  implementing  the  Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) here at Footscray West Primary School. The BSEM is based on classroom strategies informed by Berry Street's approaches to trauma-informed learning and the science of wellbeing. It has been designed by teachers and education leaders for use by all school staff. 

This is part of our whole school vision and approach to Student Wellbeing moving forward. This education model will help us to help our students by 

• understanding the impacts of trauma on child development and the ability to learn
• creating a supportive and trauma-informed positive education classroom
• bolstering student-teacher relationships
• instilling strengths-based practices across the school.

Teachers and all staff here at Footscray West are using the strategies we are learning, to work with our students by creating safe learning classrooms with routines and expectations that are consistent every day. We are implementing  some of the language and strategies used in BSEM, including the use of brainbreaks and positive routines each day. In classrooms each year we develop Ready to Learn Plans to help with self regulation for our students as learners and members of our school community. 

Building blocks to achieve academic and personal growth

The five domains of the Berry Street Education Model correspond with child-development capacities that each student must grow in order to be ‘ready to learn’. When considering how to best meet the needs of students, we focus on building self-regulatory ability, relational capacity and then nurture wellbeing and willingness to engage in learning.

Body

Increasing students’ capacity for physical and emotional regulation of the stress response, de-escalation and focus.

Relationship

Nurturing on-task learning through relational classroom management strategies.

Stamina

Creating a culture of academic persistence by nurturing resilience, emotional intelligence and a growth mindset.

Engagement

Motivating students with strategies that increase their willingness to learn.

Character

Harnessing a values and character strengths approach for learning and future pathways.