Teachers prioritise building relationships with their students. They make authentic efforts to get to know their students and their needs. Positive teacher-student relationships play an important role in student wellbeing. They form a foundation for effective teaching and learning.

Key elements:

• Show genuine care and respect to students.

• Help students solve problems and take time to help them learn.

• Provide students with choice, empowerment and responsibility.

Teachers can foster positive relationships by promoting acceptance and respect in their classrooms. They provide opportunities for students to connect with peers and for collaborative learning.

Key elements:

• Provide a safe space for students to develop connections with their peers.

• Understand differences among students and how that may affect their interactions.

• Model and explicitly teach social and emotional skills.

Teachers establish clear and consistent classroom expectations and consequences. These are clearly communicated to students and align with the school-wide approach. They are developed through a shared, ongoing process with students. Teachers model, expect and reinforce respectful behaviour. Classroom expectations are complementary to reasonable adjustments.

Key elements:

• Discuss expectations with students and seek their input.

• Create a sense of order and predictability in a classroom.

• Use proportionate and non-punitive responses when expectations are not met.

Teachers communicate and act in ways that promote acceptance. They celebrate the diversity of students and their families. Teachers develop students' capacity to respect and include others. Teachers support all students to learn and thrive in their classrooms. They are aware of, and reflect on, their own cultures and biases. They do not attempt to minimise or dismiss inequalities and inequities.

Key elements:

• Ensure students feel valued, accepted, safe and comfortable in the classroom.

• Learn from students about their lived experience and promote an understanding of multiple and diverse perspectives.

• Respond swiftly and effectively to language and behaviour that is discriminatory, offensive or demeaning to others.

Teachers hold high expectations for all students and help students to develop a sense of self-efficacy. They know that the way students view their abilities, achievements and self in the classroom influences their wellbeing as well as their learning. Teachers foster self-efficacy by encouraging students to persist and providing feedback. They provide opportunities for students to experience success.

Key elements:

• Encourage students to try their best and celebrate all achievements.

• Set work and goals aligned with student abilities and consider each student's progress compared to their competencies.

• Hold high expectations for all students.

Teachers engage students and encourage high attendance. They provide meaningful experiences and tailor tasks to student interest and capability. Teachers have a good understanding of their students' needs and interests. They highlight the relevance of topics and skills to students.

Key elements:

• Tailor tasks to student interests.

• Provide meaningful and challenging ways for students to complete classwork and assessments.

• Ensure there are opportunities for students to work in pairs or groups and to contribute to each other's learning.

Teachers help students to identify and use positive coping strategies. This includes self-regulation and help seeking. They notice changes in a student and inquire sensitively. They facilitate referrals for students to their school's wellbeing team, if needed.

Key elements:

• Support students to identify personal emotional responses.

• Promote positive coping strategies.

• Notice changes in student demeanour or behaviour and refer for more support if necessary.