My Trust Network wellbeing lesson plan
My Trust Network is a ready-to-teach primary wellbeing lesson for Years 3 and 4 that helps Australian teachers introduce the idea of a trusted circle of support. Students learn to identify the people they can turn to at school, at home and in their community, and practise recognising the qualities that make someone trustworthy. The lesson gives teachers a structured way to build early help-seeking skills alongside everyday friendship and respect skills, without needing to respond to a specific incident first.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
My Trust Network
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce trusted relationships and help-seeking using simple, age-appropriate language.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Identifying trusted people and building a personal circle of support
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise the people in their life who can be trusted for support, such as family members, teachers and friends
recognise the qualities that make someone trustworthy, such as listening, keeping them safe and treating them with respect
recognise that everyone's circle of support can look different
Understand
understand why having more than one trusted person can help them feel supported
understand that respect and trust go together in healthy friendships
Practise
practise naming people in their own circle of support
practise using respectful language when talking with friends
practise identifying who to approach when they need help or feel unsure
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for Year 3 and 4 students who are building early skills in friendship, respect and identifying trusted people in their lives.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
friendship and respectful relationships units
protective behaviours and help-seeking programs
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing help-seeking skills Use when students are learning who they can turn to for support at school and at home.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing respect, kindness and inclusion within friendship groups.
Supporting friendship skills Use when students need structured practise identifying the qualities of trustworthy friends.
Preparing for transition Use when students are moving into new classes, year levels or friendship groups and need to identify their support networks.
Reinforcing respectful relationships units Use when extending existing wellbeing or PDHPE learning about respect and healthy relationships.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about trust, respect and support.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students benefit from knowing, in clear and simple terms, who they can turn to when they need support, and from understanding what a trustworthy relationship looks like. Building a personal circle of support is not only useful in difficult moments. It also strengthens everyday friendships, helping students recognise respect, fairness and care in the relationships around them. This lesson supports a positive classroom culture by helping students see that seeking support is a normal and responsible choice, not a last resort.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Self-awareness Students reflect on the people they already trust and rely on.
Social awareness Students notice qualities that make relationships respectful and safe.
Relationship skills Students practise identifying and describing trusted connections.
Help-seeking Students learn who to approach when they need support or feel unsure.
Respect and inclusion Students consider how shared respect strengthens friendships.
Protective behaviours Students build early language for recognising safe, trusted relationships.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share other people's personal stories
Frame discussion around general examples rather than personal disclosures
Identify the trusted adults students can speak to at school
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
During delivery
Use general examples such as a family member, teacher, friend or community member
Give students time to name people in their own circle of support without pressure to share personal details
Reinforce that a circle of support can look different for everyone
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or partner reflection depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking for help is a responsible and normal choice
Keep discussion focused on respectful relationships rather than personal disclosures
Follow your school's child safety procedures if concerns arise
Adaptation options
Use partner or small group reflection for confident classes
Use drawing or individual reflection for quieter students
Spend more time identifying trusted adults if students need extra support
