In this masterclass, University of Melbourne Associate Professor Tom Brunzell will offer strategies from his original research to help school leaders strengthen behavioural support systems and their schools' strategic planning towards their own trauma-aware school journeys. Drawing on over a decade of research and real-world examples from diverse school environments, Tom will demonstrate how to activate whole‑school structures that meet students across all levels of need—from universal Tier 1 supports to targeted and intensive Tier 3 interventions to address complex student behaviours.

Participants will examine three strategic priority areas essential for sustaining both wellbeing and academic growth:
1. Shifting staff mindsets and gaining staff buy in from reactive crisis management to proactive, relationally safe practice;
2. Building consistent schoolwide systems that reduce decision‑fatigue, increase clarity, and ensure fair and restorative responses to behaviour;
3. Strengthening student capacity to meet higher expectations through strengths-based, trauma-informed routines and self-regulation strategies.

Leaders will leave with practical tools to help gain staff buy in, reduce staff burnout, uphold academic challenge, and create learning environments where students—and staff—can thrive.