From the Principal's Desk

Dear Lord,

Sometimes it’s hard to keep trying.

It’s hard when things are tough or when everything seems to be going wrong.

Please help us never to give up but always to persevere.

Please help us to be people who encourage others to keep trying as we all aim for different goals in life.

Thank you that you never give up on us. Amen.

Resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ from problems and setbacks.

What are the skills that develop resilience and wellbeing?

It’s important for children to learn the personal and social skills that will help them to become more resilient and cope with problems and difficult situations that may come their way. Here are some of the skills to practise:

Self-management skills

• Be able to manage strong feelings such as fear and anger.
• Manage impulses that may present a risk to their  safety and wellbeing.
• Be able to make plans, be organised, self disciplined and courageous to achieve goals.
• Be able to predict problems and solve problems.
• Have age-appropriate levels of independence.
• Be able to focus on the positive things in negative situations.
• Use thinking that is grounded in fact and reality.
• Find something funny in a setback to help keep things in perspective. 

Self-awareness skills

• Be able to identify their strengths and challenges
• Be able to know what might influence their successes and mistakes.
• Be able to see that the way they think about mistakes and negative situations can affect how they feel and behave. 
• Be able to self-reflect on their behaviour and decisions.
• Be able to accept that setbacks and problems are a normal part of everyday life and know that these situations often don’t last and will improve with time or effort.

Social management skills

• Have the skills to make and keep friends.
• Be able to sort out conflict and cooperate with friends and peers. 
• Be able to make decisions based on safety and respect for self and others. 
• Be able to ask for help when required.

Social awareness skills 

• Be able to read, predict and respond empathically to others’ feelings and needs.
• Appreciate others’ points of view. 
• Not exclude others because of their differences.
• Know where to go to ask for help at home, at school and in the community.
• Believe that relationships matter.

(Student Wellbeing Hub)

Resilience is one of the three RESKEYS (Respect, Responsibility, Resilience) that we developed for our school Positive Behaviour for Learning Matrix. Suggested resilient behaviours for all areas of the school are listed on the Matrix and are taught and referred to at all times: 

In learning spaces- Be persistent; Learn from mistakes

Outdoor spaces- Be a good sport; Be a problem solver

Gathering spaces- Participate in a positive way

Cyberspace / Digital space- Accept constructive feedback positively

Passageways and walkways- Share and take turns lining up; Solve issues and speak to your teacher if you need to

In the community- Bounce back when things do not go to plan; Stay calm

All areas of the school- Use appropriate language; Look after all personal and school property; Care for our environment

Many of the skills and behaviours for resilience must be taught and reinforced. Children require adult assistance and are not expected to develop these independently without the support of parents and teachers. Being resilient does not mean, don't ask for help. It is important that children speak to adults when they need help with a relationship or situation that they are finding difficult. At school, students are encouraged to talk to their teacher to assist with problem-solving and build positive relationships.

Jane Dunstone

PRINCIPAL