Middle Years 

Well done to students on completing their examinations last week. I hope that students feel a sense of pride in their results, and pleased with their accomplishments. It does take some time to learn revision techniques, and there is no doubt that effort is needed in the weeks leading up to the examinations. I asked our students  “what would you do differently to prepare for the end of year examinations?”

Last week I went to the 2019 Positive Schools Conference, and I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing presentations on numerous topics. Dan Haesler spoke about emotional intelligence and the importance of it in our lives. Dan said we need to have emotional awareness and an accurate self-assessment to be high functioning adults. He said we all need to have self-control, be adaptable, and be kind and caring in our way we treat others.

John Hendrey spoke about the need to develop strong relationships through kindness and forgiveness. He said there are five main elements that we need to develop in psychologically safe relationships.

1. Trust, including showing vulnerability. Students need to trust their teachers and teachers need to trust students.
2. Forgiveness - give the person a break, and give yourself a break.
3. Integrity - intending to do the right all the time.
4. Hope - can I do this? Hope is important.
5. Compassion and empathy - action through caring, and asking the question “can I help?”.

These essential elements are needed in our school culture at all times. One question I reflected on was, “do our students come to class to do their best?”  I would like to think the answer is yes, they do come to give their best.

Julia Winter Cooke