Letter to Family and Friends

Dear Pilgrim Families,

Welcome back to the start of the 2024 academic year! We are thrilled to have each one of our students and families back in the Pilgrim community. As we embark on this new school year, our focus over the first 2 weeks will be on building a positive and inclusive learning community for our entire school community where we can Belong, Explore, Flourish and Serve.

As staff returned to school, we had a series of devotions and considered Isaiah 43. This chapter highlights God's promise of redemption and a fresh start for His people. The chapter underscores the idea of new beginnings, assuring that despite past struggles, God offers renewal, protection, and a hopeful future to those who trust in Him. Our desire is that each child would start the year with this feeling of a fresh and invigorating start to the new school year.

Every home class intentionally focuses on aspects of community during these first two weeks to provide clear expectations and understanding for each child to deepen a positive culture. Staff will explicitly teach and model strategies and processes to create consistency and continuity and share common language. The way this is explained and practised in each class is in an appropriate manner for that year level and cohort of children.

Week 1

Focus 1: Belong

Throughout this week, our focus is on nurturing inclusion for every student. It is our goal that each child experiences a sense of worth, and respect, and comprehends they are an essential part of our school community. We encourage parents to motivate their children to engage with classmates, form new friendships, and actively participate in a range of community-building activities. Your support in emphasising the significance of inclusivity and kindness is highly appreciated during this dedicated week.

Help your child to Belong by:

Sending a family photo for inclusion in your child’s photo frame at school.
Making the most of opportunities to connect with other families, e.g., at school events.
Communicating concerns with staff early.

Focus 2: Explore

During the first week, we also encourage students to explore their interests and passions. Through various activities. our aim is to ignite curiosity and foster a genuine love for learning. We invite families to engage in discussions about their child's interests and help them to consider possible fresh avenues for both personal and academic development during 2024.

Help your child to Explore by:

Trying to arrive at school in time for an 8.45am start to the day whenever possible and communicating with staff when it is not possible.
Engaging with your child’s work posts on Seesaw.
Encouraging manners and politeness with others in your home and modelling respectful behaviour for your children.
Ensuring your child/ren meets school requirements when at school and under your supervision (e.g. observing out of bounds areas, not climbing walls or trees, looking after our plants by being careful not to step on them, walking on the pavers, etc.).

Week 2

Focus 3: Flourish

In our second week of the year, our focus shifts towards supporting each student's holistic development. We want to create an environment where every child can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Your involvement and encouragement are crucial in helping your child flourish both inside and outside the classroom.

Students will investigate developing resilience – ‘bouncing back’ and being persistent.

We introduce the idea of a growth mindset and how to identify, understand and manage our emotions. This is integrated and revisited throughout the year as children participate in particular programs to practise and grow in these areas.

Help your child to Flourish by:

Talking with your child about their emotions and ways they could regulate their emotions.
Encouraging a growth mindset, an attitude of gratitude and resilience in the way you speak and help your child to work through difficulties.

Focus 4: Serve

Our focus then turns towards highlighting the significance of community service and giving back. We firmly believe that cultivating a sense of responsibility and empathy is crucial for our students. Please encourage your children to partake in acts of kindness and service, both within the school community and beyond. By working together, we can nurture individuals who are not only compassionate but also responsible.

We would love you to partner with us as we start the year with these two themed weeks. Your engagement is pivotal in the success of our community-building endeavours. Let's collaborate to create an environment where each student experiences a profound sense of belonging, explores their potential, thrives in all aspects of life, and learns the invaluable lesson of serving others.

Help your child to Serve by:

Making connections with other children and families.
Modelling helping out or volunteering when you are able.

Our team looks forward to working with you. Please contact our staff if there is any way we can support or assist in working with you.

Blessings,

Andrew Edmondson

Principal