Wellbeing News

SEL Grade 3-6 

For the last Senior week in SEL, students took part in our exciting “River Crossing Challenge”  a hands-on teamwork activity that had students completely engaged from start to finish! Students were placed into small teams and given the challenge of safely crossing a crocodile-infested river using a limited number of stepping stones. To make the challenge even more difficult, each group also had an “injured” teammate who needed extra support and could not complete the task independently. The task was to get to one side to collect your first aid kit, and food supplies without falling in back at your shelter.

Throughout the activity, students quickly discovered that success relied heavily on communication, patience, teamwork, and resilience. Teams had to carefully plan how they would move across the river, transport their stepping stones, and ensure every member of the group was included and supported. Along the way, students faced a range of setbacks and surprise challenges including stepping stones “floating away,” team members needing to restart after touching the water, and changing rules that required groups to rethink and adapt their original plans.

The challenge encouraged students to practise important social and emotional learning skills in a fun and active way. Students learnt how to stay calm when things did not go to plan, how to respectfully listen to the ideas of others, and how to problem-solve together under pressure. Many groups experienced frustration when plans failed, however it was fantastic to see students demonstrating perseverance by encouraging one another, adjusting their strategies, and trying again. The biggest challenge was to not yell at others if they accidentally made a mistake that effected the whole group (like in team sport settings) What do we do if a player on your team makes a mistake that costs the other team a winning goal ? 

One of the most valuable aspects of the task was seeing students naturally step into leadership roles, support classmates who were feeling overwhelmed, and celebrate small successes as a team. The activity created many meaningful conversations around resilience, inclusion, empathy, and the importance of never leaving a teammate behind.

It was wonderful to see so much laughter, teamwork, creativity, and determination throughout the challenge, with students leaving the session proud of what they had achieved together. 

Grade 1/2 SEL 

Our Grade 1/2 students had an interesting SEL session this week during our “Tower Trouble: Wheel of Fate” challenge.

 Working in small teams, students were tasked with building the tallest possible tower using popsicle sticks and simple building materials. While this may have sounded easy at first, there was a twist throughout the challenge, team captains had to spin our giant “Wheel of Fate,” which introduced a range of funny, tricky, and unexpected rules that either helped their team or created setbacks they needed to overcome together.

Some teams received lucky bonuses such as extra building materials or additional building time, while others had to face challenges including removing pieces from their tower, building with one hand, swapping team positions, or surviving “earthquakes” and “wind storms” that caused their towers to wobble or collapse. The spinning wheel 100% tested our resillience !!

Throughout the activity, students learnt that things do not always go to plan the first time and that mistakes and setbacks are a normal part of learning. Students were encouraged to stay calm, communicate respectfully, listen to each other’s ideas, and continue trying even when their towers fell down or plans needed to change. It was wonderful to see students encouraging one another, celebrating teamwork, and showing perseverance when faced with challenges.

It was fantastic to see so much creativity, determination, and positivity displayed throughout the challenge, with many students proudly rebuilding their towers multiple times and cheering each other on along the way.

-Miss Jess :) 

Wellbeing and Mental Health Tips for Students

❤️ “Kind hearts make happy classrooms.”

At school, we care deeply about every child feeling safe, happy, and ready to learn. Building strong wellbeing habits helps children manage emotions, build friendships, and feel confident both in and out of the classroom.

Here are some simple tips we encourage students to practise each day:

1. Talk about your feelings It’s okay to have big feelings. Encourage children to use words like “I feel worried,” “I feel excited,” or “I need help.” Sharing feelings with a trusted adult or friend can make a big difference.

2. Take breaks and breathe When things feel overwhelming, a short break can help. Simple breathing strategies like slow breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth can help calm the body and mind.

3. Stay active Movement is a great mood booster. Whether it’s playing outside, sports, dancing, or walking the dog, staying active supports both physical and mental wellbeing.

4. Be kind to yourself and others Mistakes are part of learning. Encourage children to speak to themselves kindly and support their peers with kind words and actions.

5. Get enough sleep and eat wellRest and good nutrition help children feel more focused, energised, and ready for the day ahead.

6. Ask for help when needed No one has to manage everything alone. Teachers, learning support staff, and family members are always here to help.

Together, we can continue to build a caring school community where every child feels supported and valued.

😊 “Start fresh, try again, keep smiling.”

Miss Paglianiti 😊