POPS Paper

Student Wellbeing

Respecting others

Focus on Our School Value: Respect

Over the coming week, students will be exploring the value of Respect in their Wellbeing lessons.

At our school, Respect means treating everyone and everything with care. It’s about following the golden rule: treating others the way you would like to be treated.

Students will learn that respect can be shown in many ways, through the way we speak, our actions, and how we take care of our own belongings and those of others. Just as importantly, they’ll reflect on the importance of self-respect.

Respecting others shows that we care. Simple acts of kindness can go a long way in creating a supportive and positive school environment, one where everyone feels safe, included and valued.

We’re also encouraging students to celebrate what makes us all unique. Differences in families, backgrounds and experiences help make our school an interesting and vibrant place to learn and grow.

As part of these lessons, students will explore:

  • Understanding their own feelings and the feelings of others
  • Being a good friend
  • Showing respect at home
  • Knowing where to get help when things go wrong

Family Fun with a Purpose: Practising Respect at Home

As we are focusing on the character strength of Respect, we’re inviting families to take part in some simple and meaningful activities at home! Here are two “PurposeFul Pursuits” you can try together to help your child build an understanding of Respect in fun and engaging ways.

  1. Create a Respect Reminder- As a family, come up with a non-verbal cue to gently remind one another to show Respect. It could be a special hand signal, a tap on the shoulder, or even a shared look. This simple gesture can help prompt respectful behaviour in a light and positive way.
  2. Practice Being Present- Respect means seeing value in people and things, and treating them with care. One way to do this is by unplugging from devices and spending quality time together. Choose a time each day this week to turn off screens and focus on being fully present as a family. Afterwards, take a moment to reflect on how it felt. You may even decide to make it a regular part of your routine!

We encourage you to talk with your child about what they’re learning and how they can show respect at school and at home. Together, we can help build a culture of kindness and care.

Celebrating National Families Week – 12–18 May 2025

This week is National Families Week, a time to recognise the vital role families play in shaping and supporting our children and communities. It’s an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, connect with extended family and friends, and enjoy activities that strengthen family bonds.

Held each year to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May, this week reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes — and that each one is important.

The 2025 theme, “Lending a hand to thrive: supporting each other,” highlights the power of care, connection and resilience in family life. It encourages us all to reflect on how we support one another and celebrate the unique strengths within every family.

We invite you to take this time to:

  • Celebrate with your family in your own special way
  • Reflect on the similarities and differences between families
  • Talk with your child about the importance of care, respect and support at home and in the community

Let’s come together to appreciate the love, support, and learning that families provide every day.