From the Principal  

Balanced Rewards and Praise

One of my favourite things each week is to attend Junior School assembly. An important part of each week’s gathering is the awarding of Merit Certificates, acknowledging special achievements during the preceding week. How proudly do the students stand with the certificates. I know that many fridges are adorned with these awards. It is also true that many teenagers, whilst somewhat self-conscious, still enjoy personal recognition and acknowledgement, (even if they don’t admit it.) This all aligns with Calrossy Strategic goals of Learning in Partnership (promoting confidence and praising effort) and Growing Our People (boosting confidence of learners.)

Learners of all ages love to be recognised for growth, achievement, improvement and effort. It is nice to be appreciated and rewarded appropriately at all ages of school. Our all-conquering Equestrian team didn’t compete only to win but how good was it to be recognised as the top school at the recent Coona Expo for the 11th time running. 

Interestingly some educational commentators ask if praise might have a negative effect at times, the opposite of what is intended. In a recent article Shannon Meyerkort (1) asked if after decades of advice to use praise to grow children’s self-esteem, have we gone too far? It is generally true that praise can be used to bolster self-esteem by validating behaviour and boosting confidence. Teachers (and parents) are wise to praise the behaviour not the person and focus on the effort not the outcome. It is also recommended that adults are balanced in praise and should avoid exaggeration.

However, there remain suggestions that we’re doing it wrong, and too much praise can be just as damaging as too little for a generation of children where everyone seems to expect a prize in pass-the-parcel or a participation award.

So what might be some of the dangers of giving too much praise?

The normal becomes exceptional.  If over-generous in receiving praise, children can begin to think that their normal behaviour is actually exceptional. It can give children a sense of entitlement and expectation of praise when performing the most basic of tasks.

Loss of intrinsic motivation.  Children may begin to depend on the external validation, rather than the sense of intrinsic motivation they might have had for the task in the first place.

When praise becomes the reward and the praise is stopped, the child can lose interest in the task.  It can possibly lead them to rely on the praise to feel good rather than seeking the natural enjoyment from the activity.

Pressure to please. When children are over-praised they can begin to depend on it for motivation, seeking out praise from teachers and parents in a constant search for approval, asking ‘Did I do good’, ‘did you see that?’

The team member no one wants.  If children are taught that success goes hand in hand with praise, we risk a generation of workers who need admiration to complete their job – not the type of people we want out there in the workforce.

How much is enough? Praise can be considered like a medicine. Too little and it doesn’t have any effect, too much and there are real dangers of being poisoned.

I am not advocating against rewards and recognition at all. The ‘right’ amount of praise should be age appropriate and vary from child to child and situation to situation. Calrossy will not stop encouraging children by acknowledging the effort they make, nor should parents and teachers be expected to maintain a stony silence when great breakthroughs are made. While the dangers of excessive praise are real, what is worse is abuse and neglect. 

We should celebrate the successes of our children and teenagers, but keep things in perspective, helping them to develop confidence and joy in the task, moving from extrinsic rewards to more extrinsic recognition as they grow and mature. Keep putting those merit certificates on the fridge and promoting the confidence, taking some of these hints as the best way to develop confidence, effort and growth, all which are at the heart of school and life success. May we continue to encourage our students to Learn in Partnership and Grow in confidence, applying consistent effort, which long-term produces success.

“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” 1 Peter 2: 5 - 9

1. School News 6 June 2024 - https://www.school-news.com.au/

Congratulations on Calrossy Success

Our 35 strong member Equestrian Team competed last weekend in the North-West Equestrian Expo at Coonabarabran. Our staff leaders Mr Nick Fahey and Mrs Kathy de Jong were supported by a committed team of parent supporters who assisted with catering, logistics and managing our dedicated team of riders, each representing Calrossy with pride. Mr Fahey commented that our team was a young one, but demonstrated outstanding senior leadership from our Year 12s and excellent participation right through the age groups, including enthusiastic and talented Year 7s.

We were delighted to retain the Poole Family Trophy for the Most Successful School for the 11th consecutive year, with our riders also achieving a large number of individual awards, which are reported elsewhere. Special mention to Pippa Cullen who achieved 1st in the Overall Point Score Working Horse competition. The win was a team effort and I am grateful to staff and parents for their dedicated support.  

Late News

Congratulations to the Calrossy Cattle Team for stunning results at the Dubbo Bull Sales this weekend. The school team was successful in not only winning the Junior Champion Bull award but also the Grand Champion Bull, with Calrossy Tyrone, led by Madison Bailey. This second award is a first for Calrossy and quite momentous. On behalf of our community I congratulate our team and wish them every success in the sales aspect of the event tomorrow.

David Smith

Principal