Thriving in Year Three

What a wonderful time we had during our Year 3 Camp Day! 

After starting our morning together in prayer, the children threw themselves into every activity. From building billy carts and engineering animal shelters to making camp bracelets, hunting for clues on the camp-themed scavenger hunt and sharing pizza, it was a joy to watch them connect and support each other.

While the day was full of fun, it was also a great stepping stone towards greater independence. In Year 3, extending our time at school gives the children a gentle taste of being away from home routines in a safe, familiar environment. This links directly with our focus on personal and social capabilities, where we guide students to manage their own belongings, navigate changing into casual clothes independently and build the stamina needed for longer days.

To help build your child's confidence for future school camps and time away, there are a few simple things you might like to try at home:

• Let them take charge of packing their own bag for sports, school or weekend outings, including checking they have all their items packed away afterwards.
• Try low stakes trial runs away from home, like having dinner at a friend's house or having a sleepover with grandparents.
• Normalise any nervous feelings about being away from parents by reassuring them that it is completely okay to feel a mix of excitement and worry, and remind them of God's loving presence wherever they go.
• When small hiccups happen, pause for a moment before jumping in to help, giving them the chance to problem solve on their own first.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support and partnership as we help our Year 3s grow in confidence and self-reliance.