Deputy Principal's Message

PBL - Resilience: I ask for help and don't give up

In this week and next week, our school-wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) focus will be the value of Resilience, with the expected behaviour: 'I ask for help and don’t give up'. 

Resilience is an important skill that supports students both in their learning and in their relationships with others. At school, students regularly encounter challenges as they learn new skills in areas such as Reading and Mathematics. When children show resilience, they: 

• keep trying even when something feels difficult
• ask questions when they are unsure

• seek help from their teacher or classmates when they need it. 

   

This mindset helps students to build confidence and develop the persistence needed to grow as learners. Resilience is also important outside of the classroom. In the playground, students may need perseverance when learning the rules of a new game, resolving a disagreement, or practising a new skill. By encouraging students to ask for help and keep trying, we are helping them develop the confidence to approach challenges positively rather than giving up when something feels hard.

Another important idea connected to resilience is developing a growth mindset. This means helping students understand that learning takes time, practice and effort. Sometimes children may say, “I can’t do it.” At school we encourage them to add one powerful word - “yet.” Saying “I can’t do it… yet” reminds students that learning is a process and that skills in reading, writing, mathematics or sport improve with practice. When students believe they can get better through effort, they are more willing to try again, learn from mistakes and keep working towards success. 

Families can play an important role in supporting resilience at home. Parents can encourage their children to keep trying when tasks are challenging, praise effort rather than just success, and model positive language such as “Let’s try another way” or “What could we do next?” Allowing children to work through manageable challenges, while reminding them that it is okay to ask for help, helps them develop independence, persistence and confidence. Together, by reinforcing these messages at school and at home, we can help our students build the resilience they need to succeed in learning and in life.