Connect Crew

It’s been an incredibly rewarding and eventful term in Connect, with so much growth and progress to celebrate. Throughout the term, we have seen students take meaningful steps forward, not only in building connections with one another, but also in developing friendships, strengthening communication skills, and growing in confidence within the group setting.

A real highlight has been watching students step outside of their comfort zones, engage with new peers, and begin to form genuine relationships. These social connections are at the heart of the Connect program, and it has been fantastic to see them flourish. Alongside this, students have been actively developing important life skills such as turn-taking, active listening, emotional expression, and problem-solving in social situations.

We wrapped up the term by completing our cooking sessions, which have been a consistent favourite. These sessions have provided hands-on opportunities for teamwork, following instructions, and independence, all while having fun in a supportive environment. It has been wonderful to see students take pride in what they have created and share these experiences with their peers.

In addition to our practical activities, students also engaged in self-reflection, thinking about the goals they set at the beginning of the term. Together, we explored questions such as: Have we achieved our goals? If not, what progress have we made? This reflective process has been valuable in helping students recognise their own growth, no matter how big or small, and to understand that progress looks different for everyone.

What stands out most is that every student has made significant progress in their own way during Term 1. Whether it has been initiating a conversation, managing emotions more effectively, or simply feeling more comfortable in the group, these achievements are worth celebrating.

We are incredibly proud of all students and the effort they have put in this term. We look forward to continuing this journey in Term 2, building on these foundations, and supporting students to further develop their skills, confidence, and connections.

Templeton Tennis Club and Wantirna College Connect Crew Award!

Congratulations to Tim Van Essen! On behalf of the Templeton Tennis Club and Wantirna College Connect Crew, we are thrilled to offer Tim a term of free tennis lessons in recognition of his outstanding efforts this term.

Tim has done an exceptional job transitioning from primary school to high school, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a positive attitude throughout. He has made significant strides in building connections with his peers and continues to grow in confidence within social settings. In the classroom, Tim has shown a strong commitment to his learning, consistently putting in the effort to achieve his best.

This opportunity is a reflection of Tim’s hard work and the progress he has made across all areas of school life. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and look forward to hearing all about his experiences and successes on the tennis court. Well done, Tim, keep up the fantastic work!

Lisa Jones

Connect Crew