Student Wellbeing
HOUSE TEAM SPIRIT AT ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL
Incorporating House Team groupings across schools has been commonplace for decades, but why do we do it? House Team activities that involve a range of competitive and non-competitive events in cross age groupings provide multiple opportunities to engage and excite the entire student community, whilst forging strong connections to their House system and school. Powerful attachments to their House Team can help new friendships to blossom and flourish, through shared involvement and common interests, such as being in the same house team. Research shows that "these bonds are fundamental elements in House, contributing toward the emergence of a supportive, collaborative and strongly united team of patriotic students" (Founders of House Team Spirit, Melbourne, Karen & Petrina) Furthermore, research into House Team Systems in schools have found that behavioural issues are reduced and bullying rates have significantly decreased, while student academic achievement also improved (Daniel Green, Educational Leadership, v63 n7 p64-67 Apr 2006).
BUNURONG Year 6 Leaders:
Finn Corbin
Tahlia Matilda
Taki Raine
Charlotte
MANNIX Year 6 Leaders:
Shataya
Sunny
Billie
Eric
Harry
McAULEY Year 6 Leaders:
Kye
Xavier
Anneke
Lachy W
Ella
MAZENOD Year 6 Leaders:
Sebastian
Lachie
Jack
Joe
Last week, on St Joseph's Day, these wonderful leaders capably led the students to learn more about St Joseph's House Teams and the House Team namesakes of :
In their cross-age Prep-6 House Team groupings, these Year 6 Leaders presented a slideshow designed by the Year 6 students, explaining WHO their House Team was named after and WHY it is important to St Joseph's. They also designed activities to reinforce this learning and to help them examine the qualities this namesake person had, so that they may strive to adopt some of these in the way they conduct themselves at St Joseph's.
Bunurong Leaders led the students in Aboriginal art, decorating boomerangs and then played indigenous outdoor games of our local indigenous people.
Mannix Leaders led their Mannix House members through a trivia quiz and a wordsearch.
McAuley Leaders taught the students about Catherine McAuley and the importance of shining our lights for all to see! They made paper lanterns!
Mazenod Leaders led the students in their learning about Eugene de Mazenod and made shelters 'for the abandoned'.
For students within their House team during their time at St Joseph's, various house team activities aim to :
- build House and school pride
- increase House connection
- produce a cohesive, loyal school community
- it will interweave progressively through each student's time at school and provide a stable group to which they belong
- it can stimulate student passions and interests
- develop their independence
- provide consistent guidance and encouragement
Ultimately, HOUSE TEAMS instil a true sense of belonging for students, whilst contributing toward treasured memories of their primary school years.
We look forward to our next House Team Event at next term's School Cross Country (Week 2).
Warm Regards,
Jenny Todd
(Student Wellbeing Leader)