Wellbeing @ WHPS

School Values 

At Weeden Heights Primary School we value:

Respect

Personal Excellence

Curiosity and Creativity

Collaboration

In our school community these values are demonstrated when:

• Everyone in the school community displays a regard for themselves, others and the environment
• Every student is supported and encouraged to reach their full potential through a stimulating and challenging curriculum
• Students develop a passion for learning through innovative, imaginative and resourceful ideas, acknowledging there are many ways to do something well
• Individuals and teams (students, staff, parents and the wider community) work positively together with a common purpose, building connectedness and a sense of belonging

This term we are focusing on Personal Excellence  and our 'Student of the Week' awards will be for students demonstrating this value. 

Ask you child:

*  What does Personal Excellence mean to them?  

*  What are some ways that they can demonstrate personal excellence?

*  Why is every ones personal excellence different? 

*  How can you tell if you are displaying personal excellence? 

Resilience: The Grit to keep on trying! 

Grit

“Grit.” The word brings to mind some vague recollection of the actor John Wayne or the memory of a breezy day at the beach where sand gets in your hair, shoes, and even your mouth. 

Yet recently the word has entered the lexicon as something desirable for children to possess, perhaps because it is tied to a character trait called resilience.

Resilience is defined by parenting experts as:

or

the ability to bounce back from negative events

the attitudes and coping behaviors that allow people to manage adversity and adjust to changing life circumstances.

Resilience may also be thought of as the ability to move through hardships and continue on with life.  And one thing for sure is that life will bring its share of change, unpleasantness, and challenge.

As much as parents would like to shield children from hurt, disappointment, and tragedy, it simply cannot be done.  Even if you could protect them from some rough times, at some point you would not be there to take the blow in their stead.

It is in your children’s best interest for you to encourage resilience.

Being resilient contributes to a more positive outlook, allowing people to feel in control of their lives and to have confidence that they can handle whatever obstacles get in their way.

In addition, recent research shows that developing character traits like resilience enables children to be more successful in school and in other aspects of their lives.

What Resilience Looks Like and Why It Is Important

It is crucial that children have a caring adult who will cultivate in them such traits and attitudes as:

persistence

self-control

optimism

conscientiousness

curiosity

self-confidence.

All of these qualities are like threads that are interwoven, each contributing to a child’s emotional strength. Having these characteristics – regardless of IQ or innate intellect – is necessary for negotiating life’s ups-and-downs.

When children are able to “stick with it,” they experience greater achievement, which in turn bolsters self-confidence. An optimistic attitude enables children to see failures or setbacks as:

temporary rather than permanent

specific to the situation rather than pervasive throughout all aspects of their lives

based on circumstances rather than on some innate character flaw they possess.

As a result, they come to believe that they can handle the problems they face.

What Can Parents Do to Foster Resiliency?

Fortunately, parents can do many things to foster resilience in their children, even when their children are very young.

Be a steady, supportive, and caring presence in your child’s life.

This is one of the most powerful ways a parent can instill the qualities and traits that make a person resilient.

One study finds that babies and toddlers who have even one adult who is keenly sensitive to their emotional state provides a powerful buffer against stress

The same effect is true for older children. Children who have this positive attachment are more successful at managing friendships, navigating adolescent networks and issues, graduating from high school and, ultimately, having supportive relationships with their own children

Even parents who did not experience a warm or supportive relationship with their own parents can learn the necessary attachment skills to help their children.  This includes:

learning to listen to and accept their children’s feelings

spending time with their children

developing empathy for their children’s experiences

seeing their children’s strengths

supporting them in their struggles

encouraging them in their efforts.

As children mature, parents remain important models for cultivating emotional strength that leads to the attitudes and behaviors necessary for success.  The following are suggestions from The Resilient Child by Joanne Joseph:

Help your child develop:

one ability or activity in which he excels

This activity should be something your child has a natural affinity for and chooses for himself.   Whatever it is, the recognition from others and the feelings of accomplishment will build self-confidence and act as a buffer against life’s inevitable set-backs.

other interests and hobbies that are purely for fun

She doesn’t have to excel, just enjoy the activity. These de-stressors will be invaluable when the going gets tough.

social and emotional coping skills.

Teach him to manage his feelings when challenged so that he can “keep his cool” and think clearly about the problem.

Teach along the way:

that everyone makes mistakes

Mistakes are expected! Mistakes should be treated as learning opportunities, not chances to belittle or humiliate children. Try to use mistakes as problem solving opportunities with your child.

responsibility by assigning chores

Have clear household rules about what is expected. Conscientiousness is the trait that best predicts workplace success

that effort is more important than outcome

Praise effort – not just outcomes. They may not always succeed, but they deserve credit for their attempts.

Set goals in line with your child’s temperament and developmental stage. To encourage self-confidence, expectations need to be realistic. 

Encourage your child:

to be a good friend and to think of others

This will provide smoother social interactions and pave the way for support from others when your child needs it.

to have an “attitude of excellence.”

This involves wanting to do better than what is merely required.  This will support hard work and perseverance, two traits that are needed when facing adversity.

to look for “the silver lining” in difficult situations

By changing his perspective, he will be in a better position to evaluate options and generate additional ways to approach a situation.