Class Page- 56H

There is no ‘I’ in T-E-A-M

Teamwork is an integral part of everything we do at Numurkah Primary School. In the classroom and in the yard, children are explicitly taught a range of strategies to develop their cooperation and leadership skills and ultimately create kids who demonstrate what it means to be a ‘Team Player’.

This is particularly evident during our Sport and Physical Education lessons. Team sports allow students to work together to achieve a common goal; that might be winning the game or simply improving as a team, all the while building each students’ self-confidence. As teachers, we reinforce that winning is not the ultimate goal when playing team games, even though healthy competition is enjoyable and promotes teamwork. We consistently explain to students that the primary goal is to promote and develop their ability to work cooperatively and constructively with others. This is the power of teamwork.

In a team - much like in a bowl of museli – each player has an individual role to play. A good bowl of museli will consist of sultanas (to add sweetness), bran (for fibre), almonds (for extra crunch) and milk (to blend it all together). In a team, each individual role is vital to the team’s success and success can only be achieved if their work together. Museli without sultanas just wouldn’t taste as nice; just like a rounder’s game without a bowler wouldn’t quite work! Ensuring each student knows their role in the team and their importance to the team’s overall success, is key to successful teamwork. 

As teachers, we explain to students that every role contributes to team success. We communicate to each student how important their role is, and provide them with numerous opportunities to practice and develop their strategies and skills. We know how important it is to make each student feel valued as a part of the team, and we give them clear instructions on how they can contribute to their team’s success, and provide a sense of accountability for their actions as part of that team. Teamwork builds confidence, both for the team and the individual students who belong to that team. 

Those who learn to work well in a team environment demonstrate their ability to communicate well with others to solve problems and achieve common goals. 

Teamwork is about developing life skills and at Numurkah Primary School, we are a Team – Creating the Future Together.