Assistant Principal's Report

About the School

Paul and I visit classrooms regularly and love seeing what the students are learning about in the different areas of the school. Something I have noticed recently is how calm the classrooms are, and the respectful way students treat each other and the adults working with them. I am always so impressed when I overhear students supporting each other and encouraging each other in the classroom and out on the yard. 

The other day I overheard one of our Foundation students helping a friend who was having a tricky time with some big emotions. The Foundation student acknowledged the big feeling, shared a time when they had felt that big feeling, and proceeded to share ideas about strategies that had helped them in the past, to move away from that big feeling. How amazing is that!

At Fairfield Primary School we support our students to recognise and identify their emotions using the Zones of Regulation.  We encourage students to acknowledge the emotion and reassure them that no emotion is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.  Students and staff use the same language from Foundation to Year 6 and to hear students work through tricky moments together using this framework and language is so wonderful. 

Out on the yard recently, I have been observing many students keenly searching for insects in our beautiful natural garden areas. Many students from different year levels have been joining in – the cooperation, support and teamwork shown through this play is amazing! I have been really impressed to see how students from all areas of the school have connected by sharing a common goal. The excitement on their faces when they were certain they finally saw a lizard hiding in the Fig Tree Courtyard was priceless!

~ Sarah Abbott, Assistant Principal