Primary News
Melanie Sluyters
‘Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.’
Maya Angelou
The power of the playground is undoubtedly strong. For some it is a place of safety and for others it can be a place that causes stress and anxiety. When the playground is a place of laughter, fun and sanctuary there is no better place in the world for a Primary aged student, but when the playground is a place of rejection and sadness it is a very lonely place.
With its melting pot of personalities, ages, backgrounds and abilities, a space that is embracing and welcoming allows our students to use their time before school, recess, lunch, or after school to engage with, support and come together as a community.
Within the playground, and in fact across the classrooms, we as a College have an expectation that our students treat each other with kindness and respect, and with this an environment that is safe, valued and inclusive is created. By cultivating an atmosphere of acceptance, children learn to appreciate and celebrate differences, and embrace the rich tapestry of what is the junior school at Mount Carmel College. This inclusive mindset promotes empathy and a sense of belonging amongst our students; fostering a stronger sense of community.
Kindness and acceptance form the foundation of healthy relationships. By instilling these values in the playground and at home, children develop the skills to form positive connections. They learn to respect others, listen attentively, and appreciate different perspectives. Such interpersonal skills not only enhance their ability to collaborate and cooperate but also enable them to resolve conflicts peacefully. The playground becomes a space for children to build strong friendships and cultivate meaningful connections that can extend far beyond the boundaries of the playing during lunch or the intense chatter after school.
When children experience kindness and acceptance, they feel valued for who they are. This positive reinforcement contributes to the development of a healthy self-image, fostering self-confidence and boosting emotional well-being. By understanding the importance of accepting others, children also learn to appreciate themselves, embracing their strengths, and accepting their limitations. This self-acceptance empowers them to navigate challenges with resilience and optimism, promoting overall mental health and emotional stability.
The playground is an ideal setting for children to develop empathy and compassion. Encouraging kindness and acceptance enables young individuals to recognise and understand the emotions of others. By putting themselves in someone else's shoes, children become more compassionate, and more sensitive to the struggles and needs of their peers. These qualities are invaluable and uplift each one of us who grace the equipment, sit in the branches of the pear tree or hit the tennis courts with enthusiasm and joy of being a Primary aged child.
The values children learn on the playground have a profound impact on their interaction with others and their engagement within the classroom. By emphasising kindness and acceptance, we equip them with the tools to navigate the complexities of being a Primary aged child with grace and compassion. These qualities extend beyond childhood, shaping their interactions in adulthood and influencing the communities they become a part of.
Prioritising kindness and acceptance in this environment, empowers our students to become compassionate, empathetic individuals who embrace all. The lessons learned on the playground ripple through the rest of their school day, fostering healthy relationships, a stronger community, and a more inclusive classroom.
As parents/guardians I encourage you to have a conversation with those at home and see if they have been kind in the playground, have been accepting of others and have shown a willingness to be empathetic. Ask them what type of playground they are creating?
As said earlier we as a College have an expectation that our surroundings are a haven for kindness and acceptance. We pride ourselves on being a playground where as the song from Cheers states;
‘Sometimes you wanna go
Where everybody knows your name
And they're always glad you came.’
What a privilege!
In my role as Director of Primary it is an absolute privilege to be able to go in and out of classrooms, sit and chat to students during a break time or after school, watch as they see the joy in things that to us may just go straight past us. But one of the greatest joys is seeing our students or hearing about their successes and how they are thriving and flourishing in activities outside of school. It was again an honour and a moment of sheer pride to recently watch one of our debating teams with Carla Mione, Eliza Fleming and Grace Claxton present their debate with confidence, poise and skill. The manner in which they engaged the audience, spoke with passion about the topic and showed tremendous grace and kindness at the end with their opponents was fabulous.
Parent Wellbeing
As the alarm clocks go off and the coldness creeps in it is often hard to get out of bed in the morning and it can be harder to get your child off ready and out the door on time. This can transfer to weekends and the pull of staying home can be so inviting but can also cause arguments and stress, especially with those who prefer to stay under the covers. Please feel free to click on the links below that will take you to some parenting sites that may assist in fighting the winter blues and keep you moving.
School Performance Australia
On Tuesday Prep - Year 6 attended a performance by School Performance Tour Australia titled 'Look How We Have Changed’. This performance transported our students back in time exploring how technology and science have changed the way we do things.
Goodluck
Goodluck to Natasha Cormie and James Higginbotham who started their teaching prac last week. A vital and essential part of teacher training but they will be missed within our community over the next four weeks.
SEQTA Uploads
Prep to Year 6 teachers are in the midst of finalising Semester One online reporting with work being uploaded across many subjects. If you are having trouble accessing your son or daughter’s online assessment please contact the classroom teacher, Jasmin Reynolds or myself.
Primary Choir
A reminder to all Year 3 - 5 students that Choir is on Wednesday morning from 8:30am - 9:00am. This is an opportunity for anyone who feels that they would like to be part of a group of likeminded people to learn the art of singing with a small group.
Early Years Assembly
This term we are trialling running Kinder - Year 2 assemblies and Years 3 - 6 assemblies. This week we held another successful assembly with our Year 1 staff and students leading the way. Thank you to Ms Smith and Ms Murphy for the work involved and to the Year 1 parents who were able to attend.
Save the Date - Grandparents and Special Persons Day
Due to COVID restrictions over the past few years, our most favourite day has not been able to be held but it is back. Students across Kinder to Year 6 were given a ‘Save the Date’ flyer with the special day Wednesday 25 October. More details about this fabulous day will be made available next term but we thought it was important to provide the date so that you can plan.