Positive Education

Positive Education from Kinder - Year 6

Exploring aspects of Positive Education and highlighting the importance of one's wellbeing is an essential part of our teaching in the Primary School.  Each Thursday we have a dedicated time from just after 9:00am where all classes use either the URSTRONG as their programme or the ‘teach peec’ to unpack what it means to look after our mental health and relationships.  Below each class has provided a short snippet or insight into what they do either on that Thursday or at other times throughout the week.  

Kinder

In Kinder we believe that the importance of playing in nature supports total human development. Immersing in nature with others supports communication and cooperation.  We also believe strongly in the emotional benefits of nature play. It fosters self worth, self confidence, self expression, reduces anxiety and calms the nervous system.

Besides the physical benefits, dancing fosters increasing self awareness, imagination and confidence. A sense of joy is often the product of dancing together. It assists in social and emotional development.  Providing opportunities to explore creatively every day is immensely important for the whole of child development. They offer a vehicle for trying out new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem solving as well as developing skills for self expression.

Finally, children are naturally spiritual and have a sense of ‘God  within’. Fostering their inner life and curiosity is essential for emotional well being.

Prep

The Prep children have been focusing on Teamwork as an important learner attribute. This focus coincides with students being placed into teams to work together, to plan a dramatic retell of The Three Little Pigs. In preparation for working in their teams the children completed a Y chart surrounding the concept of teamwork. Here is a snippet of their amazing ideas:

Teamwork looks like…

“One person helping the other” – Abigail

“That you’re working together” – Mila

Teamwork sounds like…

“Do you want me to help you?” – Harriet

“That looks awesome!” – Cora

“I think this piece goes there.” – Zara

Teamwork feels like…

“It feels like you're helping people. That feels good.” – Maddie

“Love, because you’re helping.” – Molly G

Year 1

In Year One, students have contributed to activities and discussion about HONESTY. Students have explored the reasoning behind being honest to each other, with themselves and adults in their life. This has influenced discussions when resolving conflict, reading stories and in daily routines at school.  

Year Ones were asked to trace their hand on coloured paper, cut it out and then write on it something that they are grateful for. ‘Gratitude’ is one of the values from Positive Education that they focussed on at the end of last term.

Year 2

In Year 2 we have been busy working through our well-being journal. In particular we have looked at our strengths and how we can use these for our own well-being and helping others as well.   We have drawn pictures of how we can use our character strengths at school (in the classroom and playground) and at home. 

Year 3

Year 3 students have been exploring characteristics and traits that makes each of us unique. We are learning to appreciate and celebrate our differences. Everyone in Year 3 agreed that our class would be boring if we were all the same. One of the differences we have discussed is that our brains all work differently. We read "Where My Mind Goes in Science Class" and learned that some students have to work really hard to focus in class.

Year 4 

We have been focusing on friendships, friendships in sport, with neighbours, and in class.  We have been roleplaying strategies which are effective in conversation.  We have been examining what makes a supportive classroom, and how each student can contribute to class spirit.  We are working on being ‘givers’ in our friendships and in our classroom.

Year 5 

In 5 White we looked at the qualities that make a good friend. We brainstormed ideas as a class and came up with a list of 10 important traits to have as a good friend. Then in pairs we designed a Ninja Friend Academy poster that highlighted details on what these traits meant and how we can show them.  Finally, the pairs made a video of how they would teach one friend trait to a class of small children. 

In 5 Navy we often explore the question How do you eat an elephant? The NOT YET vs INK idea that allows us to recognise that we are all learners and that we do not know everything and that is okay.  We also use our URSTRONG teachings to unpack the essential guide to what makes up a good friend and how to navigate issues when they arise.  During the week of NAPLAN we also explored the terms Positive and Negative emotions and discovered that our list of positive emotions that we created matched very closely to that of world renowned American psychology professor Dr Barbara Fredrickson.  

Year 6

In 6 Navy we have been revisiting how to make new friends. URSTRONG has helped us to build skills in the art of conversation.  We have learned how to introduce ourselves to new people and how to hold a conversation, alway making sure to ask questions and be both interested and interesting! Once we have found something in common and planted the seed we are learning steps we can take to help that friendship grow. We have practised these important life skills with role plays.  

In 6 White we have been diving headfirst into the Champion LIfe program, working to build positive mindsets, physical fitness, and resilience. Daily Body Sets from some of Australia’s best-known athletes and wellness leaders get us active and focused with exercises and a handy wellbeing tip. Students then spend time working towards one of the physical challenges the program sets out. These challenges require practise and repeated efforts to perfect, earning students points as they upload evidence of their progress. Students enjoy the variety of activities, working together, and challenging themselves as part of this growing community of Champions.