Positive Education 

Last week all students returned to the College, a buzz was in the air and the joy was evident in all.  As the week progressed many classes decided to do some work around wellbeing in order to allow students to enter back into their learning environment slowly.  This allowed those who may have felt a sense of anxiety, despite the smiles, a chance to enter into the space gently.  Wellbeing in action was certainly alive and well, below are just a few examples of what it looked like. 

Enjoy scrolling through the photo albums below.

Kindergarten

Kinders made party crowns and enjoyed dancing in celebration of returning back to Kindergarten.

Prep

As a part of home learning, when return to school was in sight, children were invited to create a fairy and send me a photo. They came back to school to find a fairyland with their fairy in it. This helped drum up excitement for the return to school. Everyone was very settled on the first day, it was wonderful. Here’s a photo of the big reveal. Here’s also a photo of our Bluey guided drawing we did all together on the first day back – who doesn’t love Bluey?!

Year 1

In Year One the emphasis was on connection, in fact reconnecting with friends, teachers and their learning environment.  I think by seeing the smile on the faces Mrs Wall and Mrs Burrill certainly achieved that.

Year 2 

A focus for Year Two was to find out how students looked after their wellbeing whilst learning remotely by finding out what activities they added to their routine, in order to have some downtime.  Mr Lowe asked the Year 2’s to draw a picture of an activity they did when they needed a break from the online learning.  We can clearly see the Year 2’s enjoyed being outside and getting some fresh air. 

Year 3 

The Year Threes used a PMI chart to think about Learning@Home. A class sharing of the information recorded, revealed that many feelings and experiences of Learning@Home were similar for each student.  This allowed a fabulous conversation with Mrs Cooper about how even at home Year 3’s were not alone.  

Year 4 

The Year Four students worked solidly unpacking their strengths, and also cleverly integrating them in their Religion Education, with a focus on ‘The Gifts of the Holy Spirit’.  With Mrs Wilson- Haffenden’s guidance the Year 4 students made a chain as a symbol of how they collectively use strengths to generate class spirit.  As you can appreciate class spirit and reigniting bonds has been paramount for all. 

Year 5 Navy and White

To celebrate the return to school, the girls in Grade 5 had a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics)  Master Chef Challenge. No cooking involved in this one though. The girls had all day on Wednesday to construct a puppet theatre, create shadow puppet characters, write a script and video their performance.

The small groups work diligently to get all of the work done in the time given. It was amazing to see how creative and imaginative our Grade 5 girls truly are.

Year 6 Navy

In 6 Navy, students explored the idea of being true to oneself in order to reconnect with those around them.  It was decided as a class that a recognition of talents, strengths, likes and even dislikes was important to acknowledge. This was explored through a number of tasks such as removing masks in order to reveal one’s true self, a ‘Rip and Review’ activity that allowed students collaboratively to respond to questions about self confidence and relationships which was then summarised by a different group.  And finally an activity response acknowledging those who support and encourage them in all they do.  

Year 6 White

The 6 White class have spent some time carefully reflecting on what we can take away from our Learning@Home experience. We start each day with a Wellbeing Check and end our weeks with gratitude by praying the Examen. We have instituted regular "No Screen" days and have placed a greater emphasis on artistic and creative activities.

Years 7 - 10 

Before students returned they were asked to complete a task focusing in on a series of questions such as:

•  “What has it been like in your bubble so far?”
•  “What are your thoughts on returning to school?” 
• “Who has been your everyday hero?”

On the first day of Clan students were then asked to present their responses which allowed for a conversation to occur amongst all.  Like Year 3, students recognised that some of the emotions, feelings and anxieties were the same across the Clan, no matter what Year group they belonged to.

Melanie Sluyters

Director of Positive Education