A message from the Head of Primary School
As we know, learning at school is so much more than the academic growth students undertake during a year. They learn to compromise, support and share with their peers, as well as learning to be responsible and dependable members of their class. I was reminded of this journey this week as I overheard a teacher asking students to repeat an instruction and task but doing it properly this time as was required. The teacher actually said, "I'm being supportive and kind but you do need to be able to do this," and I was pleased with both the high expectations and the warm way they were conveyed. The students responded positively.
Learning to rise to meet a standard or to overcome a difficult task helps build the resilience tank that children will undoubted need when they are older. Expert in this domain, Angela Duckworth, notes that 'grit' is more important than talent or intelligence for success in life. Grit helps children overcome obstacles and to keep working hard when things get difficult.
With older children it is easy to identify tasks that they find challenging and a conversation around perseverance is simpler to establish. With younger children it can be less obvious but there are still times when children are asked to meet a standard and they fall short. Cleaning and tidying their bedroom would be an area my own children are prone to claim success in, when in reality, their version of neat and my version differ wildly.
In the Primary School students are supported and encouraged to succeed by both the staff and their classmates with successes readily celebrated and acknowledged. I am very proud of the part our community plays in this by supporting the school and their children to be their best selves and to grow these skills that will benefit them long after the school bell rings.
Mark Douglas, Head of Primary School