Empowered contributors

Children are living in a fast-paced developing global world that requires them to be critical and creative problem solvers with strong communication skills.

To do this, children need a strong foundation in reading, writing and mathematics. These skills then allow them to explore more diverse areas of learning, such as science, history and digital technologies.

While this is a key focus for education, the social, emotional and spiritual needs of children must not be ignored. Children who feel content, connected and safe at school are ready and able to learn.

For this reason Ss Michael and John’s Primary School implements a variety of programs to support the social, emotional and spiritual needs of children.

Children at the school have opportunities to play through the institution’s developmental curriculum.

Learning intentions explore academic learning as well as social, emotional and spiritual goals.

In building trust and connectedness, the school’s incoming foundation children are supported by buddies.

Ss Michael and John’s current grade-five pupils spend time exploring what it means to support others through the Alannah and Madeline Foundation Better Buddies program. These relationships mean incoming foundation children feel safe and supported in their new learning environment.

A resilience and well-being Bounceback program operates across the school. This aims to teach children that life is unpredictable, and along the way there is happiness and joy. However, there are also challenges and disappointments. Bounceback focuses on the skills children need to deal with adversity and then become happy and content again.

Ss Michael and John’s vision is that its children will ‘thrive and be empowered to contribute to the world in which they live’. Explicitly teaching for healthy minds ensures healthy bodies, which means children are ready and able to explore, engage and learn.