Caring for our Junior School environment has been a focus for us in Term 1 of this year and I am delighted to share that, already, there has been a noticeable change in this area. With the introduction of some new processes around lunchboxes and eating time, some lovely new seating as well as a renewed focus on how we are using our spaces, the girls and staff are enjoying a much cleaner, tidier and more useable Junior School play area. After a great deal of discussion with both staff and our girls, it was quickly apparent that so much of effecting change is to do with our habits and our ‘way of being’. This is true for anything we do, whether it be classroom or home learning routines, how we engage in our co-curricular and even such things as seemingly simple as how we move around the school between lessons. The way we conduct ourselves, how we treat one another and take care of our own and collective belongings has such impact and, with consistency, forms our culture and shifts from not just how we are, but to who we are.
As a result of this, reinforcing culture in our Junior School, ensuring there is clear understanding about the way we do things and why, our ‘Wildy way’, ensures that the expectations and boundaries are clear but also that a sense of truly belonging is possible. When our girls feel they belong, we then see our values, about learning, citizenship and kindness, lived out authentically in our daily interactions. This starts with us holding true to the little things; the way we wear our uniforms, our manners, how we present our learning and how we show up and participate in lessons and moves to girls feeling confident to try new things, to take responsible learning risks, to be clear in their values and to have a voice and share their thinking and ideas.
If your daughter’s come home speaking about this renewed focus, about new rules and expectations, please understand that this is purposeful and forms part of a far greater picture of reflection and intentionality for our Junior School. It is something we believe in and are proud of.
The Junior School Oscars Award
Our Environment Committee have introduced ‘The Oscars Award’ this term. With careful checking each day, the committee leaders, Grace and Millie, make a weekly decision about which year level has the tidiest classroom area. The best year level is then awarded ‘The Oscar’ and gets to have a highly coveted Oscar the Grouch plush toy visit and stay in their classroom for the week. So far, the Receptions, Year 6 and Year 2 cohorts have been the Oscar recipients and the excitement each week at assembly is palpable. Well done Environment Committee for making such a positive impact!
Liz McCarthy
Head of Junior School
