During the last two weeks of this term we are explicitly teaching our school value, Manawanuitanga. Manawanuitanga is about being your best self.

Halswell students demonstrate Manawanuitanga when they:

• Think for themselves

• Try new things

• Try their best

At all levels across the school, teachers have been discussing these responsibilities with students and encouraging them to demonstrate them both in class and in the playground. Our Whānau rewards system is used to acknowledge our values in action.

You can reinforce this value at home by:

• encouraging your child to take risks and try new things e.g. new foods, new hobbies, sports etc
• solve simple problems at home by themselves
• focus on praising your child for effort i.e for trying their best, rather than achievement
• encourage your child to persevere with activities and not to give up when things get hard. Praise them specifially when they do this.