Last week we celebrated our new Kaiārahi (Student Leaders), an outstanding group of students who embody the Milford values and PYP learner dispositions. We are incredibly proud to have such wonderful students and look forward to seeing Kaiārahi flourish as leaders and role models in our school. Congratulations to the 2023 Kaiārahi: Zac, George, Josh, Selena, Josh, Amelia, Madeline, Isobel, Violet, Piper, Isaac, Emily, Lev, Janice

These students have shown inner motivation and humility, an authentic pride – the deep personal satisfaction of hitting a goal. They have experienced first-hand how self-discipline and hard work help to stay motivated, overcome challenges and achieve.

A study in 2020 by German researchers found that students who reported feeling positive emotions such as pride and enjoyment in their work had significantly better achievement over time than students with the same level of ability but fewer positive emotions. On the other hand, feeling a lack of pride in our work can motivate us to work harder, too. One study found that students who did poorly told researchers that they planned to study more in the future and then went on to perform better on the following assessment.

Pride acts as a barometer of achievement. Pride makes you value long-term goals more than present ones and builds self-control and grit from the bottom up.

Parents play a critical role in building their child’s sense of pride. Our brains don’t come hard-wired to know what to take pride in, such as test results or sports, so children initially look to parents, teachers and peers to find out what those around them value and the goals worthwhile pursuing.

When young people are engaged in areas where they feel confident and proud, it creates a ripple effect, giving them the motivation and encouragement to take on new challenges in other areas of their lives.

At school, we teach children how to use pride as a motivational tool and make sure we point it out; Did you notice how you felt when you got 10/10, built that model plane or sang that song? If they feel a lack of pride over a test or performance, teachers take the time to talk through the actions they can take to avoid feeling that way. To stay intrinsically motivated, children must feel like they’re improving toward a goal, so I encourage you to point out the pride they should feel in the small successes.

When we withhold genuine praise or downplay pride, we deprive children of a powerful source of motivation that can help them persevere in the face of challenges today — and throughout their lives.

So to our Kaiārahi, feel proud of your achievements and celebrate your success!

Kia kaha, kia mai, kia manawanui

Parent Teacher Meetings – Tuesday, 28 March (Early Closing)

On Tuesday, 28 March, we encourage you to attend Parent Teacher Meetings. This is an excellent opportunity to find out how your child/ren is progressing in their learning and settling into their class.

You can book your Parent Teacher Meeting through the Hero app under the School Booking tab.

As teachers will participate in the meetings, the school will close early at 12.30. If you require childcare, please get in touch with SKIDS.

Literacy Week – Monday 27 March
We are looking forward to an exciting week of all things literacy in week 9. See the article below with more details.

FOMS Fun Afternoon Event – Friday 31 March

You are invited to our Family Fun Afternoon on Friday 31 March from 3pm. There will be a sausage sizzle, Scrunchy Millers will be here, and we will have some fun family entertainment. Bring a picnic, relax on the school field, catch up with friends, and meet some new ones!