This year, we want to continue developing our students to manage issues (challenges) in a way that avoids anxiety or 'toxic stress.' There have been several instances when students forget items like a form, swimming togs, or a device. Their immediate reaction is often to ask if they can phone home for a replacement. These requests are becoming more frequent and cause unnecessary stress when the forgotten items are not brought to school. We will no longer make calls home for forgotten items. Staff are aware of this expectation and will support students in managing the situation without negative consequences. If something has been forgotten, the response will be: "That's okay, you can bring it tomorrow."

HOW CAN WE ALL HELP?

✅ Encourage a Positive Mindset: Teach children that challenges and mistakes are a natural part of life. These moments are opportunities for learning and can help reduce the fear of failure, fostering a healthier approach to stress.

✅ Provide Clear Expectations and Structure: Children thrive with clear routines. A daily checklist for packing bags, for example, can reduce uncertainty and anxiety.

✅ Model Calm Responses to Stress: Children often mimic adults. By handling stress calmly and problem-solving effectively, we equip them with the tools to manage their own challenges.

✅ Promote Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps children manage stress by releasing endorphins and improving mood. Focus on Effort, Not Just Results: Encourage children to value effort over outcome. This builds confidence and reduces stress related to performance.

✅ Encourage Healthy Sleep and Nutrition: Adequate rest and good nutrition are essential for emotional balance and stress management. Foster Emotional Expression: Allow children to express their emotions in healthy ways, which helps them process and manage stress effectively.

✅ Don’t Make “Opting Out” Easy: Life isn’t always easy, but facing challenges builds resilience. Set clear expectations that children are expected to participate in activities like school swimming sports. It’s not about winning, but about engaging and developing skills that will benefit them in the long term.

HOW DOES THIS IMPACT LEARNING?

We are increasingly noticing that many students give up easily when faced with tricky or challenging learning opportunities, such as a math challenge. Rather than persevering and working through different strategies to find a solution, they often skip ahead to the next question. This tendency to move on without giving the problem a thoughtful attempt not only limits their learning but also discourages the development of critical problem-solving skills. In these moments, it's important to remind students that even if they don't immediately find the correct answer, the process of working through the problem is just as valuable, if not more so.