Article written by Primary School Principal Mrs Tracy Wahl (as first appeared in The Muse Magazine, click here to read the rest of this edition).
LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER
As part of the leadership programme introduced in 2018, the Grade 6 pupils were paired with a Grade 1 pupil for the year. The Grade 6s mentored the new Grade 1s and throughout the year various opportunities were created for them to read together, play games, and make cards for one another’s birthdays. The challenges born out of the pandemic encouraged us to grow this initiative to include every child in the school. COOL2CARE GROUPS The Cool2Care initiative was, therefore, launched in January 2022. There are 26 Care groups each consisting of a mix of pupils from Grade 1 to 6. The groups stay the same as they move up each year. The new Grade 6s become the leaders, and the new Grade 1s (and other new children) are added. Each group is mentored by a teacher. The teachers have enjoyed watching the group members develop confidence and work comfortably with one another.
OBJECTIVES
• A “buddy” group where every child can feel they belong
• A place where children can share and support each other in small groups, encouraging empathy and reducing the issues around bullying
• A multi-grade environment where older children can model behaviour and nurture younger ones
• An opportunity for Grade 6 children to exercise leadership skills
• Group activities – for special occasions
LEADERSHIP
The aim of the groups is to engender a culture of caring and nurturing across the grades. This is a chance for the Grade 6 pupil (our senior grade) to lead activities through guidance, direction and motivation. By looking out for each other, they develop a sense of trust and respect across the age groups. The Grade 5s are developing their leadership skills by either assisting the Gr 6 pupils or in their absence, they are then the leader of the group.
MENTORS
The teacher mentors meet with the Gr 6 leaders giving guidance and suggestions to develop leadership skills. When the groups meet to chat, the teacher mentor can observe and facilitate where necessary with situations such as group dynamics.
ACTIVITIES
Every few weeks a set time is arranged for each group to gather and chat, with the mentor present at a distance. There are, on average, two organised activities per term. The activity is aimed at being age appropriate for the range of ages in the group. One of the first events this year was on Valentine’s Day, which we called Friendship Day. The groups designed and created a mobile with messages of ‘My heart is full’. They had to draw or write down what makes their ‘heart full’ – family, friends, pets, sport, music. For Human Rights Day, the Gr 3 to 6s, engaged in a mature, in-depth discussion held on the rights and responsibilities of children in South Africa. In June, the groups celebrated Youth Day by making paper chains. They drew themselves on the given template which symbolised that across the grades, cultural heritages and religions, they are the youth, the future, making a difference together. It was wonderful to observe how each pupil decorated themselves on the chain to represent their own unique identity. It has been heart-warming to watch how the groups have bonded and connected, chatting freely, joking and talking quietly with each other. The Grade 6s have risen to the challenge of their roles – they have empowered themselves and are far more comfortable with their responsibilities.
CELEBRATING GROWTH
Our theme for 2022 is Celebrating Growth and this initiative epitomises our personal growth over the past two and a half years. At Cannons, we root for one another in a nurturing environment. It is vitally important that we continue to support each other at home and at school. I would like to thank Mrs Alston and Mrs Storey for their contributions to this programme and the article.
Read more about Pastoral care at Cannons Creek, here.