The sky was the limit for our Year 9 students during their Connection Afternoon at Bounce!
Following a bustling and brisk, but buoyant start to the new school term, the fun activity event offered our students the welcome opportunity to step outside of their cosy, heated classrooms to expend their energy reserves productively; continue to consolidate connections with their peers; and embrace new challenges in an exciting, supportive and fun environment.
The students embraced every moment! Climbing the high ropes and walls, jumping into the foam pits, bouncing on the giant trampolines and inflatables, scaling the sky walk and running through the adrenaline playground. It was a wholesome and wonderful sight to see 140 students springing, smiling and sliding everywhere!
Moreover, it was incredibly uplifting to see our 2023 Kildare Core Value of “Courage” in action, as the students challenged themselves and their peers to take new risks, all while enthusiastically cheering and encouraging each other along the way. A wonderful time was had by all, as they unleashed their free spirits and reached new heights!
Recently, the Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies students visited the District Court of South Australia, the Magistrates Court of South Australia and Parliament House with Member of Parliament Dana Wortley.
Students got to see first-hand the justice system in action (a topic featured in both Stage 1 and 2 SACE) and even got a glimpse of some cases that have been all over the news of late. Students were able to speak with a Judge about the South Australian justice system. Students then saw the law-making process at Parliament House and even participated in a “heated” and passionate debate about a fictitious bill: the No Homework Bill. Shockingly, the No Homework Bill was passed into legislation, meaning that it would become illegal for educators to give students homework (something Ms James was not happy about).
It was interesting to hear Member of Parliament Dana Wortley speak about the importance of female representation in politics and Government, and her involvement in the historical South Australian Voice Act.
Overall, it was an interesting and engaging day that strongly encouraged the students to think about legal studies, politics and the law, the justice system and using their voices to help others.
Navigating through adolescence can prove challenging both socially and emotionally.
Below are some engaging activities to help build your daughters connection with her peers through social emotional learning. We have also included some fantastic resources and mobile applications with a focus on managing stress and building resilience with an understanding on brain development, read more here! Brain Development Factsheet
Social emotional learning is broken down into five key areas: self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision making and self-management. Read more about each of these areas here.
Wellbeing mobile applications include:
- Daily bean
Digital record keeping of how you are feeling throughout the day with different graphic mood beans - Calm
Personalised experience on the app through setting goals in reducing anxiety, reducing stress, building self-esteem and forming better sleep patterns (just to name a few!) - Headspace
Mindfulness and mediation to help support with stress management and connection between body and mind
To strengthen social skills through focussing on communication and interaction with others, try this activity at home or even on the drive home.
Alphabet categories – Try this one on the drive home! Choose a topic and take it in turns going through the alphabet listing something from the category
For example, category – Food: Apple, Banana, Cake, Drumstick
This activity strengthens social skills through focussing on communication and interaction with others.
When your daughter is feeling stressed, upset or not quite themselves. Ask her to list the following:
5 senses – Try this one when your daughter is feeling stressed, upset or not quite themselves. Ask her to list the following:
- What are 5 things you can see?
- What are 4 things you can feel? Tell me how it feels.
- What are 4 things you can hear?
- What are 2 things you can smell? If you can’t smell anything, what do you like the smell of?
- What is 1 thing you can taste? If you can’t taste anything, what is something you like the taste of?
This strategy assists with refocussing your daughter to the present moment as often stressors and worries are past or future focussed.
Every problem or challenge can be resolved, and by developing a toolbox of strategies, we can support each other as we journey together through adolescence.