Dear Families,

This week we launched our new sticker system based on our school wide expectations of SAFETY, RESPECT and LEARNING. Our senior students did an incredible job of articulating the purpose of the stickers at our Monday morning assembly stating what each of our expectations looks like, sounds like and feels like and how we can identify these in others and in ourselves.

While stickers can be a form of reward, our focus here at St. Thomas the Apostle is on feedback and motivation. Research tells us that positive feedback boosts intrinsic motivation, promotes student’s engagement and increases a students’ sense of belonging.

 ‘When students are engaged, they show more attention and task-related behaviour and are less distracted from their work, with positive outcomes, both academically and socially (Cents-Boonstra, 2021).

This week we have witnessed an increased sense of motivation from our students in demonstrating the school wide expectations. I have had multiple conversations at the front gate with students this week displaying their stickers proudly and articulating clearly why they have one.

Akain: 

RESPECT: ‘My friend had no one to play with. I felt happy because if I was my friend I would want someone to ask me to play.’

Ann:

LEARNING: ‘We were doing our morning routine and I was focusing to get my work done. I felt happy because when I do my work, I am able to get it finished on time and feel proud.’

Aidan:

RESPECT: ‘When we were at Sport, I was showing respect through good sportsmanship and encouraging my friends to have a go in the lesson.’

Kiera: 

SAFETY: ‘There were chairs in the way in the middle of the classroom and I decided to clear them away so everyone had somewhere to sit on the floor. I wanted everyone to be safe and not trip over them.’

Alvin:

RESPECT: ‘I bumped into my friend and then I said ‘sorry’ to make it all better.’

Michael:

RESPECT: ‘When I was playing, there was a boy who had magnets and I asked to play with the magnets in a nice way. The boy said ‘yes’. I love magnets.’

Next Monday morning we will continue to provide feedback and motivation to our students through the presentation of certificates. These will be announced and handed out by Mrs Dourley for students who are trying their best to demonstrate our school wide expectations consistently. These will be handed out on a weekly basis starting on Monday with students from our Year 3-6 classes. The following week, our Foundation -2 students will receive theirs. 

Have a lovely week everyone.

Kindest regards

Jen Gulivan