A message from the Head of Primary School
Helping our Children Practise Resilience
Developing resilience in our children is a shared goal between home and school. We all want to see our students grow into young people who are willing to take on challenges, persevere when things become difficult, and bounce back when faced with failure or adversity. Resilience underpins not only academic success, but also wellbeing, relationships, and future life experiences.
While students will engage in lessons that explicitly explore resilience, it is important to recognise that resilience is not something that can simply be “taught” or installed. Rather, it is a skill that must be developed over time through experience, reflection, and practice. Children build resilience when they are given opportunities to step outside their comfort zones, encounter setbacks, and learn how to respond in constructive ways.
Throughout the year, there are a number of key experiences designed to support the development of resilience. Our camp programs are a wonderful example, providing students with opportunities to try new things, build independence, and navigate unfamiliar situations. These moments often become powerful milestones in a child’s growth.
One such opportunity begins next week with the Year 5 Surfing Program. For many students, this will involve stepping well outside their comfort zone, learning new skills, facing the unpredictability of the ocean, and persisting through initial challenges. It is through experiences like these that resilience is truly rehearsed, as students learn to manage nerves, celebrate small successes, and keep trying even when things don’t go to plan.
We encourage you to support this journey at home by celebrating effort over outcome, encouraging independence, and allowing children the space to work through challenges. Together, we can help our students develop the confidence and resilience they need to thrive.
Kind regards
Mark Pressley
Acting Head of Primary School
