From The Principal

Awards Season

As the School year comes to its close, we also enter the time of year where the achievements of many of our students are recognised at end of year events. Each girl who receives an award will have worked or trained hard and will fully deserve their award. Of course, it would be completely understandable that those who do not receive recognition might feel overlooked or under-appreciated. It can be difficult to know how to best assist those who don’t win to deal with the disappointment. However, learning to navigate the challenge of not winning is a crucial life skill.

For students, the experience of not receiving an award or prize can be disheartening, but it also offers valuable lessons that contribute to personal growth and development. As educators and parents, it is our responsibility to provide support and guidance to help students cope with the disappointment of not winning and turn it into a constructive learning experience. How children learn to respond to disappointment will determine its impact on their future achievement and happiness.

So how is it that experts suggest we help children grow through disappointment? I hope that you find some of the following tips useful:

Acknowledge feelings and allow your children to feel disappointment about the setback:

The first step in helping students cope with not winning is to acknowledge their feelings. Disappointment, frustration, and even a sense of failure are natural emotional responses. Create an open and supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their emotions without judgment. Validating their feelings helps build trust and sets the stage for constructive conversations. Don’t ‘spin’ the situation to make your child feel better.

Encourage Reflection:

Instead of focusing solely on the outcome, encourage students to reflect on the journey. Help them identify the hard work, dedication, and skills they developed throughout the year and to name the successes and ‘wins’ they did have. By shifting the focus from this particular result to personal growth and progress, students can find meaning and purpose in their efforts.

Discuss the importance of perseverance and having a growth mindset:

Winning is not the only measure of success. Emphasise the importance of perseverance and resilience. Foster a growth mindset by emphasising that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Encourage students to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than fixed indicators of their capabilities. A growth mindset helps shift the focus from innate talent to the process of improvement, fostering resilience in the face of setbacks.

And finally, make sure they know you love them regardless of their successes or failures.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-power-prime/201106/parenting-disappointment-is-good

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-help-kids-cope-with-disappointment

Farewell to departing staff

I would like to thank everyone for their support and contribution to MLC School this year. The downside of reaching the end of the School year is that a number of staff will be leaving us to take up new opportunities:

Whole School

  • Richard Coward (Director of Bands)
  • Sally Yabsley-Bell (Chaplain)
  • Michelle Anderson (Company Secretary)

Senior School

  • Tarryn Hill (Mathematics Teacher)
  • Pamela Mcgowan (Technological and Applied Studies – TAS Teacher) – Retiring
  • Gavin Starr (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education – PDHPE)

Junior School

  • Jody Gilroy (Teacher Librarian)
  • Victoria Noy (Junior School Teacher)

We have been fortunate to have a number of very capable and hard-working staff on temporary contracts that conclude at the end of this year. Thanks and farewell to:

  • Kate Beange/Aghion (Learning Enrichment)
  • Clare Iongi (Sports Trainee)
  • Anastasia Poulos (Design, Art and Technology – DART Teacher)
  • Ashley Wallis (Dance, Drama and Entertainment – DDE Teacher)
  • Madeleine Spencer (Junior School Teacher)
  • Marlei Klapper (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education – PDHPE Teacher)
  • Kaki Lau (Junior School Teacher)
  • Kim Rowland (Junior School Teacher)

I look forward to seeing many of you at our Annual Junior School Speech Day and Senior School Speech Night on Thursday 7 December 2023. 

I extend my best wishes to all families and students for a well-earned break and a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal