Building Resilience Through Challenge & Celebration

From the Head of the Junior School, Heidi Shvetsoff

One of the most important qualities we can nurture in our children is resilience—the ability to face challenges, learn from setbacks, and keep going with determination and a positive mindset. Resilience helps children develop confidence, independence, and the ability to cope with life’s ups and downs. It’s not about always winning but about having the courage to try, the perseverance to keep going, and the heart to celebrate effort and improvement.

Our recent Swimming Carnivals were a wonderful demonstration of resilience in action. At the Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival, we saw incredible displays of determination as students pushed themselves in their races, whether they were seasoned swimmers or simply giving it their best shot. Congratulations to our race winners, who showed great skill and speed, but also to every student who jumped in the pool, swam their hardest, and never gave up. The encouragement and team spirit from the stands were inspiring, reinforcing that success is not just about results—it’s about effort, attitude, and participation.

For our younger students, the K-2 Splash and Dash Carnival was a joyful celebration of fun, water confidence, and participation. Seeing our youngest learners splash, paddle, and laugh their way through the event was heartwarming. They demonstrated that resilience starts early—not in competition, but in the willingness to try new things, support one another, and enjoy the journey.

Both carnivals were not only about individual efforts but also about building House and school spirit. The cheering, camaraderie, and encouragement shared among students created a true sense of belonging. This sense of community is just as important as individual success—it reminds us all that we grow stronger together. Thank you, to our wonderful students for their enthusiasm, our dedicated staff for their support, and our parents and carers for cheering from the sidelines.

Developing resilience goes hand in hand with fostering a growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can grow through effort, practice, and perseverance. When children understand that challenges are opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to avoid, they become more willing to step outside their comfort zones, try new things, and persist even when things get tough.

At a recent assembly, I spoke to our students about ‘The Learning Pit’, a powerful way to understand the ups and downs of learning. I explained that when we start something new, it often feels easy at first. But soon, we might hit a tricky part—this is where we find ourselves in the Learning Pit. It’s a place where things feel difficult, where we might make mistakes or feel like giving up. But with perseverance, effort, and support, we climb out of the pit, gaining new skills and confidence along the way.

This concept of the Learning Pit applies to more than just academics. We saw it firsthand at our Swimming Carnivals, where students had to push through fatigue, face their nerves, and keep going, even when they weren’t sure they could. Every child who swam, cheered, and encouraged others showed us what resilience looks like in action.

As parents and educators, we can support our children by reminding them that challenges are normal and that struggle is a part of learning. When they feel stuck, instead of saying ‘I can’t do it,’ we can encourage them to say, ‘I can’t do it… yet’. By celebrating effort as much as achievement, we help them build the resilience they need—not just in the classroom or sport carnivals, but in all areas of life.

Let’s continue to nurture this mindset together so that our children grow into confident, capable learners who embrace challenges with determination and enthusiasm.