Assistant Head of Gioia House

Leading with Character – Year 6 workshop

Our Year 6 students participated in a Leading with Character workshop on Wednesday 3 February to identify their personal strengths and encourage them to develop their leadership skills.

The day was filled with team‑building challenges and reflective activities designed to help students explore what it truly means to lead. They learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room or ‘the boss’, but about kindness, responsibility, initiative and having the courage to support others.

Students worked in mixed groups to solve problems, practise communication skills and take on roles that required cooperation and creative thinking. Many students discovered strengths they didn’t realise they had, while others found new ways to step outside their comfort zone.

By the end of the day, our Year 6 cohort walked away inspired, motivated and ready to embrace the responsibilities that come with being role models for other students. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and maturity and we look forward to seeing their leadership shine throughout the year.

Student reflections:

I enjoyed this experience because we all got to work together with all different people that we might not usually work with. They also taught us about stepping up and stepping back, and we used that strategy to do a domino task where we all had to work together so that the dominos didn’t fall. At the end of the task even though we didn’t complete it, it was still so much fun to see everyone working together and looking around to see where they could help.  
Scarlett G

I enjoyed the domino stacking aactivity because it showed us that working fast isn’t just the solution, you need to use teamwork. It also showed that it was better to work together, not alone. It also taught us about resilience, of how you need to try and not give up at all. Finally, it showed that step back and step up leadership was important.
Angela

After the experience the way I looked at leadership really changed. It taught me that sometimes the best way that you can show leadership is just by stepping down and giving  others a path to shine. The domino stacking activity helped us work with people we may not have talked to before laying the foundation for new relationships.
Amara

I really enjoyed how I got to be in a team with people I normally don’t sit or play with. It has made me understand more about them. I feel more confident to share my thoughts to others and find the right time to step up and step back. I think that the dominos activity was really fun even though we didn’t complete it, we let others have a go and we all realised that we all worked better as a team.
Lydia

Year 5 Interaction Day

On Thursday 5 February our Year 5 students participated in an Interaction Day. The purpose of the day was to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about Santa Sabina, develop their sense of belonging, form new friendships, enhance teamwork skills and collaborate with others. Students took part in a variety of activities throughout the day. 

We started our day learning more about Santa Sabina and our Dominican heritage. This session was led by our Outreach Coordinator, Ms Sulis, who shared some interesting facts and information. The students engaged in discussion and asked insightful questions. The students also identified what it means to be a Gioia House Action Girl and in small groups identified the qualities of an Action Girl.

The Sports team building session was organised by our Primary Sports Coordinator, Mr Dunlop. Students got involved in obstacle course activities and other team sports where they needed to trust and encourage each other to succeeed.

Students then participated in a Lego-building listening exercise, identifying how important it is to give the right information and listen carefully to each other. Students were also placed in small teams to develop a strategy to build a cup structure with string and elastic bands, students were not able to use their hands. It was great to see the different ways each team went about finding a solution by communicating and supporting each other to build the cup towers. 

The afternoon Drama workshop was led by Mr Freeman. Students were placed into groups and asked to complete a variety of drama tasks. At the end of the day, we reflected on the new connections which were made and identified ways we will continue to strengthen the new friendships and find opportunities to reach out to others. 

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House