Our pioneer Stage 3 class reached the end of 2025 tunnel with mixed emotions, as did their teacher.
I commenced teaching Year 5/6 in August as their previous teacher took maternity leave. I was blessed to be left with magnificent programs, resources and a teacher aide who has a wonderful rapport with each of the students and a thorough knowledge of class relationships and special interests.
As a parent, all I wanted for my children was for them to feel safe - to speak up if needed, to ask questions, to be themselves, to have meaningful relationships with others. If this could be achieved, fingers crossed, happiness would follow. I can see this is happening in Year 5/6 and there are many reasons for this success.
At the beginning of the year there were a myriad of feelings for our pioneers who were not only starting at a new school, but their future secondary school as a student of a Stage 3 class. There were hiccups and challenges but looking at the group in Term 4 they are happy, they enjoy being with each other and pleasingly they also want to be friends with others, of which a number of them have established friendships with a few of our junior high school students. These friendships came about as a result of structured sessions like the lunchtime clubs that provide both parallel play and face to face interaction, joining Year 7 Science classes and sharing access to different areas of the school. There have also been many organic opportunities where interaction was possible; waiting in line to buy something from the Mini Woolies, waiting to buy a milkshake from the Hospitality kitchen, going to the library for quiet time and finding other like-minded souls who appreciate the shared silence or quiet banter while colouring in, completing a puzzle or playing a game.
Stage 3 students have been included in school events such as assemblies, carnivals or camps. These can be challenging but with teacher assistance, students have worked out how they can help themselves to be a part of these events and feel safe.
At St Edmund’s there is a genuine respect for others amongst students and teachers. There are a number of reasons for this; teacher modelling, ongoing and predictable delivery of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through the school rules and the SoSAFE program, an SEL program designed for students with additional needs. Whole school delivery through daily Home Room, weekly Pastoral Care lessons and fortnightly House Groups has helped our Stage 3 class to have knowledge of school rules and appropriate ways that they can keep themselves and others safe using the common language provided by these structures.
Specialist secondary teachers have openly shared their knowledge and expertise, facilitating engaging and interesting lessons for our pioneers. Using resources that match interests and different styles of learning in Stage 3 has provided a conduit to the acquisition of new knowledge.
Working to the high school timetable has been very effective and students now transition seamlessly between classes and break times. It is rewarding to watch them independently navigate the school environment throughout their day. They read timetables, take note of changes and remind me when I get it “wrong”.
Our Stage 3 class has successfully pioneered! Our Year 6 students are ready to take on Year 7 and our Year 5 students will no doubt help to lead the new Stage 3 students who will join us in 2026. We look forward to these new challenges with our trusty tried and tested strategies in our toolbox.
Michelle Le Patourel | Year 5/6 Teacher
