APA News

One of the highlights of my days at St Saviour’s are the many conversations and interactions I have with students.  The openness students have to sharing their joys, fears, interests and thinking is always a sign to me that they are keen to connect and feel comfortable to share.

As a former Early Years teacher, I recall many show and share stories from students that would make me laugh, as well as often feel embarrassed for parents of some of the ‘over sharerers’!  Younger students are often still learning the concept of boundaries. Older colleagues would often suggest sharing with parents a well-used phrase, I won’t believe half the stories your child shares about home, if you do the same for the stories they share about me and school.  I am not condoning keeping secrets, or filtering what is shared, however when only one side of a story is heard without considering perspectives around a situation, assumptions can easily be made.  I would always encourage you as a parent that if you hear stories from your child that trouble you or doesn’t sound quite right, to reach out to their teacher.   Likewise, teachers will do the same for you.  Ultimately, when we assume good intentions of each other and work collaboratively in the best interests of the child, student outcomes are tremendously improved.

Similarly, circumstances that occur outside of school for students, such as when they are unwell, upheavals and shifts in home life and changes in routines can have a significant impact on how students present at school. Sharing this kind of information with teachers is really appreciated, as it can be the missing link a teacher needs to understand the behaviour of students, and how best they may be able to help them.  

We are exploring many concepts as we develop the relationship domain of our wellbeing framework.  Compassionate curiosity is a way of being that we are striving for.  Guided by our Mercy value we are inspired as a community to show up for each other with a compassionate heart, and an openness to hear and validate each other’s stories. 

Katie Hauser