The development of social skills and a positive mindset are essential for all young people.  To support this process each year we run the PALS program which forms part of our Pastoral Care Policy (incorporating Anti-Bullying).

The teachers at Lindfield have collaboratively developed the PALS program (with input from past Year 6 students) to bring together current research on the importance of well-being, social skill development and resilience, and our observations of the needs of our boys.  This is a program that continues to evolve and develop each year in consultation with staff and students.

A summary of the PALS program is located on the Lindfield Learning Page SPACES and can be found by clicking here.

The PALS program also provides a leadership opportunity for our Year 6 boys as they are given the chance to lead teaching sessions with each of the other classes.  In addition to these lessons, there is at least one other weekly session (often in the form of ‘Circle Time’) to allow teachers to consolidate the skill or attitude that has been introduced.

As a part of this program and our focus on the development of appropriate social skills and anti-bullying behaviours and attitudes we will be focusing on the concept of R-E-S-P-E-C-T and to ensure that there is ownership of this program (as with PALS and our focus on HAPPY last year) we have involved the boys in developing the language and features of this program.

The RESPECT acronym that we have collaboratively developed is designed to be addressed sequentially and to appropriately (age dependent) build knowledge of the concept of RESPECT and the characteristics that are necessary to be a respectful learner and person.  Each week, the teachers and boys will reflect on these characteristics and how they are, and can be, demonstrated in our daily lives.

R: ecognise

E: xpress

S: ensitive

P: ositive

E: arn

C: ourtesy

T: rust

The next step is to find ‘Mr Respect’ and the boys have been tasked with the job of designing a character to lead us this year! We’ll keep you posted!

As always your support of our programs at school and home is greatly appreciated.