We all want our boys to be successful, however, success looks different to everyone.  Although, one fact is universal – Real success is impossible without building great relationships. Real success is only possible when you treat other people with kindness, regard, and respect.

In Stage one our first Unit of Inquiry has had our boys thinking about the relationships they have: What are relationships? How do our actions shape relationships? How can we build and maintain relationships?

In Year 1 and Year 2 we have engaged the boys in a range of experiences to develop their understanding of their role in the relationships they have.

Boys used plasticine to create figurines of the people they have relationships with.  We combined classes and held gallery conferences between the boys where each described the figurines they had created and asked questions of each other.  Not only were the boys sharing their thinking but talking to each other and being active listeners.  This was also an opportunity for the development of the boys communication skills (another key element of a successful relationship).

What we wanted to see in the boys was a mindful shift in the way they relate to each other.  Some of our favourite moments from this UoI was the boys’ enthusiasm to write letters of appreciation and thanks to each other, their family and adults at our school.  They all could recognise how their actions made a positive impact on the other person and the glow they felt inside too.

We were doing such a good job of being great friends in Junior Primary that it became time to fix up the “big boys”.  We set the boys the mission of observing the play of the primary boys at lunchtime. We found the perfect surveillance spot at the top of the pool steps.  We collected this data and found that loneliness was an issue JP had to tackle.

Our final step in this unit was to create a campaign to stop loneliness at Newington College and display them around our school.

Carol Peterson – Teacher Year 2