4 August 2023

"Other People Matter"

As children move through those developmental stages of me, I, me... to looking a bit more outwards and noticing others - you - we feel we have a window to instil in them that "Other People Matter".

This phrase is not coined by me but by the late Professor Chris Petersen. Chris' work included serving as a research director of the Values in Action (VIA) project, which described, classified, and measured character strengths. This is where our work on Character Strengths comes from. Character = your thoughts + your feelings + your actions. Our whole philosophy of our Wellbeing programme is 'Do Good Feel Good or Feel Good, Do Good'. It's about others - yes it's truly about Other People Matter!

We have received some great feedback recently about the way our children speak to and treat each other - it shines out. Now of course this isn't the case ALL of the time and there is always the case for creases to be steamed or ironed out... but generally speaking - they are an exemplary bunch. As you will have heard me say before (and again and again) I'm all for s learner agency, student voice... and all of the other catch phrases AND I'm ok with all of these things as long as they come with an entree of good ol' fashioned manners and respect. This is a work in progress on some days, but what you focus on flourishes - and my goodness, the difference this focus has made is already reaping rewards! 

On Wednesday we had a visit from a Leadership team from North Canterbury. It was great to be able to share our strategic direction and local curriculum and other bits and pieces with them, and as well as many differences, also note the many similarities between a semi rural school with chickens and goats and us (albeit without the feathery and hairy friends). Prior to the pandemic we tended to be on the trail for schools out of town to visit - it's refreshing to think face-to-face connections are becoming a bit more 'normal' again. Another example I guess of "Other People Matter" in action.

Reminder: You can purchase a character strength poster for home on Kindo.