A Learning Adventure
How are our littlest learners adjusting to School life? This was one of Principal, Ms Douglas’ first questions in her second week at Wenona, demonstrating her commitment to every student’s wellbeing, from Kindergarten through to Year 12.
What she learned in conversation with the Kindergarten teachers has gone on to provide inspiration for our whole School community.
She touched on this experience in Senior School Assembly, reminding us that embracing curiosity can transform learning and life outcomes.
“I always enjoy spending time with our youngest students and in this case, their teachers were encouraging them to share their ‘wonderings’ about School life, rather than dwelling on first-day anxieties.”
Among the varied wonderings that emerged was Lucy's: "What does it feel like to read?". "This wasn't a question about capability or difficulty," Ms Douglas explained. "It was pure wondering about the experience itself. And what happened next was remarkable."
The Kindergarten students decided to seek wisdom from the Year 1s who had already mastered this skill. The older girls’ responses were profound in their simplicity. "It's peaceful. It's like I'm dreaming," shared Stella. "It fills me with confidence," Olivia offered. Then came Sadie's insight, which Ms Douglas noted would delight our English department: "Be ready. Because reading, well, it feels quite emotional. In fact, I can feel the feelings racing through my entire body."
The inquiry extended further when Deputy Principal (Staff), Ms Nicole Timbrell, joined the conversation, sharing with Kindergarten how their questions made her realise that reading is a privilege − something we often take for granted once mastered.
In both her Junior School and Senior School Assembly addresses, Ms Douglas then drew parallels between this Kindergarten experience and the picture book, What Do You Do With a Chance?, by Kobi Yamada. The story explores the challenge of embracing new opportunities despite our fears.
"The young child in the story learns that while it's natural to feel overwhelmed or afraid of new chances, the key is letting excitement become bigger than fear," Ms Douglas explained. "As someone once told me, 'Don't think that courage means you have to roar like a lion.' Courage can be that little voice inside your head saying, 'It's okay, I can do this, I can give it a try.'"
She concluded by challenging the Senior School students to approach their own learning with similar curiosity. "As we all start this new year, moving from the known to the unknown, I hope you will embrace the chances that come your way and let excitement outweigh fear − just as Lucy is doing as she begins her reading journey."
It was an opportunity for us all to reflect on an essential truth: that maintaining a sense of wonder and embracing new challenges with curiosity rather than fear are powerful ways to enrich our journey, at any stage of our lives.