Showing GRIT in the St Charles College Junior Primary. Your Fantastic Elastic Brain – This book shows children how the brain is flexible and can be shaped by things we do each day. To improve our own fantastic elastic brains, the Author, JoHann Deak suggests we try new things, do things differently, solve problems and even make mistakes, because this is how we stretch the brain. When things are hard, we tend to avoid them. By teaching children about their brain, we can teach them that by doing hard things, pushing through challenges and overcoming setbacks, we allow the brain to grow in new and different ways. A growth mindset is the belief that we can improve through hard work and determination. A pre-requisite for a growth mindset in children, is valuable relationships that exhibit empathy. Empathy allows teachers to establish positive relationships with students that send messages where a child feels valued despite their score, that they can learn with enough effort and determination, and that we are here to help.

Grit

As the year goes on, we aim to motivate and encourage our boys to show GRIT, guts, resilience, initiative and tenacity, as they work through challenges and disappointments. If we are successful in educating the whole child, we can shape their mindset. Our mindset shapes what we do, how we think about our experiences and opportunities, and our failures define the actions we take. Our desire is to help our boys think positively and empower themselves. – Mrs Lauren Riley (Head of Junior Primary)

Photo credit: Saysha Baker