Instead of a dreary and nervous walk through the school gates, Clarendon Primary School started the new academic year with a colourful celebration as teachers and principal Dr Melanie Drake greeted the Grade 4 to Grade 7 ‘Clarriebags’ with vibrant balloons, music, dancing and lots of hugs.
As happy tunes filtered through the school gates, teachers sporting lumo outfits, glittery hats, tinsel pompoms and motivational banners welcomed girls and their parents with smiles and enthusiasm.
Drake said taking this new stance made all the difference and helped to diminish some of the anxiety and stress associated with the first day of school.
“This is the second time we’ve started the school year like this and we’re turning it into a bit of a tradition,” said Drake.
“Last year we also had a celebration and introduced a theme for the year. The energy, enthusiasm and message of that first day was carried out all year and it really created such a strong sisterhood and caring atmosphere between the girls.”
Ensuring that this year is just as inspiring and exciting, Drake and her team of teachers have taken on a new theme this year: Ignite Your Light.
“This year’s theme is all about acknowledging that each girl has a light – has something special and unique to offer, and even if they don’t excel in the traditional school areas, like academics or sport, they are still important,” said Drake.
“We want our girls to feel valued and loved for who they are and for them to feel supported and to feel safe to be themselves at school.”
As an advocate of producing strong, brave, empowered young women, this innovation to banish first day jitters is not the only positive change Drake has introduced in her 18 months as principal.
The school now has “mobile” classrooms with chairs and tables on wheels; modules have been transformed to incorporate more practical, research and digital exercises instead of only being theory-based; and the school’s up-and-coming discovery centre will soon be filled with top robotics teaching and learning equipment.
“It’s important to acknowledge tradition, which Clarendon has a lot of, but as educators we have to move forward,” said Drake.
“It’s crazy to see how much the world has changed and technology has advanced, but how much classrooms have stayed the same with desks and chairs in rows and teachers dictating at the front of the classroom.
“Preparing our girls to become future leaders means we have to accept that learning is messy and noisy, and that the best kind of learning happens through collaboration, not by memorising answers in parrot fashion.”..