Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

Fostering Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness in Our Children

At Coomera Rivers, we believe in nurturing not just academic skills, but also the emotional and social wellbeing of our students. Each day students engage in lessons that focus on being Good at Learning and Good at Life. One of the most impactful ways we can support this growth is through meaningful conversations about gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. These values are essential in helping children develop into compassionate, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.

**Gratitude** teaches children to appreciate what they have and recognise the kindness in others. When children learn to express gratitude, they develop a more positive outlook on life, which can lead to greater happiness and stronger relationships.

**Empathy** allows children to understand and share the feelings of others. By discussing empathy, we can help children to consider different perspectives and be more compassionate towards their peers. This not only builds stronger friendships but also helps in creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment.

**Mindfulness** is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. Encouraging children to be mindful helps them manage stress, focus better on their tasks, and develop a deeper understanding of their emotions. This practice can significantly enhance their learning experiences and overall wellbeing.

We encourage all families to take a few moments each day to talk with their children about these important values. Ask questions like, "What are you thankful for today?" or "How do you think your friend felt when…?" Simple conversations like these can have a lasting impact on your child’s development.

Recently several staff members recorded a GEM chat that they had with their family to share with us all.

Staff used The Resilience Project GEM chats cards to help focus their conversations. These are intended to be used in a diverse range of settings such as family dinners, road trips, or in the classroom, aiming to ignite discussions and inspire the practical use of GEM principles in daily life.

These cards can be found by accessing The Resilience Project Parent Hub.

Thank you to the P&C for sponsoring our membership to this valuable resource.

Junior School Father's Day Celebrations

Prep
Shiver me timbers! What fun was had at our annual Prep Pirate Father's Day. Students, staff and family members searched for buried treasure, created all sorts of nautical craft and generally had a swashbuckling good time.

Year 1
It was a wonderful afternoon for some games and a picnic on Wednesday, with dads and special family members and friends visiting the year 1 precinct. 

Public Holiday  Tomorrow - No School

Just a reminder that tomorrow Friday August 30th is the Gold Coast Show public holiday.

Get ready for 2025

Are your leaving us next year?

If you know that your family is leaving the school at the end of this year, can you please let Mrs Finch know, either by email or phone 55968333.  This way we can create classes on as accurate a number as possible.

Happy Father's day to all the dads in our community and all who embrace this important role. Have a lovely long weekend.

Sarah Gatti