First of a series of 'special days' held at school
Umina Beach Public School has held its first "special day" for the year - Dance like a Chicken Day - on Friday, May 13.
It will be followed on Friday, May 20, with National Pizza Day where students will be able to buy two slices of pizza.
They are the first of a number of additional special days and activities planned for the year.
Principal Ms Karen Wardlaw said: "It is affirming that our planning around increasing student wellbeing and engagement reflects current research which shows how special events and celebrations have a positive impact on students' experiences of schooling and increase their sense of belonging.'
Ms Wardlaw said: "Our school wellbeing team meets regularly and one recent initiative is to look at implementing additional special days and activities throughout the year.
"Our students and teachers loved our special 'twos day' at the start of the year.
"We recognise the way that these special events help build a sense of community across our school, as well as highlighting the importance of having fun.
"It was great to ask our students to vote on the types of special events and activities they'd like to take part in this year, and our teachers were entirely guided by student voice in the final decisions."
Ms Wardlaw said that providing opportunities for students to have a say and be a part of decision-making was another way of increasing student engagement at school.
SOURCE:
Newsletter, 10 May 2022
Karen Wardlaw, Umina Beach Public School