Dear Families,

In last Sunday’s Gospel, we learn of Bartimaeus, a blind man, seeking comfort from Jesus. 

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Mark 10:46–47

Bartimaeus sets for us a wonderful example of how we should pray to the Lord. His blindness symbolises every weakness and need we may have in life. We all face struggles in our everyday experiences and need to find ways of listening to the voice of God within us to prompt us to take action.

Through our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour work, we are using simple questions with our students to promote Safety, Respect and Learning when we face challenges and are required to act or seek support.

These questions are also implemented in the classroom when redirecting students to the required learning is needed. These questions may support and scaffold conversations you have with your children at home when they are faced with challenges and need guidance in the choices they make. We are constantly learning and we know for students taking risks is key to developing confidence with new learning opportunities.

Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, tells us that reminding students that they have mastered things they once got ‘wrong’, allows them to understand their place on the learning curve and stresses that through ongoing effort and persistence they will eventually achieve. Giving valuable feedback shows students how they can grow and fuels the idea that risks are opportunity! These questions above provide one such opportunity.

Kindest Regards

Jen Gulavin