One of the happiest times during the learning week for Class 1 the Sun Rose is our ‘together’ time with Buddy Class 5L (Linda). On our ‘Yellow Day’ the Rainbow Buddy Bird flies into our room and sits way up high on the wooden beam and sings the most wonderful song – it is the song that tells us it can see our buddies walking from the most far away Primary classroom and that we must pack away our Main Lesson learning and form a circle for our buddies to join us. It is amazing how quickly and efficiently Class 1 can transition with such excitement and ease on Buddy Day – clearly the most enjoyable time of the week!
The aim of this program is to offer each student the opportunity to develop a relationship, with an ‘elder’, of warmth, trust, love and respect. With these delicious ingredients we have been able to consistently gather each week to embrace a variety of adventures and skills that have supported Class 1 to begin their Primary journey with such ease and satisfaction.
This unique Shearwater opportunity brings a joy-filled rhythm to our week and is deeply nourishing - full of warmth, laughter and discovery. Together with our buddies, we exchange conversations, questions, skills and joy.
Life Guides, Linda (Class 5) and Rin (Class 1) work together to bring weekly activities that enable the students to go out into the unique School nature land and make artworks, sing Shearwater songs, practice class skills, listen to stories, play and deeply connect through body language and conversations. Recently we walked over to the school Farm to observe nature and discuss all of the changes since the return from the winter holidays. As the sweet wattles danced under a blanket of blue Class 1 were introduced to ‘the magic liquorice tree’. ‘It really tastes like liquorice’ said Class 1 as they were gifted one leaf each to chew on.
We believe in the deep power of learning life skills through being together and we know these friendships are true and will travel with us far and wide throughout our Primary School journey and beyond.
Rin Dorczak
Class 1 Teacher