Middle School
2022 – Another year, another challenge! Today I smiled at the students as they came through
what we could do to help our students settle in and
the gates. I smiled at the barista making coffee at
get to know each other. The solution was to run
Maggie’s and I smiled at the staff as they hurried off to
“Connection Days.” These saw the Year 7 and Year 9
class. Every smile was met with nothing but eyes, no
cohorts go out of school for the day and work in groups
smile. Or perhaps it was met with a smile – I couldn’t
to get to know their peers without the limitations of
tell behind the masks.
the masks.
2022 has started with a mask mandate, and while the
The Year 7 students headed to the Groynes and competed
rest of the world has been there, done that, this was
in Orienteering activities and team building games set
a new challenge for us in Middle School. We quickly
up by the Year 7 Dean, Nicole Lloyd. Year 9 headed off
noticed that alongside the hot, itchy, hard to breathe
on an amazing race around the city for the morning and
discomfort yet lifesaving ability of the mask, a new
House games in the Botanic Gardens for the afternoon,
challenge emerged, communication!
organised by the Year 9 Dean, Dr Sarah Hickford.
When we communicate we use both words and facial
Both days were full of laughter, fun, getting to know
expressions and we use our whole face to interpret what
new people and a change from the classroom setting.
is being said. Psychologist Rebecca Brewer recently
The chance to share in a mask-free experience meant
told the BBC: “When we cannot see the whole face,
new connections could be fostered and the students
such holistic processing is disrupted. Now, a simple
could see the faces behind the masks. These days
“thank you” can trip us up. Without a smile to guide
helped the transition into school greatly and many new
us, it’s difficult to determine whether that’s a genuine
friendships were formed.
show of appreciation or a sarcastic comment.” The intent and interpretation of spoken communication
moment, but we can remind ourselves to use all of our
can now be as confusing as text messages, a real
communication skills, our eyes, our tone of voice and
challenge for our new students transitioning into St
gesture, and maybe we can hone our listening skills
Margaret’s College.
– perhaps a benefit to mask wearing might be we all
We have a wonderful pastoral care team who saw this
12
We know that not every day can be mask-free at the
problem and immediately swung into action to see
become better communicators. Kathryn Gray, Head of Middle School
