REACH Character Development in the Junior School

REACH By Mrs Jessica Galbraith, Prep to Year 3 Coordinator Character Development in the Junior School

Being a kind person is fundamental to the growth

of a successful person. Adults in our young men’s lives have a responsibility to model and teach the importance of respect, accepting and acknowledging our need to contribute to society in a positive and meaningful way.

In 2016, the Junior School staff felt there was a need to create a program that allowed us to develop the character of the boys in the Junior School. Tailoring a program to meet our boys’ needs rather than a generic one allows staff to change the program as required. After many hours of brainstorming relevant virtues which would help our boys learn to behave as fine young men, we developed the acronym REACH (Respect, Engagement, Awareness, Communication and Humility).

Staff feel that children appreciate the safe environment that occurs when they learn about respect, honesty, and compassion alongside their peers. The development of character enhances the boys’ learning in the classroom as they begin to exhibit virtues like patience, diligence, and self-control. Through regular discussions and activities in whole school, classroom, small group and one-on-one environments, students develop their understanding of what is required of them and others when functioning in society.

The teaching and understanding of the five attributes of REACH are different according to the age of the students. A student who starts in Prep will build on this understanding throughout their time in the Junior School whilst older students model to younger students how particular behaviours look in the classroom, playground, performance and sporting fields.

For example, Hugo in Prep explains ‘Respect is when you look at the person who is speaking’. Charlie in Year 6 feels ‘Respect is generally when boys show good manners like waiting for teachers to finish conversations before speaking with them’.

Each fortnight the staff acknowledges and recognises students who have been demonstrating characteristics of one of the REACH attributes at the weekly assembly by way of a certificate and book voucher. We know that this development of character will help shape our young boys into fine young men.

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about Junior School Care & Wellbeing at TGS

Charlie Pollock, David Kim, John Miller and Mrs Jessica Galbraith

Ayaansh Bhardwaj and Frank Laughlin