Mentone Grammar students making the most of lockdown

Home stay hasn’t dampened the spirits of Mentone Grammar students, with the beachside school encouraging its kids to spread positivity and stay connected. And they’ve embraced everything from virtual book clubs to footpath messaging.

Harrison (Year 3) has been creating chalk drawings with beautiful messages such as “In this together” to keep people smiling on their walks in Mentone.

It’s a time of their lives when they should be out running amok, having sleep overs or playing sport, instead school students are cooped up in lockdown.

But rather than get too down about their school holidays being spent inside, Mentone Grammar students are inspiring with their positive approach to the tricky times they find themselves in.

Principal of the school Mal Cater said the school community is “an incredibly important source of support” during any challenging time.

“I have been so proud of the way our students, staff and families have responded and adapted to the changing environment by supporting each other, maintaining a positive outlook and being adaptable,” he said.

“Our students have benefited a great deal from this cohesive approach which provides them with a much-needed sense of security and calm.”

Harrison (Year 3) has been creating chalk drawings with beautiful messages.

Ethan (Year 11) has purchased an advanced Lego set and is using this to break up his VCE study sessions

Have you been doing anything interesting, quirky or fun to keep busy these school holidays? Email [e-mail] to share.

Mr Cater said given the social isolation measures, school holidays were a challenging time for families.

“Our School has been working with families to provide wellbeing resources to help students maintain a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle over the break,” he said.

“Our students have been using the time at home to engage in mindfulness, physical activity, tactile games, social service and home projects like gardening, cooking and crafts – which is really good for their mental wellbeing.”

One of the initiatives taken by some of the school’s Year 8 girls has been to start an online book club.

Naomi White, a Year 8 English teacher at Mentone Grammar, said the online book club had been a good way for students to interact with each other over the break.

“We’ve also been able to talk about the current situation and the importance of being kind and looking after one another,” she said.

Mentone Grammar student Hannah is part of a group of students who started an online book club.

Brothers Xavier (Prep) and Lachlan (Year 2) have gone back to basics, their mum said.

“Doing things like board games (Monopoly Junior is the family favourite at the moment) and the boys have rekindled their love of Lego and are making all kinds of creations,” she said.

“Each day we get outside on the beach to exercise and the boys’ newest hobby is skateboarding, so we go up and down the street on skateboards each day and they’re improving so much.

“The days I’m spending being present with my kids I will treasure and I hope will be their memories of this period.”

Lachlan K (Year 2) and Xavier K (Prep) have gone back to basics with Lego, board games and skateboarding

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With a Term 2 return still up in the air, Mr Cater said Mentone Grammar is prepared for remote learning if need be.

“During the last week of term, our staff delivered an incredibly successful off-site learning environment for students,” he said.

“Sensing that the school would need to undertake an off-site learning program the staff rallied to put in place effective strategies to ensure that each year level could continue on with their learning.

“The roll out has been highly effective with meaningful learning and wellbeing programs delivered during the last week of Term 1.”