lrk’s blog

Ursula Hellier is an experienced integration aide at Selby Primary School and also the artistic talent behind many of the colourful creations on display at the school.

She is the creator of many of the colourful and engaging visual messages around the school that support the school’s philosophy and teachers’ belief in the importance of positive mesages and recognition of children’s achievements across a range of areas.

The ‘You Can Do It’ program is a professional development package that teachers completed and is used across the school. It focuses on boosting students’ self-esteem through recognition of their achievements and understanding how to achieve their potential. A wonderful paint and foam creation dominates the school’s foyer reminding teachers and students of the importnace of confidence, organisation and so on.

When teachers at the school wanted to recognise children for their achievements, they took the idea to the Grade 5 and 6 children to ask them what they wanted. Would they wear a button if it was presented to them? The children asked for small buttons that could be given to them privately, not at school assembly.

So Ursula went to work and created a wonderful range of buttons that recognise students’ achievements across all areas of the curriculum, in leadership, behaviour and attitude, and so on. They are kept in plastic jars in the print room where teachers can easily access them to pass onto a child.

One of the fun things about the buttons is the acronym for the achievement is given prominence in the middle of the design, with the full wording in small text around the outside of the button.

There’s G.A.E….. and P.A.A……. and T.C.K……. and R.R.W……. and M.A.M……

Now if you just HAVE to know what these acronyms stand for, you’ll have to ask a child at Selby Primary School or contact Ursula via the school’s website