Thanks to our new Head of Junior School Allison Prandolini, birthdays have become even more special at the St Kilda Road Campus with the introduction of her new Birthday Meetings program.
In their birthday week, each child is invited to spend a short, individual moment with Allison - a small but intentional way to build connection with them to ensure they experience at least one positive and welcoming visit to her office each year.
‘These meetings provide time to connect, listen and acknowledge each child for who they are,’ says Allison. ‘For some students, this may be their first time visiting my office, and I want this space to be associated with warmth, care and genuine interest in them as learners and people.’ The idea is that over time, these brief interactions help to strengthen trust and foster a sense of belonging across our Junior School community.
During the birthday meeting, students get to choose from a small lucky dip. The emphasis is not on the item itself, but on the values behind the experience: If a child selects something that isn’t quite what they were hoping for, they’re encouraged to think about who else might appreciate it and pass it on. This creates a simple, authentic opportunity to practise gratitude, kindness and thoughtful decision-making.
As it happens, Elsa from Year 2 was quite happy with her birthday surprise. ‘I really like my toy,’ she beamed. ‘I felt happy in Ms Prandolini’s office – because it’s my birthday!’
