Foundation and Year 1 students with Kialla CFA’s Gina Sozzi and Geoff Stone.
Showing gratitude to emergency services by offering personnel morning tea on Thank a First Responder Day is a valuable exercise. Doubling it up as a learning opportunity further increases its value.
School captain Gemma Humphrey, Sarah Jones, Nacole Standfield, Gina Sozzi, Matthew Condy, Geoff Stone and school captain Matilda Lines.
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On June 11, the annual national day of gratitude — which was established in 2019 as a way to publicly express gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of first responders across the country who are there for Australians every day — Kialla Central Primary School hosted members from local services for a cuppa to show their appreciation for all they do in the local community.
Year 5 and 6 students with Kialla CFA’s Geoff Stone.
First responders are everyday people with families, friends, commitments and homes to go to at the end of their working day, yet they often put their lives and mental health on the line to protect their communities.
The not-for-profit organisation that founded Thank a First Responder Day, Fortem, says “the power of gratitude can have an extraordinary impact on wellbeing and mental health”.
Shepparton police, Ambulance Victoria (Shepparton), Shepparton Search and Rescue and the Kialla CFA were all invited to the school for some sweet baked treats.
Kialla Central Primary School’s Playgroup also joined the fun.
But before the cake was cut, the guests showcased their equipment, expo-style, to the keenly interested primary school students and playgroup members.
Year 3 and 4 with Search and Rescue’s Nacole Standfield.
“Our students have embraced the day by dressing up as a first responder or someone who helps us in the community,” Kialla Central Primary School principal Debbie Humphries said.
“Special events such as these, as well as the other community service activities our students are involved in, are important.
“It provides them with the opportunity to show their appreciation and encourage them to give back to their community when they are old enough to do so, either as a volunteer or in their chosen profession.”
The whole school says thank you to first responders.
