BUILDING blocks may seem like a trivial lesson for primary-school-aged children, but for Merino Consolidated School Principal, Genevieve Hulin, they are the perfect foundation for a whole-community approach to education.

The Merino school hosted 50 students from Sacred Heart and Dartmoor Primary Schools on Monday for a day of well-being and connectedness – all based around building blocks.

In 2019, after discussions with local principals and connection with the now disbanded Casterton Action Network Group, Ms Hulin determined that fundamental to good literacy and numeracy, were well-being and the wellness needs of local students.

“They need to be happy, they need to be focused and they need to be connected,” Ms Hulin said.

After securing funding from Brophy and two failed attempts due to Covid-19 restrictions last year, the Merino school was excited to final host its two neighbouring schools in a day of fun, educational activities and some practical lessons in wellness.

The Green Hat Workshop presents schools and organisations with a simple task – take a pile (literally hundreds) of identical, small wooden ‘planks’ and work together to design, create and then (the fun part!) knock down a structure, of a design limited only by imagination.

“To me it ticks so many boxes, it’s such a well-structured event,” Ms Hulin said.

There are so many academic disciplines involved – English, maths, science and then when you strip that back and focus on the science of the brain, you’re already hacking those happy chemicals.

Genevieve Hulin, Merino Consolidated School Principal

“There are so many academic disciplines involved – English, maths, science and then when you strip that back and focus on the science of the brain, you’re already hacking those happy chemicals.

“And bringing the students together as a community, that’s what’s behind it, the community element that makes you feel good, the connecting with other schools, the laughter, completing a task, problem solving and failing together.

“And there are no limits to who can benefit from this activity … you could be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or could be a farmer’s young son – you have equal footing when you come together for this activity.”

And if the squeals of delight – and groans of dismay, complete with smiley faces – are any indication of success, then Merino’s first foray into tackling wellness in the classroom is a success.