Helping everyone feel they belong in the Pre-Prep Happy Hub
In Pre-Prep Happy Hub this week, a very special visitor prompted an important conversation about belonging.
Bob the Minion joined a small group of Year 1 and Year 2 children and bravely admitted that he was feeling sad. When the children gently asked why, Bob explained that he didn’t feel that he belonged anywhere.
The children were quick to offer reassurance and ideas. One thoughtful suggestion was that Bob should wear a Rupert House lanyard — because being part of a school community, and having friends around you, is an important way to feel that you belong.
This led to a lovely discussion about what belonging means to each of them. The children drew around their hands and filled them with words and pictures representing the places and people who make them feel secure and valued: family, friends, school, rugby club and other activities they cherish. They spoke warmly about how lucky they feel to be part of loving families, to have kind friends and to belong to the Rupert House community.
The group even helped Bob by naming members of his family and inviting him to join their creative activity. By the end of the session, Bob the Minion was feeling much happier, having experienced first-hand the power of inclusion and kindness.
It was a thoughtful and heartwarming session, reminding us all how important it is to help children recognise — and celebrate — the many places where they truly belong.
