Two of our third year University of Sydney occupational therapy students, Vicky and Naomi, reflect on their recent placement at Harwood Island Public School, including introducing the kids to Mindfulness Mondays!
We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had the privilege of spending eight weeks at Harwood Island Public School, where we were greeted with warmth and support from the amazing students and staff. Initially, we felt a bit apprehensive about our first rural placement, but our worries quickly dissipated as we received immediate guidance from UCRH and our supervisor.
During our time at HIPS, we conducted individual sessions and primarily push-in sessions, focusing on areas such as handwriting, emotional regulation, attention and concentration, social skills, and sensory processing skills. We also implemented initiatives such as Mindfulness Monday and established an emotional regulation group tailored to students who exhibited challenges in this area. Additionally, our Quality Improvement (QI) project centred around creating structured and consistent ‘Calm Down Corners’ in each classroom.
Beyond our roles as OT students, we embraced the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local community. We became avid touch footy players, beach enthusiasts, kayakers, and connoisseurs of local cuisine. The chance to explore the breath-taking Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers region enriched our placement experience in the most wonderful way.
We are truly grateful for the time we spent at HIPS and the valuable experiences and memories we gained. The support we received, the connections we forged, and the personal growth we experienced will undoubtedly shape our journey as occupational therapists.
Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash
