At Hillcrest Primary School, something truly special unfolded in Room 10’s Year 5 classroom. The past year was more than just another year 5 school year. It was a journey of learning, growth, and transformation. Thanks to the Ruby Tuesday Foundation’s values-driven programme, students didn’t just discuss inclusion, kindness, respect, and gratitude. They lived these values in ways that reshaped their perspectives and their hearts.
How a hands-on programme helped Year 5 students bring values to life
The Inclusive Cooking Class with Sprout Cooking School was one of the most eagerly anticipated sessions. Jessie, a Year 5 student, was overjoyed to put on an apron and immerse herself in the experience.
“Sprout was my favourite! The food was good, and it was fun cooking!”
– Jessie
But this session was about more than just food. It was a powerful lesson in teamwork and inclusion. As the student chopped, stirred, and plated their meals, they discovered that inclusion is about celebrating differences, sharing responsibilities, and ensuring everyone has a place at the table. They learnt that small, thoughtful actions can make others feel welcome.
In another hands-on session, the students created Kindness Terrariums with Botanista. As they carefully arranged soil, stones, and tiny plants, they realised that kindness, like a plant, needs care and attention to flourish.
For Aniket, this session sparked deep reflection.
“Ruby Tuesday has been fun, but the lessons also made me think about and change things in my life.”
– Aniket
This activity wasn’t just about building terrariums. It was about cultivating kindness as a daily habit. The students learnt that small, everyday acts like inviting someone to join a game or offering a kind word can grow into something much more significant, just like their miniature gardens.
Play Start Sports brought respect to life through an engaging Respect in Sports session. The students quickly realised that respect goes beyond words. It’s about actions, even in the heat of competition.
Through interactive activities, the students practised encouraging their teammates, playing fairly, and handling both wins and losses with grace. For teacher Jess, this was a standout moment.
“The activities gave students copious experiences filled with fun and learning.”
– Jess, Year 5 Teacher
Seeing students cheer each other on, offer high-fives, and demonstrate good sportsmanship made it clear that respect isn’t just something we discuss. It’s something we do.
The students explored gratitude most creatively through art. Partnering with Little Picassos, they were given a butterfly canvas and encouraged to paint what gratitude felt like to them.
For Ihita, this was the highlight of the programme.
“I enjoyed Little Picassos the most because we got to use our imagination and do art.”
– Ihita
Through expressive brushstrokes, students visually articulated their gratitude for family, friends, teachers, and the simple joys of everyday life. They discovered that gratitude is more than just saying ‘thank you’. It’s about recognising and celebrating the goodness in our lives.
Through these hands-on experiences, the Ruby Tuesday Foundation didn’t just teach values. It helped students embody them.
The lessons of inclusion, kindness, respect, and gratitude are now woven into their daily lives, influencing how they view themselves and others.
As Aniket so thoughtfully reflected, this programme didn’t just leave an impression. It inspired change. And isn’t that the true power of education?
The Ruby Tuesday Foundation walks together with the traditional custodians of this nation. In doing this we acknowledge and pay respect to elders past, present and future, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
