The School of Play Curriculum
Secondary School
Week Sixteen brings a vibrant mix of teamwork, gratitude, fitness, and creativity to energise students and strengthen classroom connection. Through activities like Buzz Three or More, students practise concentration, mental agility, and collaborative problem-solving as they work together toward a shared counting goal. Physical fitness and teamwork are further woven throughout the session with activities like Deck of Cards Racing, where students cheer one another on, build group momentum, and experience the joy of active, friendly competition. These tasks promote quick thinking, positivity, and group cohesion.
This week also invites students into meaningful gratitude and creative expression. In The Gratitude Game, students pause to reflect on positive experiences and develop an appreciation for the good moments within their day. Creativity takes centre stage with Mr. Squiggle Gratitude, where students transform simple shapes into expressive artwork inspired by gratitude reflections. Together, these activities nurture imagination, emotional well-being, and supportive communication, helping students grow socially, mentally, and physically while strengthening the bonds within the group.
Weekly Lessons
Buzz Three or More
Buzz Three or More is a fast-paced cooperative counting game that challenges groups to stay focused, think quickly, and work together to reach a shared goal. Players take turns counting aloud while following a special “buzz rule,” where certain numbers, multiples of a chosen number or those containing a specific digit, must be replaced with the word “buzz.” The physical element of holding a squat and standing on buzz numbers adds an energising fitness twist, keeping everyone engaged both mentally and physically.
The game creates a fun, high-energy atmosphere filled with teamwork, communication, laughter, and collective problem-solving. Because the group restarts whenever a mistake is made, players naturally support one another, celebrate progress, and stay motivated to beat their previous best. Buzz Three or More is ideal as a warm-up, team-building activity, or classroom energiser, and is easily adaptable for different group sizes, ages, and learning goals.
Respectful Relationships
Understanding & Promoting Equality
- Ensures all players contribute equally to the counting sequence, regardless of ability, creating a shared responsibility for group success.
- Provides every participant with the same opportunity to lead, follow, support, and reset the game, promoting fairness and equal participation.
- Reinforces that mistakes are part of the game and are treated equally for everyone, helping to create an inclusive and non-judgmental environment.
Building Healthy Relationships
- Fosters a strong sense of collaboration as players must work together to reach a shared goal of counting without mistakes.
- Builds trust by encouraging players to help each other remember rules, stay focused, and reset positively when errors occur.
- Strengthens social bonds through shared laughter, group rhythm, and collective effort, enhancing connection among participants.
Developing Communication Skills
- Encourages clear verbal communication as players articulate numbers, “buzz” responses, or category prompts with accuracy and confidence.
- Enhances listening skills, as students must focus closely on the sequence and respond appropriately to maintain the flow of the game.
- Promotes constructive communication during resets, allowing players to regroup, encourage each other, and restart without blame.
Enhancing Social & Emotional Intelligence
- Strengthens self-regulation as students manage emotions around mistakes, pressure, or restarts while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Promotes empathy as players support peers who feel nervous or make mistakes, reinforcing kindness and encouragement.
- Helps students recognise the collective nature of success, developing awareness of how their actions influence group feelings and outcomes.
Challenging Stereotypes
- Shows that quick thinking and mental agility are not tied to academic ability, confidence, gender, or social status, anyone can excel.
- Breaks the stereotype that group activities require competitiveness by emphasising cooperation over individual performance.
- Demonstrates that leadership can be shared, fluid, and inclusive, challenging the idea that only outspoken or dominant personalities can guide group tasks.
Recognising Rights
- Reinforces students’ right to feel safe making mistakes without ridicule or judgment, supporting emotional safety in group activities.
- Encourages respectful interactions where all students feel heard, valued, and included regardless of pace, confidence level, or skill.
- Highlights the responsibility to support team members, uphold fairness, and contribute positively to the group’s shared goal.
The Gratitude Game
The Gratitude Game is a simple, uplifting reflection activity designed to help players end their day on a positive note. Using a dice to select questions, participants share meaningful reflections about the good moments in their day, what they did well, what they learned, who they helped, or what they’re looking forward to. The game encourages mindful thinking, helping players shift their focus toward gratitude, personal wins, and positive experiences.
Perfect for classrooms, families, or small groups, this game strengthens relationships through open conversation and shared appreciation. Players listen, encourage, and celebrate one another’s reflections, creating a warm and supportive environment. Optional Post-it notes can be used to build a Gratitude Wall, offering a powerful visual reminder of the positives in everyone’s lives. The Gratitude Game is an easy, meaningful way to boost happiness, connection, and well-being.
Respectful Relationships
Understanding & Promoting Equality
- Ensures every participant, regardless of confidence level or background, has an equal opportunity to share their reflections and be heard.
- Creates a safe and inclusive structure where each person contributes at the same rate through simple dice-based selection, levelling the playing field.
- Encourages equal participation by valuing every voice and personal experience, reinforcing that all reflections are meaningful and respected.
Building Healthy Relationships
- Strengthens connections through positive conversations that highlight personal achievements, kindness, and shared joy within the group.
- Nurtures trust as participants openly express gratitude, allowing others to understand and appreciate their feelings and daily experiences.
- Promotes kindness by celebrating one another’s wins, reinforcing caring behaviours that support emotionally healthy relationships.
Developing Communication Skills
- Encourages clear verbal expression as participants articulate their reflections in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
- Strengthens active listening as students focus on their peers’ positive experiences, acknowledging and responding with empathy.
- Builds confidence in speaking about emotions and personal experiences, an important foundation for healthy communication.
Enhancing Social & Emotional Intelligence
- Encourages emotional awareness as students identify what went well in their day and recognise their own growth.
- Builds empathy as participants listen deeply to others’ gratitude reflections and celebrate their successes.
- Supports resilience by helping students reframe challenges, focusing on positives that uplift emotional well-being.
Challenging Stereotypes
- Normalises open conversation about emotions for all genders and personalities, countering stereotypes around emotional expression.
- Shows that gratitude and reflection benefit everyone, not just certain personality types or academically inclined students.
- Demonstrates that leadership is expressed through kindness and reflection, not dominance or loudness.
Recognising Rights
- Reinforces students’ right to feel safe, valued, and respected when sharing personal reflections.
- Encourages responsibility in treating others’ stories with care, empathy, and confidentiality when needed.
- Promotes respectful interactions by creating a culture where everyone’s positive experiences and emotions are honoured.
Deck of Cards Racing
Deck of Cards Racing is a fast-paced, team-based fitness challenge that blends movement, teamwork, and the excitement of chance. Each team represents a suit from a deck of cards, and as cards are drawn, teams race to move their ‘ace’ along the course while completing short bursts of exercise. With every card flip bringing a new opportunity to advance, teams must work together, stay motivated, and give their best effort to propel their ace forward. The added option to share something they’re grateful for each time they progress adds a meaningful reflective element to the game.
Perfect for energising groups of all sizes, Deck of Cards Racing encourages positive competition, communication, and collective fitness. The unpredictability of the card draws keeps everyone engaged, while the exercises ensure an active and dynamic experience. The game builds team spirit, strengthens relationships, and gets hearts pumping, all while creating a fun, supportive, and motivating atmosphere.
Respectful Relationships
Understanding & Promoting Equality
- Ensures every student participates equally, as all teams complete the same exercises and follow the same rules regardless of fitness levels or abilities.
- Creates a fair environment where progress depends on random card draws rather than popularity, speed, or athletic dominance.
- Reinforces that every team member contributes equally to the race’s success, promoting shared responsibility and inclusive engagement.
Building Healthy Relationships
- Strengthens team connections as students motivate one another, celebrate movement forward, and support each other during exercises.
- Encourages cooperation through shared goals, helping teams experience success and challenges together in a positive way.
- Promotes emotional safety as students practise encouraging language and constructive support, reinforcing caring and respectful relationships.
Developing Communication Skills
- Encourages verbal communication as teams strategise, motivate one another, and coordinate responsibilities during the game.
- Develops active listening as students respond to their teammates’ ideas, encouragement, and shared goals.
- Builds clarity and confidence in communication through teamwork, celebration, and expressing gratitude when moving forward.
Enhancing Social & Emotional Intelligence
- Helps students recognise and regulate emotions related to competition, such as excitement, disappointment, or anticipation.
- Builds empathy as students support teammates who may struggle with exercises or need encouragement.
- Encourages gratitude and positive reflection through the gratitude challenge, helping students connect emotionally with their team.
Challenging Stereotypes
- Counters stereotypes that fitness or competitive games favour certain genders or athletic abilities by creating inclusive, accessible challenges for all.
- Highlights that leadership in teamwork is collaborative and communicative, not based on physical strength or dominance.
- Demonstrates that boys and girls can equally contribute to team success through effort, encouragement, and strategy.
Recognising Rights
- Reinforces every student’s right to feel safe, included, and respected during physical activity.
- Promotes responsibility for respectful behaviour, ensuring teams compete fairly and kindly with one another.
- Supports students’ right to participate at their own pace while valuing others’ efforts, abilities, and boundaries.
Mr Squiggle Gratitude
Mr Squiggle Gratitude is a fun, creative, and deeply reflective activity that encourages students to express gratitude through imaginative drawing. Inspired by the classic Australian TV character Mr Squiggle, participants transform random lines and shapes into meaningful artwork that represents their response to a gratitude-focused question. This playful challenge blends creativity with emotional reflection, helping students think deeply about the positive people, moments, and experiences in their lives.
Perfect for classrooms, workshops, or family groups, this activity fosters connection, conversation, and joy as participants share their drawings and the stories behind them. Mr Squiggle Gratitude not only sparks creativity and laughter but also opens the door to meaningful conversations about appreciation, kindness, and the good things we often take for granted. It’s a simple yet profound way to bring gratitude to life through art.
Respectful Relationships
Understanding & Promoting Equality
- Ensures all students participate equally, as every person receives the same sheet and the same opportunity to express gratitude creatively, no artistic skill or confidence required.
- Creates a safe and inclusive environment where every drawing and interpretation is valued, reducing comparison and promoting acceptance of diverse perspectives.
- Reinforces that all voices and stories matter equally, allowing each participant to contribute gratitude reflections that are personally meaningful.
Building Healthy Relationships
- Strengthens interpersonal bonds as students share the stories behind their drawings, creating authentic moments of connection and appreciation.
- Encourages empathy by allowing students to hear about the meaningful people and experiences valued by their peers.
- Promotes a culture of kindness as students respond positively and respectfully to each other’s creative expressions and gratitude reflections.
Developing Communication Skills
- Builds verbal communication skills as students explain how their drawing represents their gratitude response.
- Enhances active listening as peers engage with each other’s stories, encouraging curiosity and respectful dialogue.
- Supports confidence in self-expression by giving students a safe forum to share personal reflections in a creative and non-intimidating way.
Enhancing Social & Emotional Intelligence
- Deepens emotional awareness as students reflect on meaningful people, moments, and experiences that bring gratitude into their lives.
- Fosters empathy as students learn to appreciate and understand the positive influences experienced by others.
- Strengthens self-awareness as students explore why certain experiences matter to them and how gratitude impacts their overall well-being.
Challenging Stereotypes
- Breaks down stereotypes around artistic ability, showing that creativity belongs to everyone and doesn’t follow gender, skill, or personality norms.
- Encourages all students, regardless of artistic confidence, to participate fully, challenging beliefs about who is “creative” or “expressive.”
- Reinforces that gratitude and emotional expression are human strengths, not tied to gender roles or cultural expectations.
Recognising Rights
- Upholds students’ right to feel safe, respected, and valued when sharing personal reflections or artwork.
- Encourages respectful boundaries by allowing students to share only what they are comfortable sharing.
- Highlights the responsibility to create a supportive community where everyone’s contributions are acknowledged with kindness, not judgment.
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