Doors that Inspire Kindness and Resilience at St. Luke Nepean

At St. Luke Nepean, students learned more than academics. They developed essential life skills that helped them navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom. As part of the Ottawa Catholic School Board’s Strategic Commitment to Be Well, Vice-Principal Ryan Byrne partnered with Jess Amato from Platform to Play to teach students how to reduce bullying and manage interpersonal conflicts during recess.

Jess Amato, a recreational therapist and community developer, used play, sports, and recreation to build stronger and more inclusive communities. Through this partnership, she helped create a culture of kindness and play that encouraged students to grow together with empathy and understanding.

The 3Rs and Mistake Magic

The initiative helped students gain perspective, manage emotions, and understand the importance of empathy. It introduced the 3Rs: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Resilient, along with Mistake Magic: Own It, Fix It, Learn from It, Move On. These strategies empowered students to make positive choices and handle challenges constructively.

Creativity Met Character

To bring these lessons to life, St. Luke Nepean hosted a door-decorating contest that celebrated the 3Rs and Mistake Magic. Over two weeks, classrooms brainstormed, designed, and decorated their doors to show how they lived these values each day.

Each morning, the school featured a “Door of the Day” during announcements, celebrating creativity while reinforcing the importance of respect, responsibility, and resilience. On February 7, 2025, students and staff voted for the most meaningful and imaginative designs in the primary and junior divisions.

The winning doors were turned into posters displayed throughout the school as daily reminders to practice kindness, inclusion, and positive behaviour. This project reflected the OCSB’s Spiritual Theme, Open Doors.

In the Primary Division, Ms. Lawrence’s Grade 2 class won with their “Reach for the Stars!” design. The space-themed door featured a rocket powered by Responsibility, Respect, and Resilience. Each star represented a way to demonstrate these values.

In the Junior Division, Ms. Rizzo and Ms. Sunderland’s Grade 5 classes collaborated on The Triple Rizz Crew doors titled Captain Confidence, Wisdom Warrior, and Problem Solver. Their designs showcased leadership, perseverance, and the value of learning from mistakes.

Kindness in Action

As OCSB Kindness Week approached, the project became a meaningful reminder of how respect and responsibility created a positive school culture. The student council built on the momentum by surveying classmates about new recess activities such as Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, and Noodle Hockey. Supported by the PALS group (recess peer helpers), students organized these games using the 3Rs and Mistake Magic tools to promote fair play and positive interactions.

At St. Luke Nepean, students did more than decorate doors. They opened them to empathy, leadership, and resilience. This initiative showed how OCSB students continued to live out the values that created communities where kindness thrived.