School of Thought
Starting School at LNPS
With Rosemary
I begin 2020 with a new and improved Assistant Principal role which extends from the Early Years through to Primary Years. As we venture in to 2020, my leadership role has diversified and grown. My approach has always been to lead alongside the professional learning teams and to be a learner while being a leader. I continue to facilitate a successful start to school at LNPS and this year will be participating in the roll out of the InitiaLit program in Early Years including teaching a Reception cohort. I will also collaborate with the Torrens team beginning with the LNPS SIP literacy goals. We will be engaging together in exemplary professional learning through Orbis. More information about the project will follow throughout the year.
The start of the 2020 school year has been an enormous success at LNPS, for our 69 Reception students. This has been largely due to the preparation of our families and our exceptional, capable teaching staff. Almost 100% of families attended the parent meetings prior to starting school and were well informed about how to be successful and confident. The Starting School visit on the Thursday prior to the start of school was a resounding success and the feedback has been extremely positive.
Starting school is a transition process for children and families.
Transition … is not seen as a single event nor a series of events but rather a process over a longer period of time.
We recognise that ‘one size does not fit all’ and that each child and family has a unique experience.
Transition is a complex and long-term process.
It involves a child’s identity, leaving one setting, and developing a sense of belonging within the new setting.
Be reassured that it is a normal stage of development for children to feel anxious when saying goodbye. It is our role to ease these anxious feelings. Some children settle quickly and some children take longer.
Be confident
Your children look to you for how to react and they respond accordingly. If you trust the environment and that your child is capable and competent, you are well on the way to a successful start to school.
Develop a plan
Develop a morning routine that is short and simple. Set limits and keep to the plan. Reception children know the routine for when they arrive. Once they have unpacked their bag, signed in and settled into a learning activity, say goodbye.
Always say goodbye
When it is time to leave, say goodbye and reassure your child that you will return. Being consistent will help your child become confident with the routine. Some children require more reassurance and an educator will support the 'happy goodbye' process.
After saying goodbye, leave quickly
Hesitating when saying goodbye, waiting by the door or the window will make your child feel that there is something to worry about. Short goodbyes reduce the build up of anxious feelings. Be confident and positive!
Arrive before 8:50 am
Arriving calmly and on time helps with routine. Seeing children follow routine and settle to an activity is reassuring for your child. Returning from a weekend or holiday may require extra persistence and resilience to be successful.
Get someone else to drop off
If you are feeling too emotional or finding it difficult to separate from your child it may be better to have someone else drop off for a while. If Mums and Dads can share the school drop offs, it shows that everyone is comfortable with the environment.
If you are looking for some books to share with your child to support a successful start to school refer to these resources Starting school books.
If you have any questions or require further support please contact me.
rosemary.mcleansaxon475@schools.sa.edu.au