Principal

Helping kids settle back into school

A warm welcome back to all of our students and teachers to a new term and a new semester. The round of Parent/Teacher Interviews last term only served to remind all of us of the gaps in learning some boys have after two years of disrupted learning. Further, many boys have found it hard to settle back to the real-life authority of teachers. “Doing what you want when you feel like it” simply isn’t an option anymore.

The start of the new semester brings a variety of challenges - from teacher and class changes, through to the transition from holiday mode back into the routine of school. This can make settling back into school difficult for some children and young people, especially after the extended summer break.

Naturally, as a parent you want to help your child settle back into school as seamlessly as possible, but it can often be hard to know where to start. So, here are some top tips.

Get kids involved in the organisation process

Being organised for school isn’t a parent-only activity. Involve your kids as fully as practical in the process. By doing this, you will be encouraging them to take responsibility for and ownership of their schooling, not to mention reducing your workload.

Specific tasks include:

preparing their uniform for each day
packing their school bag
helping organise their lunch
ensuring they have the correct school resources for each day.

Use positive language

It’s critical to use positive language when discussing school because children who hear their parents discuss education in a negative way typically model that behaviour. This is especially important in the first few weeks back. Sharing your own positive school memories is an authentic and relatable way to do this.

Add a personal touch

If your child is struggling being away from you, consider giving them a bit of you to take with them can help the transition. Whether it’s a personal item of yours that they carry with them, or even a positive note that you leave in their lunchbox, a personal touch is a helpful way for your child to stay connected with you throughout the school day. It’s a great reminder that it will be okay.

Trust and communicate with your son’s teacher

Trust your child’s teachers as they have their best interest at heart and know children well! Couple this trust with regular communication, which is particularly helpful at the start of the year when back to school worries are identified and addressed. Continue this communication throughout the years, especially if any issues or concerns arise.

It may be beneficial to arrange a meeting between you, the previous teacher and the current teacher to enable a smooth transition, particularly if problems emerge. It’s a team effort, so working together is key.

Talk about how they are feeling

It is important to discuss with your child how they are feeling about being back at school. So be prepared to listen and be guided by your child’s responses.

Avoid shutting them down if they are feeling unsettled, nervous or scared and validate their emotions and work through them. This is especially important with the added complexity of the pandemic. Ensure you offer problem-solving advice about what they can control, such as washing their hands regularly, or wearing a mask if this is a school requirement. Provide some time after school for your kids to talk with you about their day. This also provides an opportunity for them to decompress.

Maintain a consistent routine at home

Moving from holiday mode into a more structured school mode is one of the biggest struggles for many kids. One way to reduce the impact of this transition is the maintenance of consistent routines at home over the weekends, especially in the first term.

Some specific ways include:

regular reading
limiting screen time
keeping mealtimes and bedtimes consistent.

Using a visual ‘back to school’ schedule board or weekly planner can also assist in reminding kids what is coming up each week.

Limit other activities

Avoid overloading the weekends with activities so they can really use that time to relax and prepare for the week ahead after they have competed in their sporting rounds.

In closing

It is normal for every child to settle back into school differently. Some kids will be excited, and some may feel unmotivated or even anxious.

As parents, there is a variety of ways you can support your child as they transition back into the school routine. A critical first step is to work with your child and their teachers as a team and to keep those lines of communication open. This will also be beneficial throughout the school year as well, especially if any issues arise.

Staff Changes

We welcome Ms Annelise Macolino to the College who replaces Ms Michelle Bacash who left at end of Term 2.

Ms Sara Touchard left the College at the end of last term and we are currently seeking to replace her with a suitably qualified learning support teacher.

Ms Mikaela Newcombe informed me during the break that she will not be returning. We have made arrangements for Ms Amanda Forgione to take over her classes with her job-share partner, Ms Katherine Sinadinos who will be returning from a period of parental leave.

Ms Alana Rizzo (replacing Kylie Hinkley) is joining the English Faculty for Term 3 and Term 4, and Ms Selina Goodwin has been appointed as Student Services Officer from the start of Term 3.

We also welcome back Ms Melissa Shannon (Science) returning after a period of parental leave to a flexible work arrangement. Ms Shannon will work every Thursday and Friday. Mr Bruno Milheiro will remain as Acting Year 9 Coordinator replacing Melissa who has extended her leave of absence from her leadership position.

In the Junior School, Ms Jacinta Young will be moving to a flexible working arrangement working Tuesday to Friday each week, effective from Monday 1 August 2022. Ms Young will also be taking a leave of absence from her leadership position of Religious Education Coordinator until the end of 2023.

Joyful News

I shared with the community earlier in the year that I was going to be a Nonna very soon. Well, my beautiful grandson arrived last week on 14 July. Weighing in at 4.02kg and 53cm in length, baby Leo Antonio Lavorato has made his way into the world and changed it forever. My husband and I are besotted, and we thank all the well wishers who took time to wish my family well. I now add Leo to the group of 1489 boys that I care for each day!

In Memoriam

On Thursday 30 June 2022, one of our previous, beloved staff members passed away suddenly. Mrs Cate Sinnadurai, who was our literacy specialist, is survived by her husband and daughter (who is in Year 12).

We keep in our prayers the following students:

Luca (Year 9) and Julian (Year 8) Giannini on the loss of their beloved grandfather, Domenico Giannini, during the school holiday break.

Daniel (Year 12) and Ethan Harb (Year 10) for the loss of their grandfather, Youssef Harb during the holiday break.

Joseph (Year 9) and Mika (Year 6) Beshara whose grandfather, Joseph Beshara passed away last Thursday.

We pray for the repose of their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed. Requiescat in Pace.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything!

**except divide by zero