School Success Starts with Attendance

We would like to thank our Saltwater community for making a concerted effort in relation to attendance. This week's attendance figures really show that families are doing everything they can to make sure that our students are at school as much as possible.

We understand that some families face various challenges with school attendance with one being Anxiety. This article will explore anxiety and its signs as well as suggested strategies that can be used to support these students. 

Anxiety about going Back to School

Going to school is usually an exciting and enjoyable event for children and adolescents. However, some children are occasionally reluctant to go to school or have some anxiety about activities. It is also normal that at some stage in life, most of us will feel anxious when faced with a difficult situation.  

Anxiety becomes a problem when it is persistent and prevents a person from enjoying normal life experiences for a long period of time. You can help your child to cope with anxiety in effective ways and, in doing so, help them develop self-confidence and resilience. 

 How can I tell if my child has anxiety? 

Signs of anxiety include: 

• Having lots of worries and a strong need for reassurance 
• Psychosomatic symptoms which occur before school (e.g. nausea, stomach aches, headaches or shortness of breath). These symptoms will reduce when the threat (fear of going to school) is removed 
• Crying, being clingy or fidgeting when nervous 
• Sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, nightmares or trouble sleeping alone 
• Fear and avoidance of a range of different issues and situations. 

Why are some Children Anxious about going to School?

Anxiety may affect children at any age. The causes of anxiety may be different for young children than for teenagers. Reasons for anxiety include students experiencing separation anxiety.

Problems may also stem from school, this might include: 

• Being bullied and/or cyberbullied 
• Having learning difficulties 
• Social isolation, not fitting in and experiencing friendship conflicts 
• Feeling lost at school 
• Fear of getting into trouble 
• Not getting along with a teacher 
• New situations like the first day in a new class or the first day in a new school 
• Failure – worry their schoolwork will be too hard, they won’t be able to keep up, or they won’t know the correct answer when called on in class 

In some circumstances, a child might feel anxious about losing a parent or thinking that something bad might happen to them due to: 

• A parent being ill 
• Family problems and fighting 
• Parents separating 
• Knowing another child who has lost a parent or whose family has broken up 

What can you do to Help?

• Remain calm: you will be better placed to make them feel more confident. Try not to let your child see that you are worried or frustrated 
• Listen to your child: encourage him/her to share their feelings and fears 
• Don’t dismiss your child’s feelings: everyone feels afraid sometimes and your child might perceive this as you not understanding or not caring about their concerns 
• Talk it through: discuss various scenarios, possible outcomes and ways to handle situations to help your child develop problem-solving strategies 
• Let them have a go: avoid taking over or giving your child the impression you will fight their battles for them. Some children with anxiety are happy for others to do things for them and if you take over, it might stop them learning how to cope for themselves. It also reinforces a perception that they are helpless and that someone will rescue them 
• Remind your child: everyone makes mistakes and that this is where the best learning comes from 
• Be punctual: Avoid being late when picking up or dropping off your child up from school 
• Problem solve: talk with your child about what is causing the anxiety. For instance, if your child has problems walking through the front gate, arrange for them to meet a friend or use another entrance. If they find socialising in the yard before school starts a source of anxiety, arrange for them to arrive just before the classroom doors open.  
• Encourage & reassure: even if they will be late encourage your child to go to school; reassure them that you will contact the school to explain 
• See the GP: arrange for a visit to the GP if your child reports persistent physical complaints 
• Be consistent: have a clear agreement between parents (even if separated) that school attendance is not optional and communicate this in a clear and calm manner to your child 
• Reward: provide rewards for appropriate behaviour and avoid unintentionally rewarding school avoidance  
• Be clear: be clear with instructions and requests and consistent with consequences 
• Be involved:if possible, be active in your child’s school through things like the school council or the canteen 
• Seek assistance: there is assistance and support available. The sooner you talk to the school about concerns, the better. 
• Get support: for yourself if things are feeling overwhelming and distressing 

If you would like some additional support from the school about your child's anxiety or attendance, please reach out to your child's teacher, the wellbeing team or myself, Hayley Mann. 

Attendance Celebrations

Now let's see which class has demonstrated the highest attendance this fortnight! Congratulations to the following classes - 

Prep A - 97%

1H - 94%

2G - 97%

3I - 98%

4C - 96%

5D - 97%

6B + 6D - 92%

7A + 7B - 93%

8A - 94%

Congratulations to 3I who won our whole school attendance trophy. 3I will keep hold of the attendance trophy until our next whole school assembly. We are excited to see who will win the attendance trophy next.