From the Leadership Team

Back to School 

Remember that day in mid-December when your child bounced home with six glorious weeks of freedom ahead of them? Seems like ages ago, right? No doubt you are looking forward that first day back when you can return to the familiar routines of school life. 

Some teenagers can’t wait to head back to school after a lovely long break from school. But when the holidays grind to a halt, some struggle to re-set and motivate.  

As well as checking the uniform still fits your child, there are some things you can do to help your child make a positive transition back to school.  

Talk about it  

Ask your child how they are feeling about being back at school. Find out what’s on their mind and help them to come up with strategies to manage change and uncertainty.  

Support social connections 

If your child has not seen their friends over the holidays, encourage them to organise catch-ups. Reconnecting in person will build their social confidence. A new school year can sometimes bring a shift in friendship groups. If this is the case for your child, be a listening ear and help your child to think of ways they can confidently build new connections.  

Stock-take 

Check in with your child about whether they have the learning materials they need for each class. Offer to write their name in their hat and label their uniform items and lunch boxes. This will increase the likelihood that lost items will find their owner and it will reduce their anxiety and yours! 

Go back to healthy eating  

Holidays can throw all sorts of routines out of kilter, including our eating habits. Teenagers are undergoing significant growth, and they need physical and mental energy to manage this as well as their learning lives. Healthy eating habits are essential.  

Monitor sleep 

No-one likes the sound of the alarm clock after weeks of blissful sleep-ins. Your child may have become a little nocturnal during the break and the early mornings could be a shock to the system. Be prepared! It may take your child some time to adjust to their new routines. Encourage early nights and hang in there until the mornings become less grumpy!  

Be interested  

The best thing you can do for your child in the first few weeks of the new school year is to be interested in their learning lives. That might mean asking which novel they are reading in English and perhaps picking up a copy for yourself or offering to help them to set up a homework space. Help your child with processes such as creating checklists, using an organisation tool like a diary (online app or paper), or showing them how to break a task down into steps. Questions about goals and successes, as well as those about worries and challenges will show your teen that you care about their school experiences beyond assignments and grades.  

Stay in touch  

Always remember that your child’s educational journey is one that we are on together. If you have questions or concerns about your child, or just want to check in, please contact the relevant staff member, be that the Care Group teacher, class teacher, or school leader. We are here to support you.  

Louisa Mulligan 

Director of Middle Years