In the Know

From the Leadership Team

Matt Brinson, Head of Senior School

 

While it was only 10 days of remote learning, for some of us it brought back the challenges and triumphs of 2020. As we come out of lockdown 4.0, many students and staff are approaching the return to face-to-face schooling with optimism of a return to normal and, hopefully, limited restrictions.

 

Once again, our near super-human talents of our Kilvington teachers, and their flexible and proactive approach to flip to seamlessly back to remote learning, was equaled by our students’ ability to adapt just as quickly. 

 

"The aim of teaching is simple: it is to make student learning possible. To teach is to make an assumption about what and how the student learns; therefore, to teach well implies learning about students' learning" (Ramsden, 1992).

 

But at this time, when many of us are tired from the stresses of lockdown, I thought it was an appropriate time to take a light-hearted look at what are the common characteristics that teachers share.

 

How many of these traits can you recognise in our teachers?

  • An Academic Brain -
    • A teacher’s mind works in mysterious ways, but what we do know is that the vast majority have an academic brain; educated to degree level or higher.
  • Quick Witted -
    • Every teacher needs to be quick witted; know the correct spelling and the right sums, and have the ability to answer any and every question to avoid embarrassing moments.
  • Creativity -
    • A creative mind goes long way at school. Teachers need tons of ideas to keep lessons interesting and engaging!
  • Big Voice -
    • Teachers need to be able to command a room full of students, no matter the age. No one wants to hear the terrifying ‘telling-off teacher voice’, but we’ve all got it and we’re not afraid to use it!
  • Big Heart - 
    • Teachers have a love for their profession, passion for their subject areas and a desire to help children. Students are often referred to as ‘our kids’.
  • Stamina -
    • Every teacher knows that the working day doesn’t finish when the school bell rings. Teachers have lots of planning and prepping to do before they can unwind, but it’s totally worth it!
  • Good Shoes -
    • Teachers are constantly on their feet and so a good pair of shoes is vital. A study by the Baker Institute in Melbourne found that teachers average around 12000 steps a day.

As we return to School for one more week before the mid-year holidays, it is appropriate to segue from the last point of how many steps teachers walk, to the benefits of keeping active in the holidays; now that we begin to have more freedom. You have all heard of the benefits of exercise: improved physical health, increased happiness, reduced stress, a stronger immune system and better cognition, but how can you encourage physical activity during the holidays?

 

Here’s a few quick tips for encouraging physical activity:

  • Choose activities your child likes and that are fun.
  • Build exercise into the daily routine.
  • Make sure there is lots of variety and give them choice.
  • Reward them with an activity like a visit to the park rather than with screen time.
  • Encourage them to meet friends in person; to walk and talk rather than communicating online.
  • Be active yourself and involve the whole family.

It can be hard to get up and stay motivated over winter, possibly even harder coming out of lockdown, but the benefits of exercise are great. We will all return to School with a renewed vitality and energy to tackle Term 3 with enthusiasm.