Assistant Principal Report

Dear Families/Carers,

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome back to all our students and their families/carers. Thank-you for your continued support with the transition from remote learning to onsite learning at school, it is greatly appreciated by us all at the school.

As a parent, it’s natural to feel apprehensive about how well your child is going to transition after spending so much time at home. Many children will have enjoyed remote learning, and some will be feeling anxious about returning to school. Research tells us that it’s important to keep in mind that it’s natural for children to be unsettled by the thought of another big change. Feelings of anxiety and sadness are completely normal right now. For many children, it’s like the first day of school all over again.

Fortunately, there’s plenty parents and carers can do to help their children feel less anxious about going back to school. Please see some tips from professionals who work to support children to manage change in a positive and confident manner. 

Discuss plans as early as possible. Openly discussing the return to school early on, including why and how it might feel different to normal. When discussing returning to school with your child it is important to keep upbeat and positive. 

Use incentives and highlight the positives of returning to the school grounds. For example, you might organise a special treat after school, a walk to the park, a game, watching a favourite show together.

Tell them you’re confident in them. Remind your child that they’ve already shown great resilience and adaptability during this challenging time, and that you have full confidence in their ability to do it again.

Regularly check in with your child and ask them how they’re feeling, what they’re enjoying, and what might not be working so well. Help your child find solutions to any issues they might be having. Supporting your child in becoming confident in problem solving will help them build further resilience. 

Please remember that we are here to support your child’s transition back to onsite learning. I encourage you to stay in close communications with us and please talk to your child’s class teacher and keep them in the loop regarding your child’s feelings and thoughts as they transition back to onsite learning.

Warmest Regards,

Kathy Cvitkovic – Assistant Principal 3-6 Learning Community

‘Be passionate.

Be courageous.

Be your best” – Gabby Giffords.