From the Assistant Principal 

From Mrs Hopkins' loungeroom...

I saw this image yesterday on Facebook and I immediately saved it to share with you. To be honest, it sort of took my breath away with its simplicity. 

Now, this quote is not attributed to anyone - and isn't grounded in scientific study, but I would like to propose that we chat about it anyway. If in your house you are focussing on loving, nurturing, supporting and encouraging your children - then you my friend, are smashing this isolation thing! If some days, that means you are calling an early school day, skipping over that maths task, leaving writing to another day - then go you! Prioritising your child's emotional and physical wellbeing is being THE BEST PARENT YOU CAN BE. 

Of course I am not sitting in my slippers (how good is that on a work day by the way!) saying "yes! Let's throw education out the window!" Of COURSE I am encouraging you to find some routine in your day and follow as much of the online learning curriculum as you can. I AM urging you to keep in contact with your teacher and try to help your child to complete most tasks. 

What I AM doing is giving you permission, in writing, to make good choices for your family each day. You might be working from home, or your child might be finding isolation difficult. Give yourself the room to negotiate and prioritise. Why not start with attempting one task each day and building from there? Let's consider these scenarios....

Maybe your child had a really great go at Literacy today but the wheels have fallen off and Maths is just not going to happen? Try making a cake and comparing quantities instead? Grab out a board game and discuss chance vs luck as you play? Send your child outside with a tape measure and estimate the height and length of objects, have them order sticks in order of length? Give them a coles catalogue and a budget and ask them to plan their dream meal on a budget? Plan a future holiday itinerary?

Maybe you are on a conference call, or everyone had little sleep last night, and Literacy is just a step too far? Try using some of the amazing digital resources that are currently free and have your child listen to an audiobook and draw a picture? Challenge your child to find as many Hot Words as they can in favourite books? Maybe find a movie of a favourite book (eg. Charlotte's Web) and after watching, chat over the lunch table about the similarities and differences between book and movie and why we think the director made those choices? What about writing a letter to any number of relatives who are currently in isolation and would love nothing more than to see you? Can you go one step more and drop an anonymous note of good wishes in a neighbours letterbox? 

Check the pages 6A and 8A in your child's diary for more home ideas for supporting Literacy and Numeracy. 

Maybe, just maybe today you choose to focus on a family activity like a craft (Art!), a walk (Physical activity!), a silly dance off (Performing Arts!!!), build a structurally sound cubby (Technology!) a scavenger hunt in the yard (you have no idea how many shaped leaves there are until you offer a chocolate prize for the person who finds the most!!!! And that's Science!) 

Forget what you see on Social Media, the routine you have in your house is deeply personal and must be grounded in the survival of both your child's mental health but also your own. The timetable in my house looks like below most days - with lots of play and free time in between...and it's written in whiteboard marker because some days it changes according to my children's needs. We value education highly, but we value each other even more. 

I am proud of you Kalinda parents, you are amazing. And yes, I'm even talking to you. 

Lauren Hopkins - hopkins.lauren.d@edumail.vic.gov.au