Dear Parents & Friends,

As we move into the second half of the term I am constantly reminded and experiencing first hand, how busy schools are.  At the moment, teachers are finalising assessments and writing reports as well as remaining focused on teaching the curriculum to the children.  In addition to this, the new booking process for interviews will open on Monday, 17 June, for parents to book Parent/Teacher interviews.  This then calls on you to find the time, in most cases in a busy work schedule, to arrange the interviews and lock them in.  Just be aware, if the days and times are impossible for you to attend, please approach your child’s teacher to make an alternative time, this could even be at the beginning of next term if need be.

This term I have been reminded of the importance of good role models in the life of any child and the huge impact teachers have on children.  As I was a teacher at St Paul’s about thirty years ago, I have been amazed and heartened by some of the stories that have come to me by parents, whom I taught all those years ago.  These stories remind me time and time again about the impact I have had personally on the minds of young children who have come back to me in adulthood.

I was reminded of this again when on our mufti day this term one of the students came dressed as a mini me.  Whilst I smiled at the time and never thought too much about it, I do know that this child was really giving me a message about who I am to him and the other children in our school.  I suddenly became a little overwhelmed and even afraid of this responsibility, AND it was a seven year old who was reminding me.  I’m glad I don’t think about this all the time, but it is important to be reminded.  This experience motivated me to do a little research about the power of positive role models.

This is what I found out:

Modelled learning is largely unconscious, picked up from non-verbal behaviour and is strongly influenced by the quality of the relationship that exists between the model and the learner.  The higher the regard the more likely a person is to follow an example.  Therefore, parents, be aware, like me, someone is watching and perhaps copying every move you make, the behaviours we are proud of as well as those we aren’t!

As significant adults in children’s lives parents and teachers need not leave modelling to chance.  We need to harness its power and consciously model behaviours and language we want children to learn before they become teenagers.  For example, if we want children to resolve conflict in civil ways they need to see adults do the same.  If we want children to have less screen time or television and read more then our chances of success increase if we set the example ourselves.  It is this period of a child’s development that offers a prime opportunity for parents to model pro-social behaviours that will last a lifetime.

We have a little fellow at our school who reminded me about the impact we have as role models,  how  profound it is and shouldn’t be left to chance!  This is backed up by the 35 - 40 year old parent group who have shared their stories and experiences about me as a young teacher in the eighties.  I must admit, at that time I had no idea.  It does make me wonder about those students, whom were in my classes at that time, that I wasn’t able to connect with.  I get reassurance from hope that maybe it was achieved with another teacher on their journey through primary school.

Therefore, parent  - HUGE responsibility, teacher -  huge responsibility!

In light of my experiences in recent weeks, especially this story I have shared in this newsletter, I leave you with this often used saying to consider:

We must view young people

Not as empty bottles to be filled

But as candles to be lit.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

Winter Sports Uniform

A parent asked me last week if it was compulsory for students to wear their tracksuit pants during sport in terms 2 and 3?  I have looked at our Uniform Policy and it does not state in the policy that this is mandated. Therefore, if students choose to wear the shorts in winter they are not breaking the uniform code as it currently stands.  This would mean this largely falls on your shoulders as the parent at this point in time to decide whether sports shorts or tracksuit pants are worn.  I will discuss this further at the P and F meeting and get their feedback.

Parent information Evening - Diocesan Social Media Policy

A Diocesan Social Media Parent Information Evening will be held at our school on Wednesday, 31 July 2019 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

This will have a significant impact on all schools, especially concerning protocols for engagement within the school and school community through such avenues as Facebook.

I strongly encourage all parents to try to make time to attend and mark the date and time in your diaries.