Dear Parents/Carers,                                                                        

As I draft this newsletter parents and teachers are meeting to share some data sets that outline where each child is currently in their learning growth in reading and mathematics. The PAT assessments are a critical starting point for teachers as it enables them to use the data to group their children for differentiated learning activities during small group instruction. The most important point, however, is it enables each teacher to ask some questions about where your child needs support and engage with you to continue to build a knowledge base that will support your child’s journey throughout the year.

It would be my wish that this meeting is approached with optimism. Even if the data shared is concerning, remember, this marks a starting point not the end point of your child’s learning for 2024. It is my wish that you leave the room after the meeting assured that your child’s teacher knows your child well and together all three of you will achieve great things in 2024.

Remember, optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than pessimists. Helping your child to look on the bright side is a significant life skill to develop. When children think they can succeed they are more likely to give things a try. Optimists look at the flip side of negativity for the good, hope and some positivity. This calls for a strong self-belief and confidence to deal with challenging situations.

It is my hope that your meeting achieves at least some of the following:

• Trying and persisting is important;
• Practising leads to getting better;
• Being planned and organised helps;
• Have the self belief to try again;

                   AND

• Know that tomorrow is another day.

Finally, research indicates that children learn their optimism from their experiences of success and through their interactions with parents, teachers and significant others in the first eight years of life. So the way adults talk is significant in the way they shape a child’s belief about success or failure. The message is clear, adults need to be aware about how they present the world to children as how we explain things is on show!

I try to be this person to your children, not afraid of expressing a challenge and quick to remind them that they are valued and every challenge is just a problem to be solved!