With our new school year off to a great start, it has been exciting to see how well our MacKillop students have settled into their new classrooms, with their new teachers and classmates.
While we started the year under strict COVID restrictions, already with the first four weeks of Term 1 completed, we can carefully welcome our parents and our wider MacKillop community back on site (with physical distancing and precautions of course!) which makes building our school and home partnership just a whole lot better all round!
The biggest challenge for our College community last year was the disconnect felt by many parents and the restrictions on their involvement in the goings on of their children’s lives at school. In 2021, we hope that parents become positively involved in as many aspects as practical in your child’s education once again. The involvement of parents in education helps break down barriers that can exist for some children. Their chances of success are better when students see school as an extension of home rather than merely an institution for learning and somewhere they are sent during the day. Positive parent participation demonstrates to children that you value learning as well as valuing our school. Children copy many of their parents’ views so your positive attitude to school and learning is catching!
Due to physical distancing, we are still unable to have parents coming into classrooms and helping with jobs such as hearing kids read, taking small groups in elective activities and assisting children when writing stories. But parent participation is much broader than helping out in the classroom. There is a range of simple ways to assist teachers to maximise the learning of your child. These include;
- Hearing your child read every night and filling out their log book / diary
- Asking specific questions about their learning rather than “Did you have a good day?”
- Ensuring they have a good night’s sleep and get to bed early
- Following regular routines so they come to school feeling happy and positive
- Providing healthy snacks and lunches so they are not “hangry” during the day
Our latest newsletter includes more ideas to help you participate in your child’s education in positive ways, and work together with us here at MacKillop.
We are looking forward to a great year together, no matter what the universe brings!
Thank you for your continued, positive support.
