BY DR STEPHEN FYSON
Pacific Hills Christian School, Starting school can be a joy for some children and youth. For others, not so much. Likewise, re-starting school can be a cause for excitement and anticipation, or not.
What makes a difference? Firstly, we must remind ourselves that there is no ‘secret recipe’ for success in having children come back to school. But there are a couple of really important principles that can help in these seasonal transitions.
As in all parenting (and teaching), it is the child being confident that they will not be overlooked. We all need to be known, in terms of our thinking, needs and ideas being heard by important others. That is why Schools choosing the “right” teachers is really important. We want them to want to know their pupils, not only as learner, but as people.
Secondly, they need to be safe – not just to feel safe, but to be safe. That includes knowing clearly what expectations are in place about how they should conduct themselves, and that others know how to conduct themselves.
These are the two basics – being heard and having safety boundaries (for them and others). That is what we at Pacific Hills Christian School seek to provide in all years for all students. It is one reason that thirty years ago we commenced Middle School, so that young people going through internal changes had people who knew them really well at school.
Most of all, let’s all remember to check in with our young ones regularly to celebrate the joys and help them through the pains.
