Dear Parents,
What a tough term this has been.
Well over 100 students tested positive and a lot more than this had to isolate because of being a close contact. There is lots to be thankful for and there has been many bright moments. Your children have been amazing. They have shown so much resilience in accepting and moving forward regardless of the circumstances. Whether it be mask wearing, restricted lunch and play areas or the lack of class assemblies, they have simply smiled and got on with the task.
The staff at Rawlinson Primary School are outstanding. Despite the challenges that they faced, they too approached every day with a smile and an effort to engage every student in the activities of the day. It is extremely difficult to manage the education of 30 students when they are all attending at different times. Those away miss any new work that is done by those present and this needs to be repeated when they return. Students at home do not always do the work that has been set by the teacher via seesaw and connecting with them through Seesaw is not always as easy as it seems.
We have had no recorded cases in the last two days and I am hoping that after the holidays we can resume classes with everyone in attendance.
If you want to help your children academically through this disruption, then read, read and read some more with them.
Parents and carers who read aloud with children in a secure, safe and comfortable context motivate their children to read.
Parents’ perceptions, values, attitudes, and expectations play an important role in influencing their children’s attitudes toward reading, and subsequent literacy development. When children share a book with someone who makes them feel special, the attitude that reading is pleasurable is transferred to other reading encounters.
Relationship building
At the core of reading is a relationship and it is the bond between children and parents that is enhanced through reading together. It only takes ten minutes a day to build this relationship.
Children’s reading improves
The research is conclusive: When parents successfully support their children’s literacy learning from an early age, everyone benefits. When teachers and parents work together to support children’s reading and academic success, learning outcomes for all children improve.
Children read more
Students who read with their parents are better prepared for school. They begin school with knowledge of book language and familiarity with concepts of print. They understand how books work and have many more exposures to text types and vocabulary.
Children’s self-esteem improves
Knowing someone cares enough to take time out of a busy schedule to give you undivided attention around a book makes a significant difference to how students perceive themselves as learners and readers. When parents show an interest in their children’s learning, children respond positively.
Reading unites families through shared stories
When a family reads together, stories form a common ground for communicating. Stories bind families and help students makes sense of where they fit in the world.
Lastly, digital technology needs to be balanced, it is addictive and is stimulating. Children struggle to sleep if they have been on a computer then are told to go to bed. They should read a book not a computer before sleeping and reading with you will make them feel calmer.
Don’t miss out. Your children will grow up rapidly and as an older dad with children who are now adults I cannot wait for them to have children so that I can sit and read with them. It is the best, most pleasurable thing you can do as a parent.
Have a great holiday.
Darryl Dedman
Principal Rawlinson Primary School