I cannot believe that we are already in Week 4. It has been such a positive start to the term with our Senior School students settling into their new routines and classes, meeting new teachers and reconnecting with their peers. I have been visiting a range of classes and am pleased to see the consistency and focus that is evident in each room or space; whether this be a practical lesson in the Science labs or a study period in the Library. The high expectations set by our teachers are raising the standard of student behaviour and engagement in their learning.
Educational theorist Bill Rogers rightly noted ‘You establish what you establish’. Educator and pedagogical expert Tom Sherrington clarifies this as, ‘This refers to the establishment phase with a new class. Right from the start, anything you allow becomes established as allowed; and anything you challenge is established as unacceptable’. Thus the start of the year is significant in ensuring that students are meeting expectations and establishing good routines. The best part is that Sherrington’s advice applies to the classroom, but is also helpful for parents: ‘Talk about it (expectations) explicitly and reinforce it regularly. The start of a new term is a good time’.
