Dear Parents,
It’s time for story time!
As a classroom teacher I would often tell my students stories. True ones based on previous students that I had taught (names changed of course!) and their escapades. I seemed to be the teacher that ended up with the students with the most behavioural challenges. Not sure why, however I always found those students interesting and I had the mantra that in every child there is always a strength to be found and build upon.
The most common names amongst those students at the time was Michael. So, my classroom students would often request for more ‘Michael’ stories. There were true stories about how ‘Michael’ stole the keys to a tram and drove around Melbourne pretending to be a tram driver. Or the one where Michael slept in the roof of an abandoned portable building during a Year 2 sleepover and no one could find him! Children love being told stories especially ones about wayward children.
I’ve always said that when I retire I will write a collection of Michael stories. The trouble is that the students I told those stories to are now adults themselves with children. So, they will have waited a very long time for those stories to be in print!
Another story I like to tell parents is the time when I was requested by a Year 5 parent to know the numerical ranking of their child in my class according to intelligence and abilities. I can remember my response being that before I could do that I needed to be able to rank parents on their parenting ability to take into consideration the differing family circumstances. Can you imagine their horror when I suggested that! Ranking parents. At the time I wasn’t a parent myself, so I can honestly say I had absolutely no idea of what it was to be a parent and how difficult (although joyous) it is. So, I’m sure my rankings would have not only been totally incorrect but also very judgemental and insulting to some.
A School Principal is a difficult but rewarding job similar to a parent in some respects but different in others. What makes a successful principal and ultimately school is the quality of the staff you have with you. As a panel member, I determine all teaching and administration staff along with my highly valued and talented Assistant Principal Mr Steve Donohue. Most times our appointments have been exceptional, we have and continue to appoint outstanding staff. We know that because when and if they apply for other positions they are successful!
The number one quality I look for in teachers is trust. Do I trust them to teach your children to the best of their ability and will that trust be given to me in return, do they trust me to provide them with the best possible environment for teaching and learning?
Lockdowns are difficult times and the teaching and learning programs offered through remote learning for your children is different. Do I trust the teaching staff are doing their absolute best in these circumstances along with caring for their and their families own mental health and wellbeing? Absolutely!
Do I compare our remote learning programs to other schools? Never.
Do I provide assistance to other schools who are struggling during this time? Always.
I’ll leave you with a twitter post from a Principal in Sydney that he sent to his school community. I couldn’t say it any better:
We will all have learnt so many lessons from these lockdowns. I will never ever complain about my two adult sons popping in unannounced for a family meal. It would be so lovely to be able to see them sometime soon!
Warm Regards
Gayle
SEPTEMBER | |
Wednesday 1st - 3rd | Year 3/4 Camp Phillip Island CANCELLED |
Friday 9th | Year 5/6 Police Visit |
Monday 13th - Friday 17th | Year 5/6 Coonawarra Camp TBC |
Friday 17th | Last day of Term 3, 2.30pm departure. |
OCTOBER Monday 4th | Start of Term 4 |
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