Hi families,
How is your morning routine going? Is it rushing around shoving food into your child’s mouth, whilst packing their bag, making sure they are dressed with hair combed neatly and teeth brushed, then hurrying them into the car?
If this sounds all too familiar and your stress levels have reached their max all before 8:30 in the morning, then hopefully here are a few ideas to help you distress your mornings.
Happy reading,
Ms Jodie
Getting kids to school ON TIME.
Published by M. Grose
Missing a few minutes each day may not seem like a big deal but your child may be missing more than you realise if he or she is continually late.
Current research shows that mornings for most children are the most productive time of the day with 10.00am the peak period for productivity. When children arrive late and take time to settle as they inevitably do, precious minutes are lost. A child who is fifteen minutes late to school each day misses one week of school every year.
How can you get your dawdling kids out the door without yelling yourself hoarse?
Here are a few techniques and ideas for you to try to get your punctually challenged children to school on time:
Establish a morning routine.
Make sure your children know what is expected of them in the morning, and what you will do. Resist nagging but be willing to take them to school even if they have not fully prepared for the day.
Identify and remove distractions such as television.
If the children are regular watchers before school change the routine and keep the TV off. It should only be turned on when children are completely ready for school.
Teach some of the basics of time management.
The average adult underestimates by about 25 per cent the time it takes to do various jobs. Make sure you have realistic time estimates and stop packing so much into the time you allocate. Encourage older children to estimate how long it takes to do activities such as getting ready in the morning. Then they can measure the time taken to do these tasks and compare their estimates with real time.
Arrive at school ten minutes early.
Plan to arrive at school early rather than be there on time. This idea works well for perpetual latecomers, whether young or old.
Model a good routine.
It’s pointless expecting children to be organised in the morning if you are in a muddle yourself. Set a good example by being as methodical as possible and avoid sleeping in unless your children are so organised that they get you breakfast in bed. And pigs might fly as well!
Our SCHOOL RULES
Why do we have them and why are they so important?
At St Augustine’s your child’s wellbeing and safety are our priority. In order to ensure that they thrive in the best possible environment, we have developed a classroom discipline plan that affords every student guidance in making good decisions about his and her behaviour and thus the opportunity to learn in a positive, nurturing classroom environment. Your child deserves the most positive educational climate possible for his or her growth, and I know that with your assistance and support in discussing the importance of these rules with your child, together we will make a difference in this process.
The school rules at St Augustine’s are as follows:
- Follow directions
- Listen to the speaker without interrupting
- Speak appropriately
- Hands off!
- Move safely at all times
- Look after all property
To encourage students to follow the rules, teachers will support appropriate behaviour with verbal recognition and positive notes and rewards.
However, if a student chooses to break a rule, the following steps will be taken.
- Warning
- Time away from group
- Time out – to a formal area in room
- Exit grade – with a behaviour sheet
- Severe Clause – To Principal
If your child brings home a Student Behaviour Sheet, please take a moment to discuss the information on the sheet with your child. The aim of the sheet is to give families an opportunity to discuss the specific behaviour and hopefully discuss actions that can be taken to ensure that the specific behaviour does not re-occur.
The sheet is NOT designed to punish the child, but rather to help the child specify a behaviour expectation they did not meet and for them to communicate an appropriate action that they can take to meet the behaviour expectation in the future.
With parents, teachers and staff working together we can achieve wonderful outcomes.
Thank you for assisting us in achieving a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
Reminder to update medical information
Each year we require an updated medical form signed by your doctor for any student that has a medical condition. This is vital in order for us to ensure your child is given the best possible care whilst at school.
You can find all the new and updated medical forms on the school website. Please print off and take to your doctor to complete. Could these forms please be completed and returned to school ASAP!
Also, if your child’s medical condition has changed at all or does not require further assistance please keep us updated regarding this with a note from your doctor.
Ms Jodie
