Celebrate Learning and Achievement

We are nearing the end of our first ‘normal’ semester. The staff have been spending a lot of time reflecting on the academic achievements of the children that they teach so that you are informed of your child’s progress when you receive their Semester One report next week.

As a parent, it is tempting to focus on the things your child is not yet at standard for. However, can I challenge you to focus on the things that your child has learnt over this past semester. They love sharing the new things they have learnt and what they have enjoyed learning about.

I had the privilege of talking to some students today and I asked them what they have enjoyed learning about this semester. Here are their responses:

• I have enjoyed learning how to play with my friends – Manraj, Prep.
• I loved learning about Noah’s Ark in the Bible – Laiken, Prep.
• I liked learning things in Chapel because I got to choose a song – Oliver, Year 1.
• I have enjoyed learning how to read – Harper, Year 1.
• I love Maths because I have learnt how to do really big plusses and take-aways – Aiden, Year 2.
• I have loved running in PE because I am learning how to be a fast runner – Jessica, Year 2.
• I loved learning about procedural texts because I love telling people how to do something by following instructions – Guntaaz, Year 3.
• I love doing my timestables challenge because it makes me panic and I like to work under pressure and I like challenges – Intira, Year 3.
• I have learnt that Venn diagrams are divided into three different parts, but they all relate to each other. They are different, same, different – James, Year 4.
• I liked learning about harder division because it is new to me and I like giving myself a challenge – Madeleine, Year 4.
• I have enjoyed learning how to make a clay platypus in Art – Grace, Year 5.
• I have enjoyed learning how to use Mindstorm robots in STEM – Max, Year 5.
• I have learnt how to calculate 10% with decimals – Charli, Year 6.
• I have learnt how to cook different meals that I thought I would never make – Sahir, Year 6.

They have learnt new things. They have enjoyed new things. They have been challenged.

Over the term break, once you have received your child’s report, take the time to talk to them and listen to them, without judgement. Ask them what they have enjoyed learning about the most. Ask them what has challenged them the most. Ask them what they want to get better at.

You should all be very proud of your children as they have worked very hard after two difficult years, and they have all made progress. Celebrate their achievements and encourage them in the areas that they are still working on.

Have a blessed term break and see you all again on Tuesday, 12 July.

Jodie Vamplew, Head of Primary