Connecting with the School Community
Tonight we will welcome a number of new parents to the School for the parent orientation welcome session. Starting at a new school can sometimes be an emotionally-charged experience for new students (as well as parents and new staff!). I remember reading Mary-Rose Maccoll’s thoughts on this topic in a QWeekend Magazine some years ago and her views certainly resonate with my own experiences, so I share an extract from her article ‘New School Year, Different Teachers, No Old Friends’, (Maccoll, 2014, QWeekend, 25/01/14, p.8).
Maccoll writes: “I only changed school once, in Year 10, and not by choice. I spent the first week trying to find my way around on my own. It was hard to get to know kids and to understand the teachers and rules. And then, one lunchtime in the second week, a girl named Leanne Earl said, “Come and sit with us.” We remained friends until she left school at the end of that year.
So what helps the new kids? What should teachers, parents, and the kids themselves do? Well, friendship – Leanne Earl’s reaching out – is certainly at the top of most lists. One teacher friend I asked said it’s absolutely essential to approach a “carefully selected” member of the class, or a group, who have interests in common with the new student, and ask them to provide company in the first week. She said this is especially important at recess times when it’s ‘heartbreaking for someone to have to stand by themselves in a new place’. Even if the students don’t end up friends, it provides crucial initial support.
Another friend, a former school principal, asked her grandchildren, who had spent time in a school abroad, what had worked for them. Friendship was high on their list too, having friends who ‘know the school and what to do’. Also being nice ‘to the nice people’. But, they said, ‘You have to be yourself’, and ‘It’s up to you’."
As a parent and educator, I am appreciative of Maccoll’s advice, and it is encouraging to reassure the parents joining our school community, that we do offer similar experiences and activities as part of our aim to help our new students make a positive transition to Somerville life. Our Sisters Connect program reflects the proactive approach we have to Positive Wellbeing at Somerville House. SISTERS CONNECT is a program which enables Big Sisters in the Senior School to meet with Little Sisters in Year 7 and in the Junior School, connecting sisters within Houses. This increases familiarisation with other students in Houses over the years. It develops warm connections within our community, builds respectful relationships, encourages empathy and embraces diversity.
Similarly, to help all parents feel part of our Somerville House school family, I take the opportunity to write about our Parents and Friends Association. Within the P&F, a network of Support Groups operates, with the function of supporting various co-curricular activities enjoyed by both Junior and Senior School girls. Meeting dates are advertised in the School Newsletter and I encourage your participation as a great way to meet other parents and make new friendships.
New Staff appointments
At the end of 2021, we will be sad to farewell Mrs Michelle Taylor, Head of Learning Development, who leaves Somerville House to take up a position in Northern Queensland. We acknowledge Michelle’s contribution to Somerville House, as she has worked with the particular responsibility for co-ordination of extension programs, along with developing programs to help students with learning difficulties in literacy and numeracy. In these thanks, we acknowledge Michelle for her collaboration with teachers in developing an inclusive approach of providing educational support and extension. Mrs Taylor will provide a formal handover to Mrs Rebecca Cain, who will take on the role of Head of Learning Development for the 2022 academic year.
We will also be sad to farewell Ms Kat Miers, Student Counsellor – Psychologist, who is leaving at the end of the year to return to family in Victoria. On behalf of students and families, we thank Ms Miers for her individual counselling and support, as well as family engagement that has helped bring about wellbeing outcomes for our students. Our teachers have also been supported through the provision of specific strategies provided by Ms Miers. Somerville House will welcome Miss Sarah Winkleman as the Student Counsellor – Psychologist, following Ms Kat Miers’ departure. We take this opportunity to wish Mrs Taylor and Ms Miers well in the next phase of their careers.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal