Welcome to the new school year
A new year, new books, new chums
Starting the school year at a new school can sometimes be an emotionally-charged experience for new students (and new staff!). I draw upon Mary-Rose Maccoll’s thoughts on this topic in a QWeekend Magazine article from 2014, as her views certainly resonate with my own experiences.
In ‘New School Year, Different Teachers, No Old Friends’, 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 lunch time 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". (Maccoll, 2014, QWeekend, 25/01/14, p.8).
I am proud of our Sisters Connect program which helps to establish connections between the younger and older students. If you have a daughter starting in Year 7 this year, I hope she has received something via the mailbox at the front of your residence. You may have read in a recent school Facebook post that our Year 12 students have been busy preparing special letters to welcome our incoming Year 7 students into the Senior School. The welcome letters have been written and personalised by our House Captains and contain lots of ‘insider’ information on the best way to make the most of this exciting time. To read more about our Sisters Connect program, please click here.
As a parent and educator, I am appreciative of Maccoll’s timely advice in relation to the role of parents in helping our children develop resilience, by reminding parents that our job is not to protect our children from everything. It is reassuring to the parents joining our school community, that we offer similar experiences and activities as part of our aim to help our new students make a positive transition to the student experience at Somerville House.
As part of our welcome and induction to the new school year, I encourage parents to attend the relevant Parent Information Evening for a 6.00pm start in VPAC as per the schedule on the School calendar, accessed via SomerLink. We will record these sessions and post to SomerLink.
Staff Professional Learning
During the Staff Professional Learning Days last week, the whole staff prioritised the value of a positive education for our students. Psychologist, Dr Joann Lukins worked with our staff to highlight best practice and strategies to support individuals and our school community to flourish. Staff spent time focussing on specific skills that will help them recognise how to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote mindfulness and inspire a healthy lifestyle.
The start of a new school year is a time for all of us to be mindful of our own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of others and our place in the community. It is important we are aware of the positive influence we can have on others and the role we can play in helping each other to have a positive and successful year. The 2021 academic year has started well. I hope it continues this way for each of you.
Next week, we have invited some of our 2020 graduates to return for recognition at the inaugural Academic Honours Assembly. In next week's newsletter, I look forward to sharing the highlights, and aspects of academic research which indicates the link between student wellbeing and academic success.
Madonna King Book Launch
I invite you to attend Madonna King's Book Launch, TEN-AGER. Please click here for more details and to register. TEN-AGER raises the issues our girls might not be talking about publicly, and guides parents on how experts believe we should deal with it.
DATE: Tuesday 2 February
TIME: To be seated by 6.00pm
VENUE: Foundation Building, Level 7, Honour Room, Gate 1, 17 Graham Street, South Brisbane
Please note: In order to attend this event, you will need to reserve a ticket. To reserve your ticket/s, please click here.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal
