Going Back to School
“Do I have to go back to school?” “Will all of my friends be there?” “Will school be the same?” “What if my friends hug me?” “Is Mr Whittle still teaching Forest School?” “Are we allowed to play at recess and lunch?” “Do I still have to wear my uniform?” “Can I hold my sister’s hand as I walk her to her class?”
These are some of the questions parents have told me their children are pondering as they contemplate returning to school on campus: the new normal. Many children can’t wait to be back at school. My 7-year-old nephew told his Mum last week that despite looking forward to returning to campus, he was going to miss his 5-hour lunch break at home greatly. But for some, the thought of returning to the classroom is enough to induce a bout of anxiety.
Last weekend I spent some time reading educational articles about schools that have already transitioned back to on-campus learning - to the new normal. Helping Kids with the Transition Back to School, written by the ABC, was beneficial. It discussed children’s anxiety as they think about the near future: school on campus. Kasey Edwards writes, “After weeks of online wellbeing sessions, teacher and friendship skills expert Dana Kerford has heard a steady stream of concerns”. These concerns have been similar to what we have heard at Northern. "Of the 4,000 plus kids I've worked with via my online classroom, many of them have expressed anxiety and nervousness around going back to school," says Ms Kerford, founder of a company teaching friendship strategies. Along with concerns about social distancing and how they will be able to interact with their friends safely, some kids are also concerned about how to reconnect with their friends.
Children's anxiety expert, Karen Young, believes that even if your
child is eager to go back to school on campus, they may need help with the
transition. "It might still be jarring because they've become settled into
a new routine," says Ms Young. "This is not like going back to school
after the holidays. They've been disconnected from their friends for such a
long time."
As parents and caregivers, you can help your children by encouraging them to express how they feel about coming back to school and validating their concerns. Ms Young suggests the following conversation starter: "It's a big thing going back to school, and it's OK if you feel a bit worried. That's really understandable and normal." After validation comes strength: where we tell our kids it might be a bit hard at first, but it's going to be OK, and we know they're going to get through this. "This is very different to saying there's nothing to worry about," says Ms Young.
As I sat and read many more articles, it was clear that our role as a school is to ensure that our transition back to campus learning is smooth, and that our highest priority will continue to be the wellbeing of our students. As I prayed about this, I was drawn to, and reminded of, I Peter 5:7 in the Bible, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” This above instruction was written by Peter, who was writing to people who were facing persecution and great suffering. They were struggling to understand the care God has for them during these times. Amid many unknowns, and when we are struggling to understand the new normal, my prayer for our school community at this time is that all of us will trade our worries for God’s care through Christ.
Our Wellbeing Team of Chaplains Jenny Berry and Malcolm Lacey, and School Counsellor, Julie Weeks, are also here to support you and your child as you both transition back to school on campus. Please email or phone any one of Wellbeing Team if your child needs support.
We look forward to seeing our students back on Monday 25th May!
Miss Bethany Armstrong - Principal
