Primary Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE: •
News from the Classroom
•
Birthdays
•
Student Achievements
Dear Parents and Caregivers, Helping our children through their schooling and then being there for them as they make their first tentative steps into the ‘big world’ is undoubtedly one of the greatest privileges we as parents have. Along the way there are countless special moments, as we see them develop their various skills and abilities and we rejoice with them when they achieve meaningful goals. As parents we can probably all think of moments when we have heard them express their opinions, share the experiences which excite them the most, and then also see their personalities to shine through. Suddenly we realise that each child really is his or her own person – that while we might see some of what we hope to inculcate into them emerging, on many occasions they remind us that they are unique and that they have their own perspectives, opinions and ways of doing things. Yet we also know that now, in these foundational years, we have a wonderful opportunity to sow into their futures. Through discussions around the dining table or on the way to school, we can raise topics which challenge them to think about their responses. We can speak about the values we hold dear and why many of them have a universal appeal; we can grapple with the often-difficult challenges of relationships and how best to defuse conflict; and we can cast their minds into the future towards the unlimited opportunities which await them. Shakespeare once wrote that “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” What an incredible legacy we can leave in our children as we discuss with them important values such as honesty. A recent article points out how, during the pandemic, when many students were at home, honesty was really put to the test. Suddenly all the usual parameters for testing and assessments were no longer there, and for many this raised the temptation to be dishonest. It is during teachable moments such as these that we are able to help our children make the right choices, even though they may not necessarily be the easy ones. The same article goes on to remind us that “when it comes to forming judgments about other people, research suggests that nothing is more important than moral character.” We all hope that our own children will live out their lives at peace with others, that their values will shine through all they do and that others will be drawn to them because of their character. We should never underestimate just how important this time is in that process and how precious each opportunity is to help them to lay strong foundations on which to build their lives.
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 8 Friday 18th March 2022
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