Friendship “Week”
For the past two weeks, we have been sharing ideas during (and between) assemblies about what makes someone a friend. How do they act? What do they say? How do you treat your friends? How should we treat people so that our actions and words are “friendly” - even if we aren’t yet friends? These are key questions to help us act according to one of our core values: community. The coming “week” (February 13-15) will see our classrooms focus on the idea of community and friendship, starting with a Friendship theme for Monday’s assembly.
I’m sure it comes as no surprise that friends are vital to school age children's healthy development. In the Preschool and Elementary School, friendships provide children with more than just fun playmates. Friendships help children develop emotionally and can strongly influence behaviour patterns. In interacting with friends, children learn many social skills, such as how to communicate, cooperate and solve problems. Interactions with each other allow children the essential practice required to learn how to control their emotions and respond to the emotions of others. Sadly, as a result of the pandemic, this was a restricted experience and for some children has impacted upon the natural development of their social skills. This is particularly true with the ability to think through and negotiate different situations that arise in peer relationships. Having friends also affects children's school performance. (Research has shown that the biggest influence on learning comes from peers.) Children tend to have better attitudes about school and learning when they have friends there. In short, children benefit greatly from having friends.
In our classrooms, we recognise the importance of working with each other and structure much of the day around interaction, often through group work. Consider your child’s after-school schedule. If possible, make time for your children to have unstructured play dates with friends. These are wonderful opportunities to develop critical social skills.
After School Arrangements
Please make sure that you notify your child’s classroom teacher of any changes to “end of the school day” arrangements, whether that’s an arrangement that another child’s parent will collect your child or if your child should take the bus instead - or, indeed, any other change to your child’s usual daily or weekly plan. Thank you.
Book Swap
You should have received information about the upcoming Book Swap, which is part of the Book Week (February 27-March 3). The library is ready to take your unwanted books (please refer to this letter for details) in exchange for a voucher from Monday, February 13. The Book Swap itself will take place during the actual Book Week.
Swim Gala
The Grades 4 & 5 Swim Gala will take place on Friday, February 24. More detailed information will be forthcoming for parents & carers.
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