Dear Parents and Carers,
The children have been back at school now for 17 days, and the atmosphere is happy and purposeful. Reception children are playing hard and managing full days and lunch with ease, Year 1 children have been searching for the Naughty Bus, that has wreaked havoc in all sorts of places, including my office – I was naturally appalled – Year 2 has boarded the train to Kent to explore the village of Eynsford, Year 4 and Resource Base have started swimming and Year 6 shared their learning so far this term with their families this morning. And everyone is playing at lunchtime with new playground equipment.
This letter is about partnership, and the support we need from you so your child can get the most from the opportunities provided at school.
First, we need you to make sure your child arrives on time for school every day. We have returned to welcoming all children on site from 08:45 with the expectation that they will be in their classrooms or with their teachers by 08:55. Coronavirus flexibility has finished. If you arrive after the bell is rung at 08:55, your child is late. Brunswick is a big site and the children need at least 5 minutes to get to their classrooms, hang up their coats and get organised for learning that starts at 09:00. Being late is disruptive and affects everyone: the children who have arrived on time have to pause their learning whilst the late children come in, and the children who are late feel embarrassed because the teacher has to stop. Children need to be taught that being on time is polite and respectful.
From Monday, all gates will be shut at 09:00 and the only access to the school will be via the buzzer on the Main Gate, where you will be directed to the School Office where your child will be marked late. Warm thanks as always to the vast majority of parents and carers who support us by ensuring their children’s school days start punctually, with the understanding that punctuality is a lifelong skill. The secondary schools are draconian about punctuality. Support your children to form good habits now. We also need you to encourage your child to make good eye contact with you when you are speaking with each other, and to speak to you in full sentences. We all need to build our children’s cultural capital to give them the best life chances possible. Children who talk politely, with confidence, are more likely to be listened to. When we wish them ‘Good morning’, encourage them to return it whilst making eye contact with us for the duration of the conversation. They will then feel listened to, and empowered. Empowering children builds their esteem. Children with higher self-esteem are more resilient, and resilience enables children to learn from mistakes rather than be crushed by them. As Thomas Edison said, ‘Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.’
Finally – follow us on Twitter @BrunswickParkPS. It’s a great way to find out quickly what your children have been learning at school and information about what goes on here. And you can retweet us! Spread the word; if you trust us to care and nurture your children, everyone else needs to know why.
With best wishes for a safe and healthy fortnight ahead.
Susannah Bellingham
Head Teacher