Help Your Child Soar: Change is Achieved One Step at a Time

Soar – to fly or rise high in the air.

Our college theme for 2019 is ‘Soar’ based on Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” As the year unfolds, we will unpack what it means to flourish and truly soar.

At St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock, we have great expectations and high standards for your child. We work in partnership with you to see them soar on wings like eagles.

A new year brings new opportunities and renewed strength. New routines can be established and exciting changes about the future can be imagined. In order to create lasting change, staff and students are encouraged to set goals. These inspire them about a desired future and outline measurable action plans. Change is achieved one step at a time.

Raising children is not always an easy task. Thankfully, there are many online resources that can assist us. One article I read last week by Michael Grose (one of Australia’s leading parenting educators) outlined the ‘top five parenting tips for this year’. I found the parenting ideas valuable, but also reflected on how these ideas can play out in the school setting.

1. Switch on your kids’ strengths

As a strengths-based school, we desire to use a child’s strengths to help them succeed. Research around Positive Psychology tells us that it is far more effective to lever strengths than to try and work on developing weaknesses.

2. Balance kids’ extra-curriculur activities

Try to avoid over scheduling your child’s life. There are so many valuable after school activities but it is not beneficial for your child to be overcommitted, not to mention the pressure it adds to you to get them to various places. Allow your child some ‘down’ time and the opportunity to ‘be bored’. This is often when they become more creative.

3. Focus on friendships

Friendships are an important part of everyday life. Some students have one or two close friends, others are friends with a wide range of students and some are happy to play alone. It is normal for friendship groups to change over time and this should be encouraged. Changing classes, provides students with the opportunity to develop new friendships. Organising playdates can encourage friendships to flourish.

4. Give kids tools to manage anxious moments

Many students experience anxiety and we need to strategically teach them skills to manage their anxiety. Our Bounce Back program (taught in K-4 during Terms 2 and 3) focuses on teaching these skills and aims to develop resilience. It reassures children that everyone feels worried at times, but these feeling will pass.

5. Develop rights of passage

We have rights of passage or traditions in Junior School. We have Gold Award Functions, graduations, camps etc. These events or rituals mark significant times and milestones in a child’s life.

You may like to visit the link below to read the full article and find out more about the parenting tips.

https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/top-five-parenting-tips-for-this-year/?utm_source=Blog+Subscribers&utm_campaign=ad1c2ce7ed-Parenting_Blog_29_01_2019_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f488c60967-ad1c2ce7ed-180388233&mc_cid=ad1c2ce7ed&mc_eid=3ae8f9a3b4

Margaret Pond

Head of Junior School