Message from the Head of Primary

I have had a lovely last week, experiencing Parent Teacher Interviews at AISHK for the first time and chatting with many Primary parents in the corridors while they were waiting for appointments. Our teachers work hard to care and provide enriching learning opportunities for our students. We hope you found this experience informative and our new Schoolsbuddy sign up system efficient.

Independence

Since being at AISHK I have been observing students in their familiar school environment. I have noticed that many Primary students need prompts to be independent with their belongings.

Independence is crucial for primary age students as it fosters self-confidence and responsibility. When children carry their own school bags and remember to wear their hats, they learn to manage their belongings and develop organisational skills. Making choices for a healthy lunch empowers them to understand nutrition and make decisions that benefit their well-being. Walking into school independently, with adult support, encourages a sense of autonomy and helps them navigate their environment confidently. These small acts of independence contribute to their overall growth, preparing them for future challenges and helping them become self-reliant individuals.

In Term 2, I would encourage families to make some small changes to encourage our students to increase their independence, also speaking to family helpers to reinforce these habits.

Digital Citizenship / Cybersafety

As a parent and educator, I am often thinking about screen usage; How much is the right amount of screen time? Which platforms are age appropriate and safe? How soon do I give access to social media? Are our children safe online?

I know this is a battle that parents are facing around the world, it is ever-changing and can be a little daunting. We are in the process of planning some parent information sessions to help guide parents through decision making for this year.

As part of the Australian Curriculum, we have a digital citizenship programme that is taught at each year level in Primary and this year we have a new digital technology specialist teacher, Mr Savill, who is leading the planning with staff members. Where topics such as media balance and well-being, privacy and security, digital footprint, relationships and communication, cyberbullying, news and media literacy are covered.

Also, I wanted to share a website that can be helpful when deciding whether to let your child access certain content online. It is called Common Sense Media and is intended to improve the lives of kids and families by providing independent reviews, age ratings, and other information about all types of media. I hope the website is a good place for guidance as you are navigating the endless push from children for more technology.

Jane Thomas | Head of Primary