Well... so today is the first day of the rest of our lives! We are experiencing a sudden change in the way we do things - but first let's breathe.

Parents at home - young humans - parents are not teachers - they are facillitating learners. Do not expect that you will suddenly have the teaching fairy come and deliever skills that you have not trained for. So...

Set up some routines and expectations of each other - everyone will need some quiet time away from each other. 

Set up a place to work, and/or somewhere to keep your learning things, so that there is not a fuss because you haven't got a pen - my ex-students - you must have at least one of mine each as I have personally bought enought to circle Earth TWICE!

Find your old board games - decks of cards - jigsaw puzzles. Now is the time to learn these skills. Be patient with each other - this may be a new skills set. There are heaps of cheap ones available through online shopping.

Schedule play time and play together.

Watch BTN - that is a news service for young humans - very useful. Adult news is a bit much for everyone just now.

Start a learning project. How will we commemorate ANZAC Day this year? Can you come up with something? Share it here!

Most of all - be your best you! My ex students - you KNOW you are precious, remember that now!

Kate B / Mrs B / Dr Kate

We are really kicking off into the school year now. Fiirst day jitters should be passed and school shoes worn in. It is now time to start with the end in mind - as the wise Mr Covey would say! You know how last year ended. You know how things were during the busy exam time at the end of last year. Sit down now and talk about what went well last year and what needs more attention this year. Were you organised for your examinations? Were you able to do your best work? Did you show your best self to the  world? What do you need to do to ensure that your best self finishes this year?

One thing that you can do riight now is to start your 5 Point a Day summary book. 

At the end of the day write down 5 things that you learnt each lesson - be careful that this is not what you learnt ABOUT but actually what you LEARNT. Then write the date at the top of the page for 3 days from today, 2 weeks from today and then 6 weeks from today. These are the days that you will revisit your learning. Give your brain a chance to hold it all in!!

It is a small task, but one which will make all the difference!