Thought from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

In our Primary assemblies today, we welcomed all students back to school.  The students took the opportunity to “interview me” and did so with complete confidence.  The children also proved to be risk takers by presenting, through role-play, the expectations we have while at recess in order to keep all of us safe.

Previous to the first day of school, we had the opportunity to meet our Chatsworth students at the Open House.  That day also provided us the opportunity to greet our new students as well.  In speaking with families new to Singapore, as you can imagine, many were feeling anxious.  A common reason for the nervousness was that they wondered how easily their children would adapt to a new school.

In reading a few articles on the subject, I uncovered a few tips that new families to Chatsworth may want to keep in mind.  In regards to adjusting to a new school, author Hannah Boyd suggests that:

• The first few weeks may be “stormy” and that is nothing unusual.  They may be more withdrawn and sensitive; this will pass
• In these trying times for children, having a routine at home will help put them at ease as they know what will be coming next
• Find any excuse to have a party.  Boyd suggests having an early birthday party encouraging children to come to your child’s “home turf” where meeting new kids may be easier
• As a parent, getting involved with the school (CPG) is a good way for parents and their children to meet other families
• Be patient.  Children may take longer than six weeks to begin to settle in.  If children still have not settled in by then, do not panic.  Speaking with the teacher and school counselor for support may help.

In the coming week, we have scheduled two Parent Orientation meetings.  The Early Years (K1, K2, Yr1 and Yr2) will meet on Wednesday, August 23 while the Junior Years (Yr3-Yr6) will meet on Thursday, August 24.  Both meetings will begin in the Main Hall at 6pm and should end by 7:30.  

The purpose of the meetings is for parents to come to campus, learn a bit about the school community and to meet their child’s teachers.  After a short presentation in the Main Hall, parents will be asked to make their way to their child’s classroom area.  There, the grade level teachers will address the parents in the following locations:

Grade level / Classes	Location
K1	2A (K1 classroom)
K2	1A (Mrs. Kong’s classroom)
1.1 and 1.4	3B (Ms. Cattell’s classroom)
1.2 and 2.2	3K (Mrs. Gupta’s classroom)
2.1 and 2.4	3H (Mrs. Serong’s classroom)
2.2 and 2.3	3I (Mr. McKenna’s classroom)
3.1 and 3.4	3M (Mrs. Sansom’s classroom)
3.2 and 3.3	3N (Mr. Shepherd’s classroom)
4.1, 4.2 and 4.3	3O (Mr. Meyer’s classroom)
5.1, 5.2 and 5.3	5D (Mr. Rive’s classroom)
6.1 and 6.2	2B (The “pool house”)