Cobram Anglican Grammar School heads of Junior and Senior School offer tips on how to prepare for the new school year.
Monday, January 30 saw the return of school, and with Prep students experiencing their first milestone moments and Year 12 students starting the “beginning of the end”, nerves and excitement were high.
CAGS head of Junior School Fiona Clark said dialogue between parents and their Prep children is often helpful to calm any nerves.
“We encourage our parents (at CAGS) to have honest discussions about starting school and find out how their child feels about starting school,” she said.
Ms Clark said reminding nervous new students about their transition day in 2022 and the fact that they would be picked up at the end of the day will also help.
At CAGS new students will be getting to know each other through games, with specialist subjects also commencing in the first week of school.
Though each school varies in particulars, the process will generally be the same.
As for nervous parents, Ms Clark said communication was once again key.
“We encourage parents to ask questions if they are not sure,” she said.
Nerves are obviously not confined to Prep students, with Year 12 students taking the plunge in what many would feel is a make-or-break year.
CAGS head of Senior School John Thompson believes that such a mentality is outdated and that Year 12 students should remember that senior year represents only one year of their lives.
“Keep a perspective on things and recognise that, in our modern world, a number of different pathways often present themselves to achieve the goals you seek,” he said.
However, Mr Thompson said students must also match efforts to expectations.
“If you're seeking a 45+ study score in a subject but you’re only putting in half an hour a week on that subject, then those two ideas rarely marry up,” he said.
As for advice for parents, Mr Thompson also believes communication is key, and showing an interest in their kids’ lives will be appreciated, at least eventually.
“It’s sometimes seen as a bit ‘daggy’ for parents to hang around their older kids, but they'll be thankful for it in the end,” he said.
“Be there for them to talk at any time, and if you have any concerns, stay connected to the school and get the information you need.”
Mr Thompson believes establishing a routine and having a dedicated workplace is key to success for any student.
“Creating a routine and workspace are vitally important to success,” he said.
“A timetable that provides structure, but also some flexibility, is a great place to start.”
The Courier team wishes all the students in Victoria and NSW the very best in 2023.