From the Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing

How was your day?

I hope your daughter has settled well into the new school year, we are well into the swing of it!

The year is full of promise and challenge and we, the staff, are here to support all parents and girls to live up to the promises and challenges of the year, to feel successful and grow.

It is a long and very full day in the MLC Junior School. We have high expectations for our girls, and they so capably live up to them. There is lot to do and enjoy, not just during the school day but before and after school in co-curricular and sport activities.

By now you might be finding you are receiving responses, such as “nothing” or “I can’t remember” when asking about your daughter’s day. These are typical and normal. After a bust day at school many of us need some time and space between school (or work) and home. I know I benefit from having space and time to move between work and home before focussing on cooking dinner, getting ready for the next day, reading emails/messages or fulfilling any other commitments I have.

If you want to move beyond “how was school today?” and getting little response, try one or more of these questions and see if you get more information:

What was the best thing you did today?
What games did you play at lunchtime?
What was something different that happened today?
What made you laugh?
Who did you play with?
What are you looking forward to about tomorrow?
What did you learn about in music/PE/library?
What’s something your teacher said to you today that made you think?
If you could change one thing that happened today, what would it be? Will you try that tomorrow?

Home is usually the place where your daughter can decompress after her busy day. Ensuring she has some time to relax or do something enjoyable is helpful for her to wind down. Good bedtime routines and a getting enough sleep will also benefit her to be ready for the next day.

If, at any time, you are concerned with how your daughter is settling into the year please contact your daughter’s class teacher. I am also available to contact at any time jsharpe@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au .

We look forward to another wonderful year of learning and fun in the Junior School.

– Joanne Sharpe
Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing