Enjoying Your School Daze

Principal Harper and her five favourite pupils. Of all time.

tarting a new school year can be just as daunting for some parents as it is for their wide-eyed offspring.

For one, it’s all about the new worlds of wonder that lays ahead, for the other, it’s the cost on their wellbeing and their wallet.

The latter concern is especially strong right now, given the growing energy crisis, and the very real fear that, over the coming year, ends may no longer keep meeting the way they used to.

Well, fear not, because help is always at hand, whether it’s from those within your circle or those outside who are there to smooth those edges and help find a solution to any problem. And we have a fine example of that below.

But first, given that she recently popped up on Irelandam and on The Tonight Show to talk about this very subject, we reckon the principal down at St Patrick’s National School might just have some valuable lessons learnt to share when it comes to making that school year ahead a joyful one…

Rachel on the Irelandam couch

And luckily for us, Rachel Harper was indeed happy to offer up some sound advice for parents… 

I am sure like myself, you are wondering where the time has gone!

On Wednesday, St. Patrick’s welcomed the children for another academic year. The sun shone brightly and there was a buzz about the place as we welcomed children and parents to come in and see the classrooms. There were plenty of smiling faces all around.

It’s a time to encourage and inspire all the children going back to school. It’s a bright new beginning of another creative year of school life.

Being the first week back at school, households across the country are readjusting to a newly-structured week. So, it might be a good time for some simple tips to help settle the children back in to school life.

Tip 1 Keep A Routine  
Try to keep the bedtime and morning routine consistent. Sleep is crucial for all of us; it helps having a calm bedtime routine every night. 

Tip 2 Pack Healthy Lunches
Plan lunches for the week. Let children help where possible so they feel they have an input into the healthy choices.
 
Tip 3 Prepare Them For Their After School Routine
Ensure your child knows who’ll be picking them up after school each day. If they are going to an after-school club, talk to your child about the kinds of things they will do there. 

Tip 4 Build Good Homework And Study Habits
Create an environment that is homework-friendly. They need a consistent work space somewhere in the house that is without distractions and promotes study. 

Tip 5 Foster Independence Where Possible
Let children prepare their school uniform/clothes each evening, pack their bag, and prepare their lunches with the adults. These habits help develop confidence around day-to-day activities and allow them to take ownership over these tasks. 

With the spiraling cost of living being a major topic at the moment, the added expense associated with back to school is a concern for many families. When I recently featured on the Tonight Show and Ireland Am regarding the cost of going back to school, my main aim was to highlight and emphasis the message that if there are any families across the country that are really struggling with back to school costs, let their principal know.

This is, of course, always in confidence. No principal in the country wants to see a child doing without or a family struggling. The board of management at the school may be in a position to help, or if not, the principal will direct you to the correct resources or supports to avail from, or to appropriate outside agencies.

Beautiful. And now, for that fine example of how a great community works…

Recently, a young teacher from Mayo was being interviewed on Today With Claire Byrne, and his appeal went out across the RTÉ Radio 1 airwaves for a place to stay in Greystones. Given that he’d just landed a job here, but hadn’t been able to find accommodation.

Upon hearing the show, a neighbour of St Patrick’s called around to offer up a room in his house. Boom!

Now we just have to figure out which local school the Mayo lad is joining. And if he still needs a place to stay around here.

So, if you are that newly-minted Greystones teacher, get in touch with St Patrick’s on 012875684, and they’ll connect you to this great Samaritan.