With the new school year just around the corner DCIS staff, students and parents share their top tips for a smooth start. Whether this is the first time starting school or you are a seasoned student or parent, the start of a new academic year is always exciting and comes with some anxiety and butterflies.
With the new school year just around the corner DCIS staff, students and parents share their top tips for a smooth start. Whether this is the first time starting school or you are a seasoned student or parent, the start of a new academic year is always exciting and comes with some anxiety and butterflies.
Mr. Short, our principal, knows all about the excitement of a new school year. Here is his advice to new parents:
Mrs. Gray, Head of Lower Primary School and Ms Lebihan, Head of Primary School share their top tips:
Mrs. Page, Year 1 teacher, says that things that often cause anxiety for our younger students are trips to the toilet and eating. Your teacher will show you where the nearest toilets are, but don't panic if you don't get there in time, there will always be an adult to help. Never be afraid to ask for help! A good idea for parents is to plan the lunchbox or order the school dinner together with your child, so they know what they will have for lunch and are prepared when they open their lunchbox.
Sophie, going into to Year 7, suggests that you double check that you have everything you need in your bag on your first day. Remember to make sure that you have your PE-kit or swim-kit if you start the week with PE or swimming. It is also good to remember that everyone's hat and bag look the same, so make sure that your hat has got your name on it and that you have personalised your bag, maybe by putting a special keychain, a name tag or a coloured ribbon on it.
Astrid, also starting Year 7, says that returning students should try to remember what it was like on their first day at DCIS and make sure that all new students feel welcome. New students should not be afraid to ask anyone for help, everyone in school, adults and children are really friendly.
Albert, soon-to-be in Year 4, suggests that you walk around campus as much as possible during orientation day. Make sure you know several ways to get to your classroom, check out where the nearest toilets are and where you can fill up your water bottle.
Betsy, going in to Year 1 explains that if you hurt yourself, you don't have to worry. An adult will take you to the school nurses. The nurses are very friendly and have comfy beds and magic cream.
Sarah, a DCIS parent in her tenth year, advises new parents, and especially parents of children in Lower Primary School to try to get to school a bit earlier, before it gets really busy, to have time to settle your child in. If you are a working parent and won't be able to come in to school, speak to your teacher, they are really good at updating you on how it is going and how the little ones are settling in.
Co-chair of the DCA, our parent association, Karyn's top tip is to attend the coffee mornings organised for each year group over the first couple of weeks and to get involved in the DCA. DCA is also hosting a Back to School picnic on Saturday 1st September, 4-7pm, a great way to meet new and returning families!
It is easy to spot the students, they are all in uniform, but how do you know which adult to talk to? All adults at campus must wear their ID-badge, the lanyard will tell you who they are. All parents have teal lanyards, all staff have dark blue, external staff working on campus have red lanyards and visitors have orange. Any adult with a dark blue lanyard will be there to assist you and help you find your way!
