Figure 1.--
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Figure 1.-- |
Many schools believe that a child's first few days at school are very important and believe considerable attention should be given to ensure that the children get a happy start. The transition from home to school at best is a stressful time, especially given the age of prep school children. It can be an especially difficult time for some children. Many are away from home for the first time and home sickness is almost inevitable. There are a variety of ways to pave the way for achild entering the school. Schools have a variety of orientation efforts. Some schools ask parents to bring their child and spend at least part of a day at the school, before the child is actually enrolled. New children receive special attention for their first few weeks. At most schools and child about their same age is appointed to show them about and to familarize them with the school routein. Different schools have different names for these pairs. At many schools the headmaster's wife is the unsung heroine. Often the headmaster's wife will take a special interest in the new children and works closely with the junior form mistress to make sure they settle in quickly and happily during the first term. Special events may be scheduled for the new children. Such steps help to reduce the inevitable homesickness to a minimum. A new school is not only strssful for the children, but the parents as well. This is especially true for a boarding school. Most parents are very concerned as to how their child is doing. Often this is the first time they have been seapareted from their child. Most schools during the first few days will inform the parents of the new children on how they are settling in to allay any concerns they may have.
Many schools believe that a child's first few days at school are very important and believe considerable attention should be given to ensure that the children get a happy start.
The transition from home to school at best is a stressful time, especially given the age of prep school children. It can be an especially difficult time for some children. Many are away from home for the first time and home sickness is almost inevitable. Here the seriousness varies from child to child. In pst years the child was essentially told to have a stiff upper lip and grin and bare it. Today the schools are much more sympathetic to the needs of the new boy and girl.
Schools have a variety of orientation efforts. There are a variety of ways to pave the way for achild entering the school. Some schools ask parents to bring their child and spend at least part of a day at the school, before the child is actually enrolled. At Maidwell Hall they have a New Boys' Party during the summer term for those who will be entering during the following fall term. Such events give the child the opportunity to see the school, both classe's and dormitories, and meet some of the other children and their form teacher. The visits also helps to acquaint the parents to the the school enviroment. Some schools, such as the Downs in Worcester, ask that the new parents of the new entrants bring them a day early. The school plans an activity for the children leaving the parents free for a tea with the headmaster and staff. Many schools such as Northcliffe in Hampshire encourage the new children to spend a day at school before the term they are to enter so that they can meet the staff and some of the other children.
New children receive special attention for their first few weeks. At most schools and child about their same age is appointed to show them about and to familarize them with the school routein. Different schools have different names for them: aunts/uncles (seaford Court) , guardians (Northcliffe), shadows (Old Hall), sponsors (St. Michael's College, Tenbury) , and substances (Moffats). At Northcliffe, each new child upon arrival is assigned a guardian who will be with him or her for at least 2-6 weeks. The guardian often sleeps in the same form. At Wellingborough Junior School, the guardian is theoretically responsible for the new boy's mistakes.
At many schools the headmaster's wife is the unsung heroine. Often the headmaster's wife will take a special interest in the new children and works closely with the junior form mistress to make sure they settle in quickly and happily during the first term. Terrington explains that, "When new children come to Terrington we try to fill their every moment so that they have no time to be homesick, and during their years with us we introduce them to many new challenges and intersts both in and out of the classroom, with the intention that they should never be able to come along to the study and say " But, Sir, there is nothing to do."
Special events may be scheduled for the new children. Such steps help to reduce the inevitable homesickness to a minimum.
A new school is not only strssful for the children, but the parents as well. This is especially true for a boarding school. Most parents are very concerned as to how their child is doing. Often this is the first time they have been seapareted from their child. Most schools during the first few days will inform the parents of the new children on how they are settling in to allay any concerns they may have.
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