What parents can do to help their kids get to school on time and be more organised
The first year in secondary school is a big step up from primary and can coincide with the onset of puberty. Students have to learn to be organised and some find it more difficult than others. Here are some tips to avoid detention
My daughter is in her first year in high school; she is completely disorganised and close to being late for school most days, a Hong Kong parent writes. It takes her at least half an hour to pack her bag in the morning, and even then she forgets to take homework that she’s actually completed and gets detention. She is so concerned that her hair looks exactly right it takes her even longer to get ready. It’s always a mad rush and causes lots of arguments and an unpleasant start to the day.
First, moving from primary to secondary school is a huge transition for all students. Your daughter has gone from the security of having one main teacher most, if not all of the time to encountering a range of different subject teachers based in different classrooms. It can be challenging and even overwhelming for some pupils initially, and certainly demands a high level of organisation skills.
Additionally, many Year Seven students are starting or going through puberty, so with the related hormones and changes in the brain, it can be a tricky time. Your daughter’s appearance is likely to be near the top of her agenda and getting her hair just right in the morning will be of paramount importance.
In order to avoid the rush and accompanying unpleasantness in the morning you may need to negotiate setting the alarm clock earlier. Also, insist that her school bag is packed the night before and the timetable carefully checked, including homework for the following day.
Whatever happened to art classes at schools, Hong Kong parent asks – is it because the subject’s not academic enough?
The school uniform should be laid out for the next morning to ensure a smooth and stress-free start to the day. Preferably avoid, or even ban, the use of phones or tablets in the morning, which can delay things further.