Settling Into the New School Year
- Teacher Tolu
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Dear Parents,
Can you believe we are already in October, and I am sure that for everyone, the excitement of the new school year is giving way to the rigour of setting and establishing routines. How has the back-to-school transition been for your family?
Is your child adjusting well to a new school or new teachers?
Have you found your family rhythm with homework, after-school activities, and family time?
Most importantly—have academic targets been set for the year ahead?
Setting goals can make such a big difference in helping children stay motivated and focused. Goal setting does not have to be an uphill task. Even simple targets, like “aiming for a Grade 6 in Maths” or “reading three books this term,” give children a sense of purpose and direction. The parable of salt in the bible lends itself well to this, a little salt changes the taste of a huge pot. So also, setting simple goals helps to positively influence a child's sense of accomplishment.
Here are five tried-and-tested habits that can set your child up for success this academic year.
Establish a daily homework slot – Last year for me was a constant battle with getting homework done, as I would only realise after an email from the teacher or a note in the diary that homework had again not been done! To combat this, after many tweaks, we arrived at a homework/home study timetable that worked. We also created room for an extra table and chair to provide a consistent space for homework/personal study. This has helped us to start on a more positive note this year.
Review schoolwork regularly – Evenings get very busy in many households with several family or extra curricular activities taking place, however, it is really important to spend just 10–15 minutes with your child checking what was covered in class, and what homework has been done. Those conversations reinforce the high priority you place on your child's academic progress and your willingness to be a part of that journey.
Encourage independent reading – Reading, I constantly emphasise is a great propellent of academic progress. Reading is vital across all subjects and age groups as it strengthens comprehension, vocabulary and global awareness. I love the quote from Dr Seuss that says "The more that you read, the more things you will know . The more that you learn, the more places you'll go", Better than TV screens or playing video games, Reading good content helps to develop a child's brain for success.
Celebrate small wins – I learnt with my children, that they worked harder on tasks when they knew that their efforts not just results would be acknowledged and celebrated, so we designed a reward chart, taking note of small wins and efforts made towards achieving our set goals.
Be a present parent with the teachers and school – This could be one of the most important ways to anchor your child's progress this year. Remember to check in regularly with your child's teachers. You don't have to wait till parents' evening. Be proactive in communicating with the school and asking for feedback about your child's academic endeavours. Don't leave the communication to when issues arise to be dealt with. Sending regular appreciation messages and emails help massively to foster positive relationships with the school where your child spends almost 60% of their waking hours.
As we step into October, let’s remember: progress doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built through small, steady steps.
If your child is in Secondary school and you’d like extra support in Maths, I currently have spaces available for targeted KS3 and GCSE Maths tutoring to build confidence and raise grades. Please, follow the link for more details and to register.
Let’s make this academic year one of growth, resilience, and achievement!
Warm regards,
Tolu Adewole
Academic Coach
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