Mrs White’s Words: Fostering Connection, Growth and Understanding

This half term, our staff participated in Step On training, a program that equips us to respond to both pro-social and anti-social behaviours in a thoughtful and therapeutic way. The focus of this training is to develop a shared approach to behaviour, enhance communication strategies, and create a consistent, safe, and nurturing environment for every child in our care.

This training reminded us that whether we’re addressing a challenging behaviour or celebrating a success, the foundation of growth lies in building authentic connections. At our school, we are passionate about creating and nurturing these connections—not only within our school community but also with you, our parents. It’s through this partnership that we can best support every child’s development.

At the heart of our ethos is the belief that strong, positive relationships are essential to your child’s success and well-being. These relationships underpin everything we do, and we remain committed to finding new ways to strengthen the bond between home and school. By working together, we can create the optimal environment for your child to thrive.

Strengthening Parent-Teacher Connections

While we don’t offer direct email contact with teachers to ensure their time is fully devoted to teaching and supporting pupils, we prioritise meaningful, face-to-face interactions. These personal connections are invaluable in fostering trust and collaboration, enabling us to support your child’s learning and development in the best possible way.

Below I have highlighted some initiatives in place to strengthen these interactions:

  • Morning Gate Greetings: Each morning, our teachers are at the school gates to welcome you and your children. This is a perfect time to say hello, share a quick update, or celebrate your child’s achievements.
  • Monthly Classroom Drop-ins: Once a month, we invite you into the classroom to explore your child’s work, chat with their teacher, and gain insights into their progress. These sessions are informal yet incredibly valuable for staying connected with your child’s learning journey.
  • One-on-One Meetings: On Mondays and Wednesdays, we have designated time slots for pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with teachers. If you have specific concerns or want to discuss your child’s development in more depth, simply contact the office to book a time.
  • Parent Workshops: Throughout the year, we’ll host workshops designed to help you understand the curriculum and teaching methods we use. These sessions are an opportunity to learn how to support your child’s learning at home. The feedback from our recent Phonics and Reading Information session has been wonderful, and we’re excited to offer more sessions like this.

As Bruce Perry, a leading expert on child development, so beautifully said: “Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.”

We believe that the relationships between home and school play a transformative role in your child’s education. By building trust, sharing knowledge, and working together, we create a supportive environment where every child can flourish.

To further support, we encourage you to explore the following resource:

Parenting Support Resources – NSPCC

Additionally, I highly recommend watching this insightful short video about the importance of connection and attachment in education:

The Power of Relationships in Education – Video Link

Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community. Your involvement, encouragement, and collaboration are vital to your child’s success. Together, we can ensure that every child feels seen, valued, and supported as they grow into their fullest potential.

Mrs White

School Games
Oxford
International School Award
Investors in People
Primary Science Quality Mark - Gold Award
Healthy School
Trauma Informed and Attachment Aware School - Bronze Award 2025
With the wind in our sails, we shall live ‘life in all its fullness’John 10:10