Monday, June 13, 2016
Dear Parents,
I would like to inform you that the decision has been made to have a combined Year 3 and 4 class for 2016 – 2017, taught by Mr Greg. Unseen patterns of enrolment, have resulted in Year 2 losing half the students this school year. We want to provide a solution that ensures an optimal number of students in a class, but is not detrimental to any child in either year level.
I understand that the thought of a combination class can be worrying to parents. “Will my child keep up?” “Will my child be held up?” These are the immediate questions that spring to a parent's mind. The key to accepting a combination class is to understand that a child's growth is measured by stages, not by age. Each child's maturity, social and academic needs are uniquely their own, irrespective of being in a straight aged class or a combination. One advantage to combining these two year levels, is just how well the children already know and accept each other.
I come from New Zealand where combination classes are very typical and successful. How do they work? The teacher takes a class task and makes sure each student can master the skills required in the curriculum guidelines at his/her level. So, the class may learn about famous people as a group. The teacher assigns different activities, and has assessments that differ in level of difficulty, between year groups and ability levels. Children are extended and learning is enhanced, if ready for it, and supported as necessary.
Our Year 4 and 5 class has been successfully combined for 5 years. What I know to be true from this class is that the children;
are more confident and develop leadership skills
operate better as part of a group both in and out of school
stand up for themselves more
become more independent learners
become better problem solvers
more readily make friends outside their standard age group
I have no doubt that your children will be equally as successful.