By CATHERINE MASTERS
It is that time of year when the kids are getting, if not nervous, then at least a little edgy about the school year ahead.
While older students may be trying to prepare by reading textbooks and setting goals, the advice for the little ones is: don't worry, just relax and enjoy the last few days of the holidays.
Most primary and secondary schools open on Tuesday, and while teachers are hard at work readying themselves for the onslaught, the president of the Auckland Primary Principals' Association, Lionel Mickell, says small children are not set holiday homework because they need a break.
"We would hope that primary school kids have really had a relaxing and invigorating holiday so they come back all bright-eyed and bushy tailed for the new term."
He hoped children would have practised their reading or indulged in finding out more about subjects that interested them, but in a fun way.
"Often with a number of kids, when they get back again we find there's a bit of a lag over reading and numeracy skills where they maybe haven't done a lot of that during the holidays."
Parents could begin to prepare their children by getting them back into the school routine again - getting them up in time for school and giving them breakfast and lunch at the right time - and perhaps by visiting libraries.
"I would be quite happy next Tuesday if the kids turned up and they're all organised and ready to go and the routines are sorted out and we'll take it from there."
The advice for bigger kids is to begin to really think about what they want to get out of the year ahead and set some goals.
While homework is often given out for term breaks, most secondary schools do not set homework over the Christmas break.
But students picking up new subjects may have been advised to do background reading or some work during the holidays.
President of the Secondary Principals' Association Tom Robson said students should regroup and gather their wits for the new term.
Most secondary schools are re-enrolling students and reconfirming courses this week, and students in doubt about how to prepare in the last few days should go to their school and chat to the teachers.
Mr Robson said homework - or out-of-class work - was extremely important.
"It's that independent work you do away from the classroom [that] is a really important part of what happens. It reinforces what is going on in the formal classroom situation and it also allows the student to work by themselves.
"While we talk a lot about collaborative learning and that sort of thing, there is still a place for someone to sit down at their computer or their desk and just pursue some things for themselves."
The best advice for secondary students is:
*Enjoy the last few days, relax and have fun so you come back to school ready.
*Go in to school and ask teachers for copies of course books to familiarise yourself with your subjects.
*Pick subjects you will enjoy - ambivalence does not lead to great results.
*Be clear about why you are going back - what are your goals? Do you want an average of 75 per cent in School Certificate or an A Bursary?
*Think about short-term goals in the buildup to end-of-year examinations.
*Think about where your goals will take you - university, a job, polytech or other courses.
Parents with children who cannot work out goals should go along to the school and chat to the teachers because you, too, need to be clear about your children's goals.
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