Attendance at Primary School

Te Ao Hou, June 1968, Page 46

Attendance at Primary School Most lessons at primary and secondary schools lead on from the previous lesson and so it is vitally important that every child attends school regularly. Any absenteeism is likely to make the child even more ‘disadvantaged’. No child can learn effectively without the help and encouragement of the school and the parents. It is, therefore, necessary for the parents to join forces with the school. Parent-Teacher meetings and any parental visits to the school are vitally necessary, not only for the parents to learn what is being taught, so that they can help their children at home, but also for the children's sake as they obtain a tremendous amount of encouragement when they know their parents are interested in their school life. I have also found that children are selfconscious about their clothes and their lunches, particularly if these items are not as good as those of the other children. Again, their self-respect is damaged, and this affects their school work and their mental processes. Every possible situation should be checked to ensure your child starts off and continues to be an ‘advantaged’ child at all levels of educational training.