For some students, report time brings with it a sense of fear; fear of what might be said or exposed, a lack of understanding or potentially effort.
For most, there is a vocal or quiet sense of excitement as they look forward to that warm feeling that comes when they read the words of encouragement written on the page or see the results gained.
My own children were always eager to read what had been said or reported about them, to share successes, and even to understand where they had fallen short. As parents, my wife and I use reports as an opportunity to encourage, to celebrate, and to reflect with our children. It is a useful time to reflect on goals and their progress towards them, to consider the need for action, or the opportunities to come.
As parents, we delight in the successes of our children and recognise that success looks quite different for each of them. What we valued so much in the reports and comments of teachers was the reflection of growth, particularly growth in character and faith. As much as we delight in and encourage the academic success of our children, there is something enduring in those glimpses of Christ-like character, the promise of a life lived in relationship with God.
“As parents, we delight in the successes of our children and recognise that success looks quite different for each of them. ”
The apostle Paul writes of his determination to attain an enduring goal, “…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me….Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”.
As a family, we celebrate the successes of our children but deeply value the character building that comes through the messages that they receive in our home, in their school, and through our church community. For us, the real prize is a life indelibly marked by God and lived for Him.
As you read your own child’s report and speak to their teacher in our parent-teacher sessions, remember to look for and celebrate their academic successes but also to rejoice in the growing characters that reflect the work of God in their lives.
Scott Ambrose — Principal