Before Christmas gets away from me I want to make an attempt to describe the effect that some recent student performances have had upon me.
As a child, I was not a performer, and in fact I skipped classes, feigned illness and lied in order to escape participating in both solo and team public performances and events. It's not something that I'm proud to admit, but at the time it was self-preservation. I was a quiet achiever.
Of course, there were several factors determining my lack of self-confidence during my school years, but I recall with dismay the high-school English Master's methods of dealing with shy students; namely, harshness and public ridicule. I'm extremely relieved to see these ineffective teaching practices have now been replaced with gentle but firm persuasion followed up with recognition of effort and result, along with encouragement.
It is comforting to see students treated as individuals of worth.
Fostering self-confidence can be one of the most beneficial things a teacher, parent or citizen can do for the positive development of a child. A child who believes in him/herself will participate more broadly in life with more enthusiasm and with a greater focus on achievement and fulfilment than a child who lacks self-confidence and self-esteem.
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As a spectator at infants/primary-school end-of-year functions last week, I came away with a joyous feeling of pride and hope.
Thinking back to the disrespectful behaviour of the crowd of adults at a recent public meeting where I genuinely felt ashamed to be a part of the proceedings, it's obvious that our children could show parents and citizens a thing or two about common decency, as well as how to conduct one's activities in an orderly fashion while aiming high.
School students can, and do, set an exemplary example within the community. Of course there are plenty of exceptions, just as there are in any other group or fraternity, regardless of age. But unfortunately it appears to be becoming an Aussie trend to tar an entire sector (be it age, ethnicity, financial standing, recreation pursuit, lifestyle choice or belief) with the one brush; one of indifference.
I am well aware that rehearsed performances in a structured environment are completely different to unsupervised individual or group behaviour out amongst society, but one would hope that these character-building and self-development exercises would play a vital role in instilling admirable qualities into our children.
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Teachers had chosen fun and modern songs for the band, choir and concert participants to perform, or perhaps allowed the children to choose their own material. Throughout all performances it was obvious that students were having a jolly good time, not just going through the motions of an exacting production to please their peers.
The band performed the theme music from the popular movies "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Star Wars", and they did a fine job of it too. And the rock band (yes, rock band!) sang, strummed and belted out the haunting melody "Stairway to Heaven".
Students from kindergarten through to year 6 forming the choir sang a lively song, and the Jump-rope-for-heart team performed clever athletic manoeuvrers with ropes with an emphasis on making exercise fun.
Christmas concerts had an Australian flavour and prompted much laughter and applause from the appreciative audience. Skits were not flawless performances with expensive costumes and sets, but were fun team events focusing on co-operation and resourcefulness.
But it was the public speaking at the Presentation Awards Ceremony that really left me stunned. Here were 11 and 12 year-old students who were soon to embark on their high-school education, taking the stage making addresses and introductions, in effect, conducting the ceremony.
I was impressed beyond words, not just by the skill and enthusiasm with which these youngsters undertook their project, but by the resourcefulness and determination they applied if they stumbled with their words; recovery can present a tougher challenge than the original assignment.
With all the negativity in the world around us and within our own communities close at hand, it was a heartening experience to witness such delightful performances and admirable behaviour by these children who will be the adults of tomorrow. Well done!
2 comments:
Gaye, your observations of today's practises confirm my own.
I, too, am heartened by the changes I see in how schools operate, in almost every way.
It is too easy to criticise some aspects of schooling as the media seems compelled to restrict itself to doing; especially of our public schools.
What you have noted is the combination of top quality work and excellent relationships.
I think this mix is the core of teachers' work; of seeking excellence alongside establishing and maintaining respectful relationships with the children as people worthy of the best efforts.
It gives me hope for the future.
If this attitude can be built upon for long enough it might well produce a generation of citizens who can work well with others, but stand alone when they know they must.
These young people are on the way to having the skills to observe their world accurately and to reflect on what they are seeing and being told with well-informed and critical minds.
They will be better equipped than my generation was*, with skills and confidence in them, to respond to personal and public issues articulately and humanely.
What more could a democratic community wish for?
jj
*with the exception of chanting tables :)
jj, thank you for your extremely well-expressed comment.
Yes, forming and maintaining respectful and valuable relationships with a view to individuality and equality is a skill that these wonderful teachers are helping our children to achieve - a skill that will they will carry with them into all facets of their lives.
Tragically some children come from troubled homes, and our teachers are taking on a vital role of fostering self-belief in these children, along with the knowledge that healthy relationships can be achieved.
It is indeed a heartening and eye-opening experience for older adults like myself to become involved with school life and witness the positive changes that have occurred in the education system.
Gaye
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