Ref: 05/008

                                                                                                                21 May 2008                                                               

Dear Parents

DISCIPLINE AT SCHOOL AND HOME

The management and a small committee of staff are busy looking into the disciplinary policy as well as the procedures, in order to make suggestions to the SGB, to streamline it and possibly look into any clashes we might have on the policy, with other higher legislation.  However, some interesting points were raised which I wanted to bring to the attention of our parents.

Definition of “discipline”

Discipline is defined by Webster as “training that corrects, moulds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character”.

A great deal of emphasis has been put on the role of the educator in the lives of their learners but the other role players are not often mentioned when it comes to discipline. The parents have the heaviest obligation as they are in charge of the child for the first 5 to 6 years of its life. The implications of this quote above and all discipline for our children are however relevant for educators, learners, parents, the extended family as well as role-models from the community. (“Values are caught, not taught”.)

It is interesting that a gentleman named David Wilkerson said the following,

“ Every word and deed of a parent is fibre woven into the character of a child, which ultimately determines how that child fits into the fabric of society.”  These words above are frightening in their simplicity. Every word we say or what we do has an impact on whom or what our children become later in a society. The burden on the role players in the life of a child is enormous and we have to learn to say and do things that set a GOOD EXAMPLE.

A gentleman named Greg Pienaar from Unisa wrote that the following involvement by parents, who have children, was necessary. I would like parents to look at their own roles at home and compare the time they spend with their children at present to what he has said about the time they should spend. Please read the points below.

v      Communication with child ± 20 minutes per day

v      Play with child ± an hour a day

v      Listen to child

v      Read to the child ± 4 times a week

v      Discuss life skills

v      Mutual activities – Special time: ± 6 hours during weekends

v      Praise child ± 5 times a day

v      Check homework

v      Know the child’s teacher

v      Attend parent meetings

HOW HAVE YOU FARED? A BIT OF A DISCREPANCY?

Studies have indicated that disciplinary problems will occur at school, if parents are not involved. The above should be part of the daily routine of all learners from grade R to at least grade 6. Please note that at present normal school detentions are ongoing after repeated misdemeanours, while Special Detentions as well as the Good Conduct files for classes to promote good conduct, have been introduced.

Learners should adhere to the following pointers regarding discipline in a school:

v      Be involved in setting rules for the class

v      Must learn to respect all learners

v      Must learn to share the space in class and teacher’s attention

v      Be part of decision making

v      Learn to make good choices – nobody is forced to disobey the code of conduct of a school

v      Pay attention

v      Participate in activities

v      Respond positively

v      Exhibit self discipline

v      Do the work required of them at all times

It is therefore our request to all parents to ensure that they check their roles at home and also ensure that they get involved with the school their child is in, checking homework and discussing the child with the class educator.

Sol Plaatje Greetings

L. Bremner