Students are being impacted by the shock to society.Credit:Michele Mossop
Many kids have been resilient,but others have developed renewed separation anxiety and their ability to cope with challenges has gone backwards. Negative behaviour is also rising more quickly,say school staff canvassed byTheSun-Herald.
"It is exacerbating whatever the child is struggling with,"one primary teacher said."Socially maligned kids have become more withdrawn;kids that struggle to sit in class are rolling on the floor and calling out. I feel the kids have all regressed a bit."
Many have struggled to re-establish the friendships they had before lockdown,or are having more disputes with peers. Some feel they cannot talk to their parents about it because mum and dad have serious stresses of their own.
Principals and teachers say there is less joy at school,exacerbated by the lack of assemblies to build school spirit,or excursions and camps to look forward to.
We can’t shield children now from what’s going on in the world. They’re hearing conversations. They’re seeing things.
Margo Ward,CEO of KidsXpress
"It’s hard to program exciting lessons when excursions and incursions are off the menu,some equipment is banned from use,and we are programming conservatively in case we have to shut down and hand over to parents,"a teacher said.
The casual after-school chats between parents and teachers,and the parent-run clubs,events and fundraisers that bind the school community together,are also off limits as non-essential adults are required to stay outside the school gates.