At Kairos we aim to forge a collaborative relationship between home and school. The work we do at school is built upon the foundation laid by parents at home. Children benefit the most when their home and school lives are complementary. To that end, we ask that parents provide their child with a home life that supports:
1. Deep and genuine relationships
As parents, you are the face of God to your children. It is the right of every child to experience the divine love reflected in the love and care they receive from their parents.
2. Parenting that supports the development of self-discipline and good manners
Children need clear and firm boundaries so that they can develop their self-discipline and learn to know right from wrong. In order to develop their will, children need to be able to exercise age-appropriate control over themselves and their environments within safe and reasonable boundaries. Children deserve to be free from discipline rooted in rewards and punishments and particularly from corporal punishment, which is detrimental to the child’s inner psyche and to their relationships with adults.
3. Independence and a meaningful role in family life
Children need opportunities to grow in independence and self-mastery. Parents can facilitate this by accommodating the physical home to meet the needs of the child through child-friendly furnishings, equipment, and materials and especially by consciously involving children in the daily tasks of the home such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and caring for pets and plants. Role model it for your child.
4. Protection from passive media and screen time
Screen time has three detrimental effects on the child’s development. First, it is very easy to lose control over the content presented to the child, which can often be of questionable value as well as age inappropriate given the child’s stage of development. Second, the nervous system responds to passive media by entering a neurological state that does not support healthy brain growth. Third, the time spent enthralled by passive media is time not spent on activities that have positive effects on development.
5. A peaceful home environment with time for relaxation
Children need a slow-paced lifestyle to allow them time to assimilate and integrate their experiences, to daydream without interruption, and to be bored enough to think creatively. We encourage parents to protect their children from the over-stimulation and heightened excitement caused by noisy, hectic environments both inside and outside the home.
6. Quality activities and materials at home
Children need open-ended time at home with puzzles, books, maps, music, art materials, science materials, gardening supplies, musical instruments, athletic equipment, dress-up clothes and tools. Be mindful of clutter and plastic - rotate the activities and materials that you have available.
7. Outdoor activities and time in nature
Children benefit immensely from ample hours of serenity in nature, time for vigorous outdoor activities, and uninterrupted free play.
8. A highly nutritious diet and generous hours of sleep
Children need good nutrition and plenty of rest to meet the demands of the school day. Children should come to school well rested and having a protein-rich breakfast.
9. An age-appropriate social life
Together with families, we are committed to offering a community that preserves and protects the innocence of childhood. Modern society pushes children to skip ahead and experience the world as though they were more developed than they are. We encourage parents to support a social life appropriate to their child’s plane of development.
10. Collaborative Partnership
A respectful and collaborative relationship between the school and the families is expected at all times.
Academic
- Freedom
I/We understand and accept that our child(ren) will have the freedom to learn at his/her/their own pace and in a direction of his/her/their own choice.
- Montessori Philosophy
I/We trust and understand that the philosophy of the Montessori approach to education has a different emphasis, is not comparable to the ‘conventional’ approach and is a 9 year journey (3 year-old - 12 year-old) after which there is a seamless transition into our Adolescent Programme.
- Curriculum
I/We understand our child(ren) will be guided and directed in their work to ensure a broad based curriculum is accessed each week.
- British National Standards
I/We understand and accept that our child(ren)’s academic development will not be ruled by external examining bodies. The British National Standards will always be at the forefront of the planning for my/our child(ren), and appropriately recorded.
- Following the child
I/We accept that our child(ren) will learn about the subject that most engages their interest and trust in the Montessori method and that my/our child(ren) will leave Kairos Montessori as independent, confident learner(s).
- Absences
I/We understand that our child(ren) need(s) to attend school at the designated times and only under consent of the School, may exceptionally be absent during the School year.
- Student Participation
I/We understand our child(ren) need(s) to be able to fully participate in the Kairos Montessori School day in an appropriate way, in order that all children in the School can work undisturbed.
- Parent Education Night
I/We will aim to attend all Parent Education evenings held at the school to assist us to uphold the Montessori philosophy.
- Parent Teacher Conferences
I/We will attend all Parent Teacher conferences, in the knowledge they are critical milestones for the partnership to be successful.
- Homework
I/We understand that my/our child(ren) will not receive regular homework, but that they have weekly Maths facts and Spelling practice. Older students will be required to engage in regular homework and must keep up with any revision or homework that is asked of them.
- Reading and being read to
I/We aim to listen to and read to our child(ren) daily, supporting their learning, guided by school’s recommendations and that I/we will read to our child(ren) every evening. For an older student, they are regularly independently reading a book that is age appropriate.
- Great Lessons
I/We are aware of their Great Lessons and areas of learning and be interested/ part of their extended learning at home.
- Maths topic
I/We are aware of the Maths topics being studied across the year and will agree to put suggestions into being.
- Punctuality
I/We understand that my/our child(ren) need(s) to be in school for a sharp 8:30 start - we recommend they arrive at 8:20 in order to be ready when the gate opens. Pick up is at 4:00. Note: For Children’s House only there is an extended drop-off window from 8:30 - 8:40 and in the afternoon from 3:45 - 4:00.
- Farm care (applicable to the Adolescent Programme)
I/We understand that my Adolescent(s) is/are responsible and need(s) to be supported to be at the farm at 8:00 on the days they are caring for the animals and produce based on the pre-planned rota.
Schools Aims:
- Commitment to deliver a broad based, rounded education looking at each child holistically - spiritual and physical formation as well as academic excellence.
- Commitment to provide high standards of teaching that will meet an individual’s required attainment for transition, in due course, into tertiary education, vocation and/or employment.
- To achieve a high standard of work and behaviours by building up good relationships and developing a sense of responsibility.
- To care for your child(ren)’s safety and development.
- To inform you of your child(ren)’s progress at regular meetings.