Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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FROM THE HEADMASTER Yearbook 1982 It has often been said that education is very much a partnership between teacher, parent and child; and certainly a source of great en- couragement for ail the staff at Saltus is the degree of parental involvement in the school. Occasionally, however, conflict will arise between teacher and parent and in analysing the situation afterwards it would appear that con- tributing to that conflict is the ambiguity inevitably existing between the two roles. In order to help parents belter understand the basis on which we reach some of our decisions I offer the following comment. One very obvious, initial distinction is that the function of a mother, especially the mother of a very young child, is unlimited, and she is potentially on duty twenty-four hours a day. By contract, the function of a teacher has clearly defined limits. The relationship between parent and child is also marked by a higher degree of intensity. Parents ha e, or should ha e, a noticeably stronger attachment to their child and e erything about him matters. By contrast, a teacher should be more detached, not so far as to be clinical and cold towards the child nor yet so close as to be emotionally in olved. but rather occupying a mid u ay position of detached con- cern, for only then is it possible to evaluate a child ' s progress realistically. It is not uncommon, nor is it a cause for concern, for parents to be irrational, using their minds in the service of their hearts, whereas a teacher reasons his or her actions on sound principles of learning. Inevitably, parents tend to be biased in favour of their child but it is im- portant that a teacher remain impartial, allow ing his or her skills to be equally accessible to all. Finally, there is ambiguity over what I would call strength of responsibility. Parents are concerned about one individual but a teacher must be concerned about the welfare of the whole group. It is an interesting thought that there is increasing pressure on teachers of young children to be maternal, w hilst there is also some pressure on parents to be instructional, for instance in preparing a very young child for school. Despite this, parents and teachers do have distinctive roles of which, as a father who treads the tight rope of having three sons in the school, 1 am onl too well aware. But the realisation of separate roles should not be a source of w orry despite occasional conflict , for we all ha o in common the same ultimate aim — the best possi- ble education for the children. 1 would conclude by repeating that the asi majoritv of our parents throughout the school ha e their supportive roles very clearly in view and thev ' make it possible for all the teachers to function to the best effect. 1

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TRUSTEES H.C. Butterfield, Esq. — Chairman J. Amos, Esq. D. Anfossi, Esq. J. Burland, Esq. Dr. D.E. Campbell H.C.D. Cox, Esq. N.B. Dill, Jr., Esq. F.J. Gosling, M.B.E. C.E. Pearman, Esq. Dr. E.S.D. Ratteray D.C. Selley, Esq. L. Simmons, Esq. D. Tolaram, Esq. G. Titterton, Esq. Saltus Grammar School Bursar: Mr. G. Rosser Might we take this opportunity to bid a very warm welcome to our three new trustees, Mr. J. Amos, Mr. D. Tolaram and Dr. E.S.D. Rat- teray. It is our hope that their association with the school will be both a long and happy one.

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CAVENDISH PREPARATORY