Onderwerp zoeken?
Typ hier uw onderwerp in
Start conversation.
The school year often starts with a start or introduction meeting. What can you expect from a start meeting? Why is the start meeting important?
What is the start meeting?
You have a start or introduction meeting at the beginning of the school year. You meet your child’s teacher or mentor. This makes it easier to contact them if something is wrong. You build a good partnership from the start of the school year.
With or without the child?
More schools invite your child to join the start meeting. In primary school your child may just listen or play while you talk with the teacher.
In secondary school your child can often decide more about the meeting. Decide together with your child if you go together or if you as parents go alone.
Introduction meeting
The start meeting is about getting to know each other. The school will give you and your child space to talk about things your child cares about.
Think about hobbies and interests or special talents and qualities. There is also space to talk about your child’s health, support at school and other things the teacher or mentor should know.
Building a good relationship
Start meetings are a good chance to build a bond with the teacher or mentor. That is why it is important for your child to go to a start meeting together.
Your child can then see that you want a good start with the teacher or mentor and that you are there for your child together. You and the teacher also know how to find each other faster later if needed, for example for bullying in and around school, a question about special leave or truancy.
Expressing expectations
During a start or introduction meeting, you, your child and the teacher can share expectations about the coming school year. Think about repeating agreements made last year or how the year will go.
Maybe you will already agree on how you and the school will work together to help your child.
Preparation
To prepare for a start meeting, it is important to talk with your child about how last school year went and what you expect from the coming school year. Are there things a new teacher or mentor should know?
Write this down so you know what you want to ask or say during the introduction meeting. If agreements are made during the meeting, it is important to write those down too.
If you want to discuss more, you can always make a follow-up appointment with your child’s teacher or mentor.