By Wendy Williamson
There were a lot of lessons to be learnt at Silvan Primary School on Responsibility Day.
Perhaps the most valuable one of all was the responsibility it takes to be a teacher.
On Wednesday 29 November teachers became students and the Grade 6 students became the teachers.
The school captains became ‘Principal McAllister’ and ‘Vice-Principal Brilli.’
They led a team of seven young ‘teachers’ working in pairs or threes at the 34-pupil school, following a timetable the children had planned themselves with the help of the adult teachers.
There was general agreement that the topsy-turvy day was a lot of fun – for the ‘teachers’ and their young charges.
It was not all smooth sailing, though.
“It is hard when people don’t listen,” said ‘Mr McAllister.’ “Sometimes you have to use extreme measures.”
‘Yes, I had to use the airhorn to get some kids to co-operate,” said ‘Mr Currie.’
‘Miss Brilli’ and ‘Miss Passingham’ said they had to sort out an argument in down ball, while they were doing yard duty.
“But mostly the kids listen to you. They understand we’re in charge,” they said.
School principal Damien Tirchett and the other adult teachers said the Grade 6 students had stepped up to their new responsibilities remarkably well.
Teacher Corinne remarked after watching one class: “They had everything planned, just like you have to in a lesson. Even when one of the kids finished early, they thought of a game to play on the spot. I was very impressed with their quick thinking.”
The youngsters said they already had some understanding of how hard teachers worked, but the chance to step into their shoes had given them a new appreciation.
