Children arrive at a new term with reset expectations. Old behaviour patterns are not yet re-established. Students who struggled last term are open to a fresh start. You have a window of several weeks before old dynamics solidify — use it intentionally to build the culture you want in your SRE group.
Why Term Starts Are Special
Reconnect Before You Re-teach
Spend the first five minutes of your first lesson back asking about holidays: 'What was one thing that happened in the break that you didn't expect?' This does two things: it reminds students that you see them as people, not just lesson recipients; and it re-establishes the relational warmth that makes your SRE time distinctive. Learning names again (if you've had a break) is also worth the time.
Brief Review, Then Clear Preview
A two-minute recap of last term's key story or theme — 'Who remembers what we were looking at before the break?' — retrieves prior learning and signals continuity. Then a clear preview of this term: 'This term we're going to look at the life of Jesus — specifically three stories that changed everything.' Orientation reduces anxiety and increases motivation.
Re-establish Expectations Without Drama
If there were behaviour issues last term, address them by stating the positive standard rather than re-litigating last term's failures: 'In our SRE group, we listen respectfully when someone else is talking — that's the most important thing.' Framing expectations positively and briefly at the start of term is more effective than longer conversations about consequences.
