Issue 1 / 6 February 2015
Middle/Senior School Bulletin
Middle & Senior School News At St Andrews we have a strong focus on developing young men and women of character. We are also committed to the pursuit of academic excellence and a growth mindset towards the pursuit of success; academic and otherwise. To that end, this year we are continuing to implement Dimensions of Learning as our Learning and Teaching Framework and Habits of Mind. There are 16 Habits of Mind that encourage us to make well-considered (intelligent) choices. Four Habits will be explored, and celebrated each term across Years 7-12 and in Term 1 we are looking at the Self-Regulating Habits of: Managing Impulsivity, Persisting, Thinking Interdependently, and Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. Parents might like to reinforce these habits at home. Further information about this framework can be found on the College Website.
the ‘Feel Good February’ campaign, this month we will also be encouraging students to ‘pay it forward’ and to look for simple, thoughtful ways to make others feel good by being a ‘good finder.’ This aligns with the 3 good things exercise we ask students to complete weekly in their diary. Parent Information Evenings Thank you to all of the Middle School parents who attended our Parent Information Evening this week. If you were unable to attend, the materials covered can be accessed through Parent Lounge next week. Senior School parents and students are reminded that next Monday 9 February is the Senior School Parent Evening which starts at 5.00pm and is compulsory for students. Students are asked to wear their College uniform.
Celebrating Excellence On Friday our OP 1 – 5 graduates from 2014 joined us for our Senior School Awards Assembly where we celebrated academic achievement, improvement and effort in Semester Two 2014. Past student, Jameson Cosier was inspirational in his address to the students about goal setting, maintaining a balanced approach to the demands of your studies and striving to achieve your personal best. Next Week The Year 7 Orientation Camp is being held next Monday and Tuesday. This is an important ‘community building’ camp. As mentioned above, Monday night is also the Senior School Parent Evening. Next Friday is our Year 12 students first QCS preparation workshop for 2015. Also on Friday the Middle School Awards Assembly (8.30am in the Worship Centre) and our Secondary School Disco (7.00 – 9.30pm) will be held at the College.
Feel Good February This year across the Secondary School we will continue to embed the wellbeing model of PERMA (Positive Emotions, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment). In support of
Year 8 & Year 10 Immunisation Consent Forms Families with students in Years 8 & 10 should have received a consent form this week as part of the Queensland Health’s annual School Immunisation Program. These forms can either be returned directly to Senior or Middle School Administration or returned via the reply paid envelope enclosed with the forms. All forms must be returned no later than Friday 13 February.
Individually and as a community of young people, I pray that our students continue to seek opportunities to ‘pay it forward’ and to make significant contributions within and beyond our community with a sense of purpose and wellbeing during ‘Feel Good February’ and beyond. Every blessing Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School virginiaw@salc.qld.edu.au
and brings blessing not only to us individually but to all with whom we interact. John wrote his words 2,000 years ago but the truth contained within them is timeless. God’s love for each of us through Christ is eternal and we are privileged to live in His Love at St Andrews. May all of us share God’s love with each other in the year ahead. Lets savour it and be open to it bringing beauty into all our relationships. Graeme Schache Chaplain
Middle School News Chaplains Chat Love Drives Out All Fear! The disciple John describes God’s love for each of us in the following way - Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:18-19 The staff of St Andrews begin each new school year with a two day retreat where we have time to warmly welcome new members of staff, refocus on what is most important in our roles as educators at St Andrews and be enriched through guest presenters sharing insights that encourage and empower us for the year ahead. This year our keynote speaker was Amanda Gore and she shared a variety of concepts with us. Her main focus was on how we as staff have the responsibility of bringing light, life and love into all our relationships, be they with students, staff or parents. She highlighted that this task is made difficult by the fears we have developed over the years – with one of the chief fears being FOWOT – Fear Of What Others Think.
Our fears grow out of how we feel about ourselves. If we are content with who we are then we are more inclined to embrace others and their needs. On the other hand, if we are unsure about our own worth it tends to lead us to be suspicious of others and their motives and this in turn damages the manner in which we interact with each other. As we live out our lives reassured of God’s love – that we belong to Him and we are secure in His care forever, we are filled with an inexpressible joy. The knowledge of His love brings us deep peace. It is this love that drives out all fear
Welcome back to the start of 2015 and I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas season with their families. The start of the year is always a wonderful time of freshness, new ambitions and preparedness. Nonetheless, it can also be a time of anxiousness for some of our students as they invariably move from the known to the unknown. For the great majority of students this anxiety about change will dissipate within a couple of weeks. It is often beneficial to ask questions each afternoon or evening which elicit responses from our children about the positive elements of their day. Questions like, what was the highlight of your day? If your child is experiencing anxieties about their schooling then please feel free to make contact with their LAG teacher or myself directly. In 2014 the College began an implementation plan for the ‘Dimensions of Learning’ framework. This year we enter our second stage of this implementation. Please take a moment to ask your child about ‘Habits of Mind’ and how they are working to develop positive approaches to their learning. I look forward to seeing our students use meaningful strategies to reflect upon their learning and to engage with their schooling. A few procedural matters in order to make the start of the year as smooth as possible: • Middle School Administration is located upstairs in ‘D’ Block adjacent to the Junior School Administration and staffed by Ms Jestrimski. • Year Level Coordinators should be the first point of contact for specific information regarding a year level. They are Year 7 - Mrs Lisa Roper, Year 8 - Ms Colleen Dockstader and Year 9 - Mr Christophe Tanguy. • Sports uniform should only be worn to and from the College on Thursdays. • Please check and sign your child’s diary weekly in order to facilitate regular communication between the College and home. As always, please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss anything further. Tom Casey Head of Middle School tomc@salc.qld.edu.au
Senior School News Positive Education In the Senior School we continue to work closely with our students and staff to assist them to develop the skills that will help them to flourish. Flourishing is that combination of feeling good and doing well through increasing positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievements or what the experts call PERMA (Seligman). Like Seligman the Senior School Pastoral Care Team believe that “it is possible that schools could teach both the skills of well-being and the skills of achievement… imagine positive education” (Seligman, 2011). Our goal is to bring the science of positive psychology together with best-practice teaching to encourage and support the individuals within our community to flourish. Senior School students have worked on setting their goals with personal bests and target GPA and EPA’s in mind and completed their Character Strengths Questionnaire (p.21-22 of Diary). It is important to know what our strengths are and how they can be used to enhance our learning, relationships and improve our sense of self. If any parents are interested in completing the strengths questionnaire the link is to follow https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/ Year 12 Retreat Eighty students and teachers attended the Year 12 Retreat last Thursday and Friday at Burleigh Christian Youth Camp. We were blessed with some wonderful weather, enthusiastic students and passionate staff members. Thank you Mr Nelson, Mrs Washington and Miss Yeo. The retreat was a great launchpad for making 2015 our best year ever. I look forward to working with the Years 12’s as leaders and am sure that it really will be a great year for them and the College. As Mrs Washington said, “It will be a pleasure to serve them.”
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ideas and forge networks of support that will help to sustain them over a very busy and demanding year. Our leaders always come back from Enthuse saying it was a great week, life-changing and so energising to meet other like-minded people. Our College Captaincy Team (Finn, Melissa, Jacinda and Braden) also spent a week of the holiday painting and decorating the Senior Common Room as a surprise for the other Year 12s. It was really appreciated by the cohort and it has certainly brightened the area 100%.
Some General Housekeeping Please ensure that: • Your child has a lock on their locker. • The correct uniform is worn each day. If there is an issue, please send an email or note to the College. • Hair is neat, tidy and boys have a conservative hairstyle (as per the uniform policy p.31 of diary). • Sports shoes are predominantly white. If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me on tanias@salc.qld.edu.au Tania Stewart Head of Senior School
Careers News Year 12 QCS Preparation Workshops begin NEXT FRIDAY 13 February. This the first of a series of all-day workshops aimed at specifically getting our Year 12 students ready for the QUEENSLAND CORE SKILLS TESTS in Term Three (Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September). Students and parents are strongly advised not to book appointments, driving tests, holidays, etc on these days as every session is a vital part of our Year 12 program. Students are disadvantaged if they miss workshops. Please mark the other QCS Workshop dates in your diaries: They are Friday 6 March, Friday 27 March, Friday 1 May, Friday 22 May, Friday 31 July and Friday 21 August. Year 12 students and parents are welcome to make an appointment to see Mrs Wrigley to discuss the QCS, OP/Selection Rank and university/post Year 12 plans. Year 11 Students: Elective courses are now well underway for our Year 11 students. All courses are two year courses so students are urged to commit to their studies. However, if students are uncertain about their electives they should discuss their career plans with Mrs Wrigley.
Congratulations to: • College Captain Melissa Maessen, Vice Captains Jacinda Pagels and Braden Cosier and Student Council Executive Chad Nicholls who attended the Enthuse camp in the last week of the school holidays. Enthuse is a leadership camp run by Lutheran Youth Queensland and is a wonderful opportunity for our student leaders to meet, share
Several vacancies for school based traineeships with local employers are coming through in career areas such as Hospitality, Business Administration, Tourism and Commercial Cookery. Interested students should contact Mrs Wrigley for more details. An up to date resume is necessary for any applications we place. Year 10 Students Work Experience Year 10 students have been sent a letter about their week of
WORK EXPERIENCE. This is scheduled for th last week of this semester (15-19 June). At this stage, students should be considering and researching possible workplaces and employers. On the morning of 23 February, Year 10 students will take part in their first career designated event in our DESTINATIONS program. Students will be given more information and advice about work experience at this event. Queensland University of Technology: Pulse on Anatomy Secondary students (Year 11 and 12) with an interest in Medicine and/or Allied Health careers can undertake university level modules on anatomy at QUT, Gardens Point. Each standard module costs $900 and consists of a two-and-ahalf-hour class each week for three weeks, 6:00pm-8:30pm on the specified dates. Registration for the first module closes Wednesday 25 February. https://www.qut.edu.au/study/short-courses-and-professional-development/short-courses/pulse-on-anatomy UMAT 2015 UMAT is a test that is used specifically to assist with the selection of students into the Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science degree programs at undergraduate level at the universities listed on the website. Registrations for UMAT 2015 are now open and close 5:00pm (AEST) 5 June 2015. The test takes place nationally on the 29 July 2014. http://umat.acer.edu.au/ Cultural Care Au Pair Information Sessions Offers work placements as au pairs/nannies in the US. Past au pairs will share their experiences and advice. • Online: Monday 9 February, 5pm (AEST) • Brisbane: Saturday 14 February, 10am @ EF International Language School, 164 Melbourne St, Brisbane • Gold Coast: Saturday 21 February, 9:30am @ 87 Village Way, Oxenford Find out more by checking out their website: http://culturalcare.com.au/join-info-meeting/ Christina Wrigley Head of Learning and Teaching christina@salc.qld.edu.au
Student Development Hope for the Year Ahead What are our hopes for our children this year? Engaged learning, improved relationships, active healthy participation in sport and culture; virtuous, kind and patient action around the house that shows us our investment in them is paying off and their character development is obvious? It is worth communicating our hopes to our children, and asking them to articulate their hopes for 2015. The struggle with many young people is that these hopes may not be realistic, ie. tending to be overly optimistic or overly pessimistic! In Shane Lopez’s work on Hope Theory several important ideas are presented that can help us to reframe these conversations about hopes and goals towards actions that lead
our young people forward towards growth and personal bests. Three are to follow: 1. Goals: Having an orientation towards future accomplishment, growth, discovery, learning; 2. Pathways: Crafting multiple ways forward, anticipating obstacles and strategies around, over or through these; 3. Agency: A will and sense of efficacy that one can make small changes that lead to new behaviours or results. Student diaries are a wonderful tool. Teachers will continue to help students chart a course of measurable actions and pathways towards these goals in their diaries. Parents are encouraged to read the diary weekly. Realistically this learning process takes years and students will inevitably learn through their successes and their failures. The challenge for us as adults is to help orientate our young people towards what is possible, towards Hope. James Nelson Director of Student Development jamesn@salc.qld.edu.au
Performing Arts News PAT 2015 All PAT lessons commenced this week. PAT teachers have contacted students with their times, timetables are also available on Moodle and on Studio Windows. For PAT teachers contact details please visit the College website. This year we welcome several new Tutors to our PAT Team: Eliza Fish will join Kristine Dennis as our Vocal Tutors Eliza has a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Voice) from the Conservatorium of Music and a Masters of Music Therapy. She has worked at St Edmunds College and The Southport School as a teacher of Voice and is also the lead singer of the Funk Factory Big Band. Nicola Stewart - PAT Speech and Drama Tutor Nicola recently arrived to Australia from London where she has enjoyed a professional acting career that has spanned 15 years and included TV, Film, Theatre and Radio work. She has also worked as a Drama Tutor in schools and Music Theatre Companies and has experience working through LAMDA Exams (equivalent to Trinity College, London). Julie Whiting - PAT Percussion and Bass Guitar Tutor Julie has a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Secondary Teaching as well as a Masters of Education. She has a wealth of experience as a music tutor, conductor and musical director. Julie is also Director of Blue Fish Theatrical. Katrina O’Neal Katrina joins us as PAT Admin Assistant and will respond to all emails sent to performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au Kim Reynolds remains with us one day a week, focusing on all things creative.
Ensembles All Choirs and Ensembles commenced Week 2. Rehearsals are as follows: String Ensemble - Monday 7.30am - JS Music Room Kate Oakley-Grant kateo@salc.qld.edu.au Golden Clefs - Tuesday 7.45am - JS Music Room Kristine Dennis kristined@salc.qld.edu.au Semitone Choir -Wednesday 7.45am - JS Music Room Kristine Dennis kristined@salc.qld.edu.au Mini Musos - Wednesday 7.30am - RBT Matt Pearson mattp@salc.qld.edu.au Lauren Washington laurenw@salc.qld.edu.au Jazz Band - Wednesday 3.30pm – 4.30pm - RBT Anthony Simmonds anthonys@salc.qld.edu.au Concert Band - Thursday 7.30am - RBT Anthony Simmonds - anthonys@salc.qld.edu.au JS Concert Band - Thursday 7.30am - J24 Julie Whiting juliew@salc.qld.edu.au MS/SS Choir - Thursday 7.45 am - J17 Kristine Dennis kristined@salc.qld.edu.au 13 The Musical Congratulations to the following students who were involved in the NAPA Summer School Production of 13 The Musical over the holidays. It is always wonderful to see our young performers extending themselves through involvement in productions in the wider community. Well done to Lucy Hourn, Leilani Frost, Cassia Golledge, Ebony Pitchers, Samantha Todd, Claudia Steele and Bella Jansen. Cilla Scott Head of Arts priscillas@salc.qld.edu.au
Sport News Head of Sport On Tuesdays Mr Manion will now be located in the HPE office under J Block with Mr Carter. This will make it much easier for Senior students to contact Mr Manion regarding any Sports related enquiries. Mr Manion can also be contacted by email: andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au District Sport Carnivals and Trials Due to some changes within the School Sport South Coast region, ALL 10 to 19 year old St Andrews’ students will now trial via the HINTERLAND DISTRICT. This applies for Carnivals (Swim, Cross Country and Athletics) and Sports Team selection trials. The Gold Coast South (Primary) and Independent (Secondary) Districts do not exist anymore. Don’t forget to email or see Mr Manion if you are interested in attending District Sport Carnivals and/or Trials in 2015. Reminders will be in student notices, various publications and the College website as trial dates approach, but it is every students’ responsibility to check the dates and contact Mr Manion if they are interested in such events. District Swimming Trials The Hinterland Green Swimming Carnival for 10 – 19 year old swimmers is at TSS on Monday 23 February. Any students who wish to participate at this Carnival/District Trial must contact Mr Manion to collect a selection application form. Successful students will be notified and further information will then be supplied. St Andrews Swimming Carnivals Years 7-12 - Thursday 26 February Years 4-6 - Friday 27 February To be held at Somerset College Pool. More information will be circulated soon. Running Club After doing a magnificent job with our groups in recent years, JK Faulkner has completed University Qualifications and now gained employment. He is unable to take Running Club again in 2015 so our coach this year is another ex-St Andrews student and qualified HPE teacher, Ms Casey West. Run Club will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays (change from last year) beginning Week 4, Monday 16 February. Members should meet at the Top Oval at 7am. Sessions will go for approximately one hour. Members will be able to purchase the running club singlet and receive achievement awards for attendance and km run. You will require an information sheet and permission form. This will be available from Mr Manion and Ms West very soon.
We hope to see an impressive turn out this year to train for the Cross Country, Track and Field Carnivals and Kokoda as well as generally improving your health and wellbeing. Run Club caters for families of all students in Years 4-12 no matter what your needs and abilities are.
Tuckshop News
Schools Tennis Competition The 2015 Inter-School Tennis Challenge is to be held at Queens Park Tennis Centre at the end of February. This competition will now incorporate Senior (Years 10, 11, 12) Middle (Years 7, 8, 9) and Primary (Years 4, 5, 6). Please contact Mr Manion for more details. Entries close on Friday 20 February.
Welcome to Term 1 Just a reminder that you will need to update your children’s class for 2015 on Flexi Schools. You will be prompted to do this upon your first log in.
Student Achievements Already in 2015 we have some amazing sporting achievements to celebrate. Four students have qualified to represent St Andrews and South Coast at the State Triathlon Championships which is to be held in Hervey Bay, 19 – 21 February. Congratulations to: Emily Richards, William Atkinson, Kieran Croker and Lachlan Richards We look forward to hearing about their races at the State Championships. Kieran Croker has also achieved some outstanding results in other Triathlon events also. During the break, Kieran was successful in managing 15th place in the Australian Super Sprint Triathlon ITU series event held at Runaway Bay on 1214 December. He then showed great improvement to be the 10th placed Australian at the Oceania ITU Series race held in Penrith on 9 January. Very impressive results for Kieran’s first ever National events.
This term will see a few exciting changes in the way purchases are made at the Tuckshop. Students in Years 7-12 and staff will have the opportunity to link their Student Card up with Flexi Schools. To make use of this service you will need to already have a Flexi School account. If you don’t have an account, just visit www.flexischools. com.au and register. From there you will be sent a confirmation email from which you can set up your account. If you have any questions about Flexi Schools or need help registering, I’m more than happy to help you. Volunteers Tuckshop is looking for volunteers to help out. If you simply have an hour to spare, we would greatly appreciate your help. Duties would include restocking drinks, ice blocks etc or if you would like to help out in the kitchen, duties would include helping with the receiving and packing of Tuckshop orders and sandwich making. There will be no cash handling or counter service.
Katie Hayward has continued her excellent form by winning the Silver Medal in her Race Walk Event at the National Championships in Adelaide in December. Katie also set a new Personal Best time in her event. If you have any questions please contact Mr Manion at: andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au Andrew Manion Head of Sport
Dates to Remember - February Monday 9 Year 7 Orientation Camp Year 11 Tech Studies Excursion SS Parent Evening - WC - 5:00pm Tuesday 10 Year 7 Orientation Camp Year 10 Visual Arts Excursion Friday 13 Year 12 QCS Prep Workshop MS Academic Awards Ceremony - WC - 8:30am MS/SS Disco - RBT - 7:00-9:30pm
If this sounds like you, please call in and see us or email: tuckshop@salc.qld.edu.au Trina van der Kamp Tuckshop Manager
P&F News Welcome back to school and to all new parents we hope you have settled into life at St Andrews. The General Meeting for Term 1 will be held on Wednesday 11 March at 7pm in the CRC. We welcome any new parents to come along and find out what the P & F is all about. If you have any agenda items for discussion please email the Secretary at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au by Friday 6 March. Attending meetings is a great opportunity to have input into school projects which the P & F fund. Everyone is welcome so please join us. If anyone has any suggestions or comments and cannot make the next meeting please email the P & F at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au Dates for General Meetings in 2015 We only meet once a term, so put these dates in your diary. All meetings start at 7:00pm in the CRC. Term One – Wednesday 11 March Term Two – Wednesday 10 June Term Three – Wednesday 12 August Term Four – Wednesday 25 November - AGM Fete – 16 May 2015 There will be a Fete meeting held in the Junior School Staffroom on Wednesday 18 February at 3.30pm. Please see the Fete Flyer for more information. Picnic in the Park The annual Picnic in the Park will be held on Friday 13 March in the Junior School Playground. There will be jumping castles for the kids, music for the adults and a relaxing atmosphere for parents to meet some of the teachers at the College. This will also be a wonderful opportunity for familes to meet our new Pastor and his family. A sausage sizzle and drinks will be available for purchase to assist in funding the event.
REMINDER: TO ALL PARENTS Please ensure all Tours/Excursions are accepted via the Parent Lounge. This is a requirement for the beginning of each year.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please do not send any nut products to the College with your child. We ask that any products such as peanut butter, nut bars, etc. be left at home. Your support in ensuring the safety of students with severe allergies to these products is appreciated. Corina Sills - College Nurse
St andrews fete Saturday 16 may 2015 FETE MEETING The first Fete meeting of 2015 will be held on Wednesday 18 February at 3.30pm in the Junior School Staffroom. Everyone is welcome and we are looking for some new ideas.
GENERAL STALL CONVENOR We are looking for a convenor who will be looking after the stalls not relating to food. All of these stalls have run successfully at previous Fetes so you will have plenty of support.
CHOCOLATE BED We will be looking for lots and lots of chocolate for this stall. It is one of the biggest fundraisers on the day. We will be collecting from the beginning of Term 2 – but please consider putting an extra block in your trolley when you go shopping or when it is on special between now and the Fete!!
STALLHOLDERS WANTED A number of stalls have already been filled, but we are open to new ideas. If you have any ideas or are interested in running a stall or if you were a Stall Convenor at the last Fete and are interested in running your stall again in May 2015 could you please let us know by emailing the P & F at:
ARE YOU OUR NEXT MAJOR SPONSOR? If you are interested in getting involved contact the P & F President – Daniel Renneberg on 0409 729 676
CENT AUCTION We are looking for someone to run the Cent Auction which is one of the major fundraisers of the Fete. If you are interested, this is a very fulfilling role. We are also looking for major donations of prizes for the cent auction. If you have a business and want to showcase what you sell please donate to the auction for all to see. Contact any of the P & F committee for futher details.
fete@salc.edu.qld.au
THE RIDES ARE BOOKED!
Please consider helping out at the College’s biggest fundraiser. All the profits go directly back to the College. It has been decided the funds will go to upgrade the amenities within the MPH.
Fete 2015 - Volume 1, Issue 3 - St Andrews Parents and Friends
INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships WORDS Michael Grose
Making a smooth start to secondary school
Getting used to new subjects and new teachers, as well as forming new friendships, are just some of the requirements of this transition. Starting secondary school is a time of change and uncertainty, which places new demands on young people. Being at the bottom of the pecking order where they are unsure of the playground hierarchies is just one adjustment that they need to make. Some kids take these new experiences in their stride but it is natural to experience some difficulty, particularly when it’s accompanied by the potentially unsettling transition from childhood to adolescence. It’s no coincidence that many research projects indicate that children’s learning levels out in the transition year, presumably because the social tasks of adjustment take precedence over academic performance.
It helps to remember the Four P’s to help your young person settle in: 1 Promote friendships The quicker kids form new friendships the sooner they’ll feel comfortable in their secondary school surroundings. Encourage your young person to be open to forming friendships with all sorts of kids; to be accepting of others who may be different to them; to take social risks by joining in activities even though they may feel uncomfortable; and to be friendly, approachable and positive!
2 Practice patience Patience and understanding in the early weeks is essential. Brush up on your listening skills as you help your young person adjust. Talk to your young person about change and reassure them that it is normal to feel unsure or nervous in new circumstances. Let them know that many difficulties they face will be temporary.
3 Pursue a positive attitude Confidence is catching so make sure you see this transition time as an exciting challenge that your child can handle rather than an event to be feared. Ask them about the new subjects or interesting activities they are doing, and try to shift their focus to the positive aspects of school. Discuss settling in issues with the appropriate person such as a year level coordinator, but give your young person time to handle them on their own before seeking help.
4 Process their day Some young people may come home with fairly exaggerated accounts of secondary school and may not always paint a fair picture. They may become sensitive to things that they might have shrugged off in primary school. Listen without judgment and show a real interest in their new school, while providing
them with the space they need to get away for a while. Expect some behaviour blowouts as many kids let off steam in the relatively safe and stable environment of a loving family. If your eldest is starting, then secondary school will be a relatively new experience for you too. It will take some time for you to adjust to the school’s culture and communication methods. Although secondary schools may seem a little foreign for those used to the relative intimacy of primary schools, one aspect is the same – outcomes for students are maximised when schools and parents work together in the best interests of the student. One way to support your young person’s school is by actively promoting the school’s values. For instance, if respect is a prominent school value then you can discuss this in relation to the way your young person behaves around friends, relatives and family. Most importantly, talk up your young person’s new school, rather than talk it down, as kids of all ages take their cues from the most significant adults in their lives – their parents!
Michael Grose
e from Michael Grose. Join Stay one step ahead of your kids with great ideas & expert advic b.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did. Michael’s NEW Parentingideas Club today at parentingideasclu © 2015 Michael Grose
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