Middle/Senior School Bulletin Issue 4 / 22 March 2017
Middle & Senior School News
The Year 11 Legal Studies class visited the Brisbane Courthouse to learn about the Queensland Court system and the protocols and practices of the Legal System. Our Year 10 Geography students travelled closer afield and visited Burleigh Heads National Park to learn about environmental change management as this relates to our local environment.
We are not there yet. A reminder to all families that students will be busy with assessments and end of term testing right up to our final day of term – Friday 31 March. St Andrews is a busy, active and wonderful community. Each time I sit down to write I promise myself I will try to keep my article short but there is simply so much to share. That in itself is a true blessing. Easter Service – Thursday 30 March Parents are warmly invited to join us for the E-12 Easter Service on Thursday 30 March at 8.50am in the MultiPurpose Hall. As a Christian school, it is always special to come together as a whole community at this important time of year to reflect on God’s blessings. Cross Country Carnival – Friday 31 March The Cross Country Carnival is being held on Friday 31 March at Schuster Park. The Years 4-6 events will be held in the morning, to be followed by the Years 7-12 events from 12.15pm. We wish all of our competitors every success as they each strive for personal excellence in this area of their physical development. A detailed note outlining arrangements for the day will be sent home from our Sports Department but students are reminded to bring a water bottle with them, along with a healthy snack, appropriate running shoes, wearing sunscreen and a hat.
Year 12 Visual Arts students worked with artist in residence, Kerry Spence, who assisted them to deeply conceptualise their bodies of work.
Real World Learning Last week, our Choir took part in an amazing performance and musical master class with Aria winning acapella group, The Idea of North. They were joined by students from Trinity, LORDS, Redeemer, Faith (Redlands) and Grace Lutheran Colleges.
Students with a gift and passion for literature attended the Somerset Literature Festival 2017 where they received advice in the fields of creative writing and journalism through the opportunity to converse closely with published authors. The first Growing Good Men project for 2017 also commenced last week. This series of afternoons is an opportunity for a group of young St Andrews men to explore their growth and identity through a creative work project, building on their sense of belonging, growing a sense of leadership and sharing wisdom regarding the journey of being a boy and becoming a man.
After school on Tuesday we hosted a number of Universities who spent the afternoons Showcasing their subject offerings for our Year 12 students. On Wednesday our Year 12s had their first full cohort study session after school. The benefits of these peer learning sessions are immeasurable. I’d like to thank all the teachers for supporting this event in the lead up to exams.
Please practise patience and courtesy, knowing that sometimes young people can be distracted and as drivers of vehicles we must stay alert and aware of our busy surroundings. If you delay your arrival by ten minutes or ask your children to study in the CRC after school they will be supervised and you will have a clear run both into and out of the College grounds. Please contact me should I be able to offer any assistance to you or your child(ren) virginiaw@salc.qld.edu.au Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School
Chaplains Chat “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ College Fete 2017 – Saturday 20 May The St Andrews Fete is a highlight in the College calendar and a day not to be missed. Planning is well underway and all parents are warmly invited to the next Fete Meeting (Junior School Library at 3.30pm on Wednesday 22 March). At the Fete we celebrate together so the day in itself is as much about friend-raising as it is fundraising for P & F funded projects. The P & F are looking for donations and the support of volunteers on the day. Please read through their article towards the end of the bulletin and the flyer attached to find out more. Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility St Andrews is a community that cares and your children’s safety is our top priority. Over the past week, there have been multiple reports of aggressive driving around the College campus. Most concerning is that these reports have come at peak morning drop off and afternoon pick up times. Our children’s safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please observe the road rules. • • • •
On entry please do not cut across the Junior School and Senior School lanes or squeeze in a third lane. Observe the speed limit and be mindful when backing out of spaces. Avoid the distraction of mobile phones. Illegal U-Turns on Tallebudgera Creek Road are also causing undue congestion.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV) Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to see Jesus. At first, I didn’t recognise him, but now, I notice him all the time. He meets me in the supermarket, he speaks to me when I visit friends, he walks with me around the College and he has been making news headlines across the world. It’s been lovely to see Jesus in so many places! Would it surprise you if I said that you have almost certainly seen Jesus as well? Perhaps you didn’t recognise him? I didn’t at first. That’s because Jesus does not appear as himself, Jesus appears in the face of other people. He is found in every lost and lonely person, every broken heart and amongst those who are “doing it tough.” At least, this is what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 25. Jesus said that every time his disciples cared for the lost, the lonely, the disadvantaged, the poor, the imprisoned and the sick – they would be serving not only the person before them but Jesus himself. In other words, the best way to serve Jesus and, in fact, to see Jesus is to care for the needs of others, especially those in the poorest or worst position. Throughout the centuries, Christians have been doing just that, which is why today Christian organisations are at the forefront of work with the homeless, the sick and the elderly to name just a few. For Christians, serving those who need it most is a natural response to the Gospel, the good news about Jesus.
I mention all this because while it is easy for us to be consumed by the pace of the school year or the rapidly approaching Easter holidays, there are currently millions of people (including children) who are on the brink of starvation in Africa. If you have been following the news you would know that South Sudan has declared a state of famine. Yemen, Somalia and Nigera are on the brink of famine as well. This last week the UN Security Council were told that the world is facing the largest humanitarian crisis since 1945 (as long as the UN has been in existence). As a College, we are coordinating a response to this great need in human history. I have been gathering ideas from students this week as to what we can do to help and we hope to put some of these ideas into action in the weeks and months ahead. As you are able, please support our students as they support and care for the needs of others in our global community. We are getting involved in this cause because it is the right thing to do. We are also getting involved because Jesus is found in the face of the hungry. Nathan Glover Pastor
Middle School News Partnerships for Learning Throughout the course of the year we will hold a series of evenings around topics relevant to parents of adolescent children. These are very informal in nature and held in the Cecile Ryan Centre on a Wednesday evening from 7pm until (usually) just after 8pm. The evenings generally involve a talk either by myself or another staff member for about thirty minutes and then an open discussion around the topic for the remainder of the time. Two packets of TimTams are provided. The first of these ‘Partnerships for Learning’ evenings will be held on Wednesday 29 March and our topic for the evening will be the overarching ‘Adolescence’. No RSVP is necessary. While the evenings are for parents should it be necessary to bring your child along then they are welcome to complete private study in the general library area for the duration of the discussion. Habits of Mind For the past three years the College has been incorporating the Dimensions of Learning framework within the Secondary School. Each classroom has on display the various Habits of Mind which form Dimension 5 in the framework. It would be worth discussing with your son or daughter how they can display their growth in one of these habits throughout the first term thus far. Becoming an active learner is more than just showing up each day and completing what is expected – there must be an intent to develop habits which will drive us forward toward lofty goals. As always please contact me should you wish to discuss anything further tomc@salc.qld.edu.au Tom Casey Head of Middle School
Flourishing in the Senior School Positive Education As we quickly head towards the business end of the term, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our staff and students. The Senior School is a hub of activity from 7am onwards and it is heartening to see so many students and staff working together, whether it be Kokoda training, Chemistry and Maths tutorials, Futsal practice, Netball and strength training or Student Representative Council and Leos meetings. Weeks 8 and 9 will see the first of our whole cohort study sessions where our Year 12’s and 11’s stay behind on Wednesday afternoon to do some extra study with their teachers. Thanks to the dedication of our staff, these are very well attended and are very useful. During this time, we will talk with our Year 11’s to prepare them for the first exam block in Week 9. This is where lessons shutdown and the students only come in for exams. If students cannot get home they go to the CRC to do supervised study. Once students leave the College they should go home to continue their study. They must sign out before they leave the College. Over the next few weeks our students will need to tap into their Character Strengths because using these will help them traverse the business end of the term and the intensity that is always present during this time. When our students can use their strengths, which are their natural resources it results in higher performance, more fulfilment and students achieving their potential. This might mean that: • Our creatives develop study notes with lots of colour and diagrams, • The teamwork individuals organise a study group, • Those strong in perspective will realise that the intensity will only last a few weeks and then there is a holiday around the corner to rest and recover, or • Our curious types might dig a bit deeper into their learning to gain a better understanding. Whichever the strategy, the important point is that we need to work to our strengths and the first part of that is knowing what our strengths are. Refer to pages 21 and 22 of the Student Diary for the Character Strengths and what the survey they undertook revealed about your child.
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Liliana Mikami and Rory McLynskey, our Community Service Captains and their band of merry helpers for organising pancakes for the Middle and Senior School to observe Shrove Tuesday.
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To Indigo Spinks who signed up to The World’s Greatest Shave. He has already surpassed his goal of raising $120 but I hope that our community might be able to support him and increase that tally even more. You can click the link to contribute: https://secure.leukaemiafoundation. org.au/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?Referrer=%26R eferrer%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fworldsgreatestsh ave.com%252f&RegistrationID=671472
Congratulations to: • The Leos for getting involved in Clean-Up Australia Day. The community-minded individuals pictured gave up several hours to do their bit for the environment.
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To the Student Representative Council Executive, Keely McVay, Patrick Silveira and Milli Nyssen and Student Representatives for the organisation of the Middle and Senior School Disco. It was a resounding success. There would have been many sore legs the next day as the dance floor was full all night. Our Year 12’s certainly had a lot of fun and owned the dance floor in their Hawaiian outfits.
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
Student Development Managing Stress Students and staff both show increased signs of stress at the moment, that is, the final weeks of term. In many cases the pastoral care of our teachers offers adolescents the strategies they need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, make healthy choices regarding time spent on tasks, efficient study skills, good diet, sleep and exercise. Some students bring well practiced strategies to school with them and are able to exemplify these to their peers which helps build a culture of learning and wellbeing. In some cases adolescent students may not be able to hear the positive messages, or implement them well and we need to tune in better to individual needs; as teachers and as parents. It’s a time to consider how we employ strengths of compassion and perspective as we nurture students through stressful times and remind them that they are very capable of working through challenges with support. At these times of the term, parents can role model and assist teenagers in how to manage stress and remain productive. Dinner conversations might include strategies that work for you and strategies that don’t, offering the opportunity for our children to enunciate strategies that they are employing to manage their work load, remaining focused, pragmatic and principled in their learning. It’s a time when we as parents may need to help our busy children break down bigger tasks into small achievable goals; help them refer back to the criteria sheet and task requirements to ensure they’ve addressed the task specifically; help teens work in a tidy and organised work place; ensure diet, hydration and exercise are all still prioritised to provide balance. The Student Diary offers activities and a language of wellbeing to help all of us to become more literate and to take action in even the busiest of times. Hopefully this also is a resource for parents to make use as we all work together, building the wellbeing and function of St Andrews students who will become adults that manage stress well and support the wellbeing of others in community. James Nelson Director of Student Development
1 x 12 Girls 1 x 13 Girls (Red Team) 1 x 14 Girls 1 x 19 Girls 2 x 12 Boys Teams (Green and Blue Teams) 2 x 13 Boys Teams (Blue and White Teams) 1 x 14 Boys 1 x 15 Boys 1 x 16 Boys (Blue Team) 1 x 19 Boys (Red Team) All teams who make it through to the quarter finals on Friday will qualify for the Champion of Champions Titles held later in the year.
Cross Country Just a reminder that the Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 31 March, which is the last day of school. At this stage Binging is just ahead in the House Shield competition but things can change after Cross Country. Students will walk down to the course which is held at Schuster Park. All students are expected to participate to the best of their ability in this activity, contributing to House Spirit and challenging themselves to strive to reach their potential. Kokoda It has been pleasing to see the outstanding commitment that the bulk of students have displayed towards Kokoda preparation. Thursday afternoons during sports time Ms West and other staff have led a varied and productive fitness program laying a good foundation for the training to come. Last Sunday most of the teams met out at Springfield to tackle the Polly’s trail. From all reports their effort and physical determination was matched by the team spirit and the support they showed one another. St Andrews has a proud history in this event and with 15 teams in 2017 it makes us one of the largest participating schools. What wonderful opportunities our Senior School students have!
Sport News Futsal Last week 19 Middle and Senior School teams represented St Andrews at the SE Qld Futsal Titles over 3 days. St Andrews is by far the largest participating school in this competition and one of the most successful. Congratulations to all the players for their commitment and efforts on each day. Due to the players and coaches hard work 12 teams qualified for the Finals this coming Friday:
Libby Wood Secondary School Sports Coordinator
Performing Arts News Idea of North Last Wednesday our Senior Choir, along with four other Lutheran Schools came together at Redeemer Lutheran College to participate in a workshop and concert with The Idea of North. This international, ARIA award winning acapella group spent time with each choir, providing invaluable advice and instruction, then taught the combined choir of 300 students two of their songs. The concert that evening involved each choir performing. The Idea of North performing a set followed by a combined finale of Sting’s “Fragile” and a Michael Jackson Medley. This experience was absolutely invaluable and one that the students will always remember. We thank our Lutheran friends for sharing in this experience and the students for their positive behaviour and outstanding performance.
Drama Festivals In the past few weeks two of our Drama Festival Casts were finalised and we have begun rehearsals. The Junior Entry this year is a play called “The Audition”, which follows a group of students who are auditioning for a High School production of A Chorus Line – the play models the famous musical and we get insight into each character’s journey to the stage. I have been so impressed with the standard of this cast already and cannot wait to share this creative journey with these talented young actors.
Our Senior boys have taken the challenge of Matthew Ryan’s “Kelly” – a drama set the night before Ned Kelly was executed and his brother Dan comes to see him disguised as a priest to seek forgiveness from his brother. This intense dramatic piece is a challenge that our Senior actors are already rising to and I look forward to sharing what promises to be an extraordinary performance later in the year.
Thank you Costume Glitz! We are incredibly fortunate and blessed to have had hundreds of dance costumes donated to the Performing Arts department by College parent, Alison Cosgriff (owner of Costume Glitz). These brand new solo, duo, trio and group costumes have become an invaluable asset to our Dance program providing students with more enriching learning and performance experiences. The students in private dance tuition, Dance electives and Senior Dance subjects have been using these costumes in their performance and choreography assessments. From all of the Performing Arts Staff and College dance students, we would like to thank Costume Glitz for providing us with these amazing costumes!
Dance Troupes We were incredibly overwhelmed with the amount of students who auditioned for the College Dance Troupes this year. We currently have over 120 students from Years 4 to 12 who are dancing in the College troupes. With Eisteddfod season fast approaching, all 6 College dance troupes have begun learning their routines which they will compete with at various eisteddfods throughout the year. The JS Jazzettes are currently boogying away in their ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ routine while the JS Razzmatazz are boot scootin’ in their cowboy ‘Footloose’ routine. This year our additional JS Express Troupe are currently learning a moving lyrical piece about coming home from war. Over in the Middle School our Dansation Troupe are dazzling in their ‘One Night Only’ Jazz routine and the Locomotion Troupe are shimmying away in their ‘Swing Swing Swing’ routine. Our Combined Intensity Dance Troupe are working on a contemporary piece called ‘To This Day’. This spoken piece explores the issue of bullying and its negative affects on individuals and society. While the Troupes are focusing on preparing for the Eisteddfod season, the Years 7-12 Dance Curriculum subjects are preparing their performance and choreography assessment tasks for the College Fete. The Year 4 students are also participating in dance workshops through the Junior School Arts Rotation where they are learning different cultural dance styles including Bollywood, Russian and African dance. Cilla Scott Head of Arts
LOTE News Early January, Year 11 students Joanna Loudon and Lyle Duncan completed a one week High School German Enrichment Course at the University of Queensland with other students from across the South East. Well done to these highly motivated and dedicated language students! Ausgezeichnet!
Science News We have selected two Year 11 SALC Science Ambassadors, Holly Burnett and Isabella Austin, to help promote science in our community. Amongst other things, these ambassadors help deliver science enrichment to our Year 6 Science Extension students every two weeks. Our first lesson was on static electricity. Here students experimented with the Van de Graaff generator and were shocked to find out what static and current electricity could do. David Wyatt Science Teacher
On Saturday 1 April, ‘Japan and Friends Day’ will be held at Albert Waterways in Broadbeach, just opposite Pacific Fair. It is a wonderful day, showcasing many Japanese customs, dance and musical items, as well as some fabulous food. Entry is free. Come along for a fun-filled afternoon and evening!
P & F News Mother’s Day gifts have been purchased as well and the Stall will be open on the week before Mother’s Day, Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April in the mornings from 7.30am to 9.30am. All the Mothers have been spoilt this year with great gifts available that are practical all will be a nice gift for Mothers. Next P & F General Meeting is Wednesday 14 June at 7.00pm in the J Block Upper West. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.
St Andrews Fete 2017 College Fete - 20 May 2017 SATURDAY 20 MAY 2017 Upcoming Fete is calling volunteers needed to coordinate COLLEGE some ofST theANDREWS organisation.LUTHERAN The next meeting is Wednesday 19 April in the Junior10AM School Library. to 4PM Donations of Chocolate and Bottles of wine and second hand *books are* required the College fete. We are RIDES RAFFLEfor PRIZES * SHOWBAGS * running*the Chocolate Bed and Wine Bottle LuckyMUSIC Dip. * COFFEE * CENT AUCTION * LIVE
* FOOD MARKETS * CRAZY HAIR * ART *
Wine *must be delivered by*parents and taken to Junior, TALENT SHOW HOUSE OF HORROR * Middle, Senior Administration or Main Reception.
* CHOCOLATE BED * TATTOOS * & MORE! *
All Chocolate and Second Hand Books can be delivered to the Bus Shelter every Friday with Fete members there to take DONATIONS your donations. Alternatively, they can be delivered to any of VOLUNTEERS STALL HOLDERS REQUIRED the Administration Offices and Main Reception. NEEDED
* BOTTLES OF WINE
WANTED
* CHOCOLATE Please contact: Please contact: SECOND HAND BOOKS, Thefete@salc.qld.edu.au class that donates *the most chocolate fete@salc.qld.edu.au will win a class ice DVD’S, VIDEO GAMES,
cream party so all students MAGAZINES get involved!
For more Information please contact fete@salc.qld.edu.au
The Fete Needs You: We are looking for St Andrews families or businesses to sponsor the following activities for our Fete * Wildlife encounters which will have a variety of our creatures such as crocodile and lizards for everyone to hold approximately $600 * Aerial angels which will provide workshops showing children how to perform circus acts approximately $600 * Magic show and balloon animal making approximately $1000 Please let Nicole 0410649820 or Julieanne 0421795411 know if you are interested.
Dates to Remember MARCH Wednesday 22 P & F Fete Meeting, Junior School Library – 3.30pm Year 11 After School Study Session Thursday 23 Years 11 & 12 Exams, 23-29 March Growing Good Men – 3.15pm Friday 24 Lending a Helping Hand at ROSIES Tuesday 28 Year 10 Surf Museum Excursion Thursday 30 Growing Good Men – 3.15pm Friday 31 Years 7-12 SALC Cross Country, Schuster Park – 12.15pm Starbound Dance Eisteddfod - Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre – 2.00pm for selected students in Years 5-12 Term 1 Ends APRIL Monday 17 Easter Monday Public Holiday Tuesday 18 Term 2 Commences MS/SS Getting in the Zone Wednesday 19 Years 10 to 12 Grin and Tonic Theatre P & F Fete Meeting, Junior School Library – 3.30pm Friday 21 QCS Workshop Leo Induction and Installation Lending a Helping Hand at ROSIES Saturday 22 Olympic Weightlifting Competition Monday 24 MS/SS ANZAC Day Service – 8.30am Tuesday 25 ANZAC Day Public Holiday Wednesday 26 MS/SS Parent Teacher Interviews
St Andrews Fete 2017 SATURDAY 20 MAY 2017
ST ANDREWS LUTHERAN COLLEGE
10AM to 4PM
* RIDES * RAFFLE PRIZES * SHOWBAGS * * COFFEE * CENT AUCTION * LIVE MUSIC * * FOOD MARKETS * CRAZY HAIR * ART * * TALENT SHOW * HOUSE OF HORROR * * CHOCOLATE BED * TATTOOS * & MORE! *
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au
DONATIONS REQUIRED
* BOTTLES OF WINE * CHOCOLATE * SECOND HAND BOOKS, DVD’S, VIDEO GAMES, MAGAZINES
STALL HOLDERS WANTED Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au
For more Information please contact fete@salc.qld.edu.au
St Andrews Fete 2017 St Andrews Fete - Saturday 20 May 2017 - 10am-4pm It is time for all students and families to get excited and enthusiastic for this years College Fete!! They only come around every two years and this will prove to be the best one yet! The Fete Committee are requiring a lot of community support to make this a success ranging from donations to volunteers. Fete Meeting The next Fete meeting is Wednesday 19 April 3.30pm in the Junior School Library. We will keep you updated via this article on when the next meeting is. DONATIONS REQUIRED: » Bottles of Wine (delivered in a wine bag if possible, by adults only please) » Blocks of Chocolate (The class that donates the most wins an ice cream party!) » Prizes for the Cent Auction » Books, DVDs, Video Games & Magazines (not weekly magazines) » Second Hand Toys Every Friday morning at drop off time at the Bus Shelter there will be Fete volunteers ready to collect all goods. Donations can also be taken to the Junior, Middle and Senior School Administration Offices or Main Reception.
WANTED: * VOLUNTEERS * STALL HOLDERS * DONATIONS * SPONSORS
Guinness World Record Attempt The capes have been ordered for our Guinness World Record attempt! We need 500 people wearing capes in one area on the Village Green during the College Fete. This will be an official Guinness World Record which we will be aiming for! Cake Stall Closer to the Fete, we will be asking all you bakers out there to donate cakes or biscuits and slices for the Cake Stall. Boxes will be sent home with your students the week before the Fete with delivery instructions for you to return the baked goods. Volunteers: will be needed to help man stalls as well as assist in coordinating the parking. All volunteers can send through their details to: fete@salc.qld.edu.au It is the College community help which makes this day exciting for all students and our local community. To get in touch and be a part of this great day please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au Stall Holders We are looking for stall holders to join us at the Fete. All parents or families are invited to have a stall, there is a small charge for hire of the site, anyone who would like information please enquire at: fete@salc.qld.edu.au The Fete Needs You! We are looking for St Andrews families or businesses to sponsor the following activities for our Fete: •
Wildlife encounters which will have a variety of our creatures such as crocodile and lizards for everyone to hold approximately $600
•
Aerial angels which will provide workshops showing children how to perform circus acts approximately $600
•
Magic show and balloon animal making approximately $1000
Please let Nicole 0410649820 or Julieanne 0421795411 know if you are interested.
For more information please contact fete@salc.qld.edu.au
St Andrews Fete Sponsors 2017 Sponsorship of Prizes for Cent Auction Once again we will be holding a Cent Auction at this year’s Fete. Its success is dependent on community support and your generous prize donations. So if you have a business or know anyone who would like to donate an item that can be used as a prize we would be very grateful. Please contact Jessica Russell on 0408 125 310 or russell.lj@ bigpond.com Those businesses that donate prizes will be recognised with their business’s details displayed on Fete day and in a list of prize donors in the College Bulletins and Newsletters in the lead up and immediately after the Fete. A big thank you to the following businesses for their generous donations to the Cent Auction! Bunnings, Burleigh Burleigh Brewing Company Currumbin RSL Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Doughnut Time Draculas Dreamworld Epic Skate, Tweed Heads Furniture N More, Burleigh Grill’d, Robina JFK Woodfire Kitchen & Bar Kaiser Craft, Robina Kidz n Play, Robina McDonalds Mudgeeraba Cutting & Colour Shoppe Norwex - Consultant Shavaun Brazel Pancakes on the Rocks PHJ Services Plantation House Cafe Rocks Resort, Currumbin Spot on Lawn & Garden Maintenance Super Cheap Auto, Burleigh & Robina Club Talle The Arts Centre Gold Coast Tupperware - Consultant Nurit Dimanstein Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts Vapiano, Surfers Paradise Witches Falls Winery, Mt Tamborine Xtend Barre, Burleigh
AMF Bowling, Robina Beacon Lighting, Burleigh Billabong Camping Plus, Burleigh Ilona’s Beautyworks Hair Dressing, Bonogin JAX Tyres, Burleigh Marlee Watch Co Marriott Resort Surfers Paradise Miami Marketta Palm Meadows Golf Club Putt Putt Mermaid Beach Ready Steady Go Kids Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast BCF, Burleigh Coplick’s Tallebudgera Golf Course Cruiseabout QSuperCentre, Mermaid Dominos Pizza, Robina Inflatable World, Burleigh Madison Jane Boutique Mr Toys Toyworld, Burleigh Piece Style & Design Pilates & Co Style by Amy Rose The Ironing Shoppe
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au
STALL HOLDERS WANTED Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au
POSITIVE PARENTING
How to grow kids into leaders By Michael Grose Here are seven ways you can foster rather than inhibit your child’s or young person’s leadership potential. Recently I bumped into Stephen, a friend’s son in the local supermarket. “G’day Steve*. I hear you’re School Captain this year.” Seventeen-year-old Stephen shuffled a little and looked down at his feet before he said, “Yeah, I got the job.” His voice was low as if he didn’t want the news to get out. I continued, “Congratulations. You should be pleased with yourself. That’s quite an honour.” Finally, a smile spread across his face as he said, “Yeah thanks for that. I’m stoked actually.” Stephen’s reticence to accept praise I think was due partly to his modest personality and partly to the fact that he is not a classical school leader type. Academically he holds his own but he’s not an outstanding student. He’s not sporty, musical and he doesn’t excel in the performing arts or other fields. But he has leadership potential written all over him. He’s a wonderful young man with solid values. He’s very likeable, very caring and could be described as a ‘doer’. He gets stuff done. He’s also raised by parents who have inadvertently nurtured his leadership
parentingideas.com.au
potential by not molly-coddling him or over-managing him. Neither have they over-inflated his ego telling him how wonderful he is, even when his behaviour or efforts fall short of an acceptable level. If you believe as I do, that leaders are made, not born then the way we raise our kids has a massive impact on their leadership potential.
Here are seven ways you can foster rather than inhibit your child’s or young person’s leadership potential: 1. Allow children and young people to experience risk Currently our community is risk adverse when it comes to our kids. It’s a parent’s job to protect our children and young people but that doesn’t mean we completely insulate them from risk-taking behaviour. One European study found that if children don’t play outside and have never experienced skinned knees and other small hurts, they frequently develop phobias as adults. Just as young children need to learn to fail a few times to learn it’s normal, teenagers need to experience some friendship break-ups along the way to appreciate the maturity that real relationships require. When we remove risk we increase children’s dependence on others, which is the antithesis of strong leadership.
2. Give kids a chance to solve their own problems If your child left his lunch at home would you take it to him or her? If your teenager forgot a sports uniform would you take it to school if you were able? If so, you’d be inhibiting their resourcefulness by solving their problems or, alternatively, not allowing them to cope with inconvenience. Flexibility, coping skills and resourcefulness are trademarks of good leadership in both adults and young people.
3. Be realistic with praise Stephen felt uncomfortable receiving my praise because it hadn’t been overly lavished on him as a child or young man. He had to earn his parents’ praise so he hasn’t been conditioned to expect it as a right. Praise and feedback should be realistic and given sensitively rather than handed out like a nervous tic whenever children or young people do something well. Young people generally learn at some stage that their parents are the only people who think they’re awesome, which can come as a rude shock when they hit the real world of the workforce.
now we know.
POSITIVE PARENTING
How to grow kids into leaders 4. Expect them to earn the rights A common trait among many children and young people is their strong and increasingly, false sense of entitlement. That is, many kids expect they have a right to (pick any of the following and feel free to add to the list): go where they want; use their mobile phone whenever they want; play in the living room without cleaning up. Alternatively, we can insist that children and young people earn their rights through hard work, responsible behaviour and being cooperative. Learning that a right needs to be earned, rather than something that’s simply handed out to you, is a valuable lesson for an aspiring leader in any field of endeavour.
5. Focus on character Currently as a community we neglect character at the expense of personality. In this current era of reality TV and social media it’s not hard to get fifteen minutes of fame whereas in the past your spot in the limelight needed to be earned usually be applying yourself to a sporting, artistic or other endeavour. It’s quite a turnaround. However, character strengths such as grit, conscientiousness and reliability rather than personality traits consistently appear in discussions about leadership. Parents can actively promote their character strengths of children and young people in many ways - including focusing on character
in conversations; sharing stories where character paid off for them in their lives; and using every day examples of how character leads to success.
6. Develop accountability Leadership is always partnered with accountability. When kids don’t hold themselves accountable they are reliant on others to excuse them or rescue them. Allowing children and young people to experience the consequences of their actions may make us feel bad as parents in the short term, however, in the long term it increases leadership capacities of young people immeasurably.
7. Share your struggles As children and young people spread their wings and expand their boundaries they will invariably face new situations and challenges. We may not always be there for them but we can share our stories including our struggles that we experienced at the same age in a way that will help them make good choices. (NOTE to Parents of teenagers: Steer clear of lectures about alcohol, smoking and drugs. These are topics for another time.) Sharing your mistakes, your learnings and your decision-making processes can act as a type of GPS as kids navigate new territory away from you. It’s the stories they hear from adults whom they admire that will give them a roadmap for authentic leadership that is tolerant, humble and brave.
Focusing on the above strategies won’t necessarily mean that your child will hold a leadership position in primary or secondary school. There are many factors involved in holding a school leadership position and being made of the right stuff is just one of them. But the qualities and traits we nurture in children and young people today will manifest in our future community, sporting and business leaders. That’s why great parenting matters. *Stephen is not the real name.
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Special note: I’m thrilled to announce that my latest book Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children is out. It’s available at parentingideas.com.au © Parenting Ideas 2017
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now we know.