Program Coordinator - Student Services
Brad Woodruff
Understanding our children
It seems that we are continually being bombarded with the latest advice on how to raise teenagers. New books are being released and research findings published. Often recommendations appear in my inbox, on social media feeds, and are discussed with College staff over lunch. Periodically, I hope to share some resources to help us support the social and emotional well-being of the teenagers in our lives.
Here are few that I've come across recently.
L Platers: Supporting your teen daughter on the road to adulthood. - Madonna King.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self? Madonna King's new book results from 12 months of research and listening to a thousand 16, 17 and 18-year-old women to understand them and understand how to support them on the road to adulthood.
The book covers social media issues, anxiety, consent, gender identity, the impact of COVID-19, confidence and life balance.
ABC Iview - Catalyst - The Mindfulness Experiment.
Year 10 students at the College, during Health lessons at the beginning of the year, learnt about mindfulness as part of a unit of work covering resilience and change. This documentary tracks 15 Australians who participate in a scientific experiment - to see if practising mindfulness can help treat conditions like chronic pain, anxiety and stress. Watch the program here
Sexual Education – Year 10 Health
Recently in a Year 10 Health lesson, as part of an activity that examined sexuality timelines, students were asked to predict the average age of earliest exposure to online pornography - the answer - 11 years of age!!!
In this article, Professor Alan McKee, one of Australia's leading academic experts on the study of pornography and sexual development, says that “you don't want pornography to be your only sexual education … it would be like trying to teach a kid to drive by sitting them down in front of The Fast and the Furious." The Year 10 Health unit - Love, Sex and Relationships, addresses the harmful influence pornography has on young people.
Coming up in the Student Services area
- We will be reviewing the College's pastoral care program and seeking input from everyone. We want your thoughts on several key issues, including - What skills and knowledge do our students need to become "good people?" How can we better meet the social and emotional needs of our students? What is your experience with pastoral care programs? What has worked for your child? What hasn't worked?
Expect an online survey in your inbox sometime in Term 3.
- If you would like to have a quick chat about your child, I will be at the Residential Office at the end of term when you pick up your child for the holidays. Otherwise, just call the front office to make a time for an appointment. A telephone call or email (bradley.woodruff@education.wa.edu.au) may suit you better.