Year 8 Pastoral Guardian

On a recent Assembly, the theme Find Your Brave was launched, urging all students to ponder possibilities and to then take the necessary steps so that such possibilities can be realised.  For this to occur, choices must be made: the choice to persist, persevere, to be courageous - in spite of the inner voice or others’ doubts - and to be true to oneself. 

The journey to achieving possibilities will not be direct, nor will it be smooth sailing.  This is where the role of parents, family members, and school come in, to be the support crew, the sounding board, and the mentor, and to celebrate every brave step taken. 

 This week, I have asked four students to share their insights into how their parents help them to be brave.  It is indeed wonderful to see students recognising the small and large things parents do to support bravery and, ultimately, achievement.

Being brave, a statement we have been hearing since we could talk.  It carries more than just a meaning; it carries pride and confidence and the feeling of freedom to have and do things you believe is right for you.  For a long time, I struggled with this.  The thought of speaking up for myself and saying what I thought was important was something I thought I would never be able to do.  This was until my parents told me that it was okay to have my own voice and let my own opinions be heard.  Even if I thought it wasn’t going to work out in the end, all that mattered was if it was important to me.  My parents give me the strength and the wisdom to be able to share my ideas and opinions without feeling scared about the ‘what ifs’, which allows me to embrace every challenge that comes my way with an open mind and heart. 

Macey Scherer

Ever since I was born and growing up, my parents have helped me to find my brave, to be who I am, and to follow what is important for me.  They have helped me to make sense of my identity and create a picture of who I am socially, spiritually, and emotionally. Through their teaching and support, they have taught me to follow what is important, and that we are all entitled to our own opinions - as well as being respectful of others, to not put limits on what we can achieve now and into the future and to always tell the truth. Every single day my parents tell my two sisters and me that we are all unique and that we have our own special talents; this makes us who we are and that we can be ourselves without fear of judgment.  Coming from a background where all my family members play sports, they always remind me that, ‘It doesn’t matter if you win or lose it is how you play the game’.  To me this means that you aren’t always going to be successful but your attitude and how you participate and treat others is the more important lesson.  These are just some of ways my parents have helped me to find my brave. 

Georgia Blake

How many times have you heard recently, “We are living in unprecedented times”? Does this question reference us, as we pass through adolescence, or is it referencing the current COVID-19 health crisis of our global community?  This question could reference both circumstances, for both circumstances are unique to us, and both call for us to be brave.  When faced with uncertainty, it is possible to feel fear or nervous of what lies ahead or unclear what the present and future looks like.  Parents can help us find our brave during the times of uncertainty by giving us a safe environment to express our concerns, to be there to listen to us – even when we don’t have the right words – and they can help us to investigate the facts to allay our concerns.  It is important to ask questions, explore your emotions, and talk to parents about anything you are concerned about.  By doing this it will help us to find our brave and to face our fears with greater confidence and to thrive in spite of the uncertainty. 

Kirstyn Mills

Sometimes being brave is not all about doing something exceedingly courageous like having a fist fight with a lion.  Everyone has fears, whether they’re big or small, like speaking in front of the class or asking for help.  My parents taught me that being brave is to fight through my fears, no matter how small or big they are.  I have never really enjoyed public speaking and when my parents encouraged me to attend the public speaking workshop - yes, against my will - I actually ended up enjoying it!  They also remind me every day that it’s okay to make mistakes and you should always give something a go because, if you don’t try, you’re always going to be fearful of new things.  

Ella Chun

If you would like more tips on teaching children to be brave, you may find this article to be particularly interesting and useful.

Conversation Starters

• In what areas of your life would you like to be braver?
• What would this look like, sound like, and feel like for you?
• What are your fears surrounding your plans for being brave?
• What is the worst thing that can happen on your journey in being brave?
• How can I help you to be brave?

Jeni Barlow