Year 12 Pastoral Guardian

Stay Connected

It is important to remain connected with your daughter in her final year of school.   We know that having this sense of connectedness is one of the greatest protective factors for adolescents.  Feeling valued, listened to, and safe means that they are more likely to come to you for help with problems than engage in risky or harmful behaviour.  Research has shown that, when parents are involved in their children’s learning, children experience greater self-esteem, improved academic achievement, and stronger future relationships.  So what does this involvement look like for you?  How can you remain connected to your daughter and the college community in her final year?

To stay connected remember to:

1. Access IGLOO - check continuous feedback, student timetable, quick links to portals, and sometimes even special notices.
2. Encourage active listening as a way of responding which encourages the other person to continue the conversation while making sure you understand their message.   Also make sure you take the time to validate their thoughts and feelings (without dismissing them), and ask them how the problem can be solved - rather than you providing the solution.
3. Support your daughter and encourage discussion on her learning.  Ask her to show you her assessment calendar, then chat about assignments and exams and, most importantly, check on her stress and anxiety levels.
4.  Encourage her to make an appointment with her Pastoral Guardian – Mrs Bridget Piper, or her Teaching and Learning Guardian – Mrs Anita Goldie.
5. Seek guidance and support from the College Counsellors who are experienced psychologists.
6. Support the College by ensuring students are at school and not going on holidays during the school year.
7. Create a supportive environment for education at home – an environment that values education.
8. Look after yourself - as parents, it’s also important that you look after yourselves during this year.  It’s very easy to let your own anxiety spiral out of control and then impact not only your children but your own health.   You can’t do it for them!  Let them take responsibility for their own study, and don’t see it as a reflection of your parenting if, for whatever reason, they can’t buckle down – they may just have to be among those late starters.  Monitor your own self-talk, avoid buying into those destructive OP myths, and take time for yourself – whether that be exercise, reading, listening to music, gardening, etc.  “Think of yourself as a bank account – you can’t keep giving out if you don’t put in regular deposits.”
9. Encourage healthy eating, exercise, and sleep habits.  (Download free mindfulness apps )

While stakes are high and the pressure cooker environment can affect your child’s performance, stress them out, and leave her wishing she could find a hole to crawl into, remember to stay connected with her and the College to give her the best opportunity so she can successfully leap into her future!

Bridget Piper