The Hamilton and Alexandra College Newsletter

Middle Years 

Building Confidence

It is important that we find the things students are good at and foster those interests. The best part of my day is talking to teenagers, and I try and find out what’s working well in their lives. I am optimistic by nature and can find the good in most situations. Optimism recognizes what has been achieved more than what is lacking. It looks at the glass as half-full rather than half-empty.  Confidence tends to oscillate during Middle Years, this is natural. As students learn more about themselves their confidence develops.  

 

Optimists believe they can change for the better, have hope for the future, do better at school, are more productive, believe they can control the direction of their life and are healthier. Jack said to me this week, that Positive Education “is about looking on the bright side”, and this sums up optimism. Jack is cultivating an optimistic and positive mindset.

 

Here are some tips;

Self-esteem is an important part of confidence: Having good self-esteem means accepting and feeling positive about yourself. Confidence is not just feeling good but also knowing you’re good at something. 

Helpful ways of thinking:

  • believing that if you try, you can succeed.
  • finding positive ways to cope with failure that encourage having another go.
  • enjoying learning for its own sake by competing with your own performance – not with others.
  • making sure that goals are achievable by breaking down large tasks or responsibilities into small steps.
  • knowing you can ask for help if you need it.

Confidence involves dealing well with disappointment - Everyone fails to achieve their goals sometimes, and this isn’t a bad thing. We can build a teenager’s ability to deal with challenges when we respond sympathetically and with encouragement, help students focus on what they can change to make things better and challenge “I can’t” thinking by saying “I can’t yet”.

This links to the Four C’s

  1. CONTROL – YOUR SELF-ESTEEM AND EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT - You believe you shape what happens to you and you can manage your emotions when doing it.
  2. COMMITMENT – YOUR RELIABILITY AND FOCUS Describes to what extent you will “make promises” in the form of goals, targets and priorities and whether you will keep those promises.
  3. CHALLENGE – YOUR DRIVE AND PERSONAL GROWTH Describes to what extent you see challenges, change, adversity and variety as opportunities or as threats.
  4. CONFIDENCE – YOUR “SELF-BELIEF” Describes the extent to which you believe you have the ability to successfully complete tasks and situations and influence others when needed.

These core components are vital to developing healthy and balanced young adults. Each element is necessary for growth and success. I encourage all Middle Years students to have a go, and back yourself.

 

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years