Principal's Update

"The whole teen comes to school"

This term as part of the professional learning day, staff explored themes around teenage development and the opportunities and challenges of educating teens. This focus was part of our commitment to strengthening school belonging and creating a positive climate for learning. 

There is a lot going on for our young people today, and developing a deeper understanding of who they are is important if we want to create a school where they can flourish.

High school students are going through significant stages of brain and social-emotional development and when they are in school and in class with us, there is a lot more going on than just learning content. 

Some of the key milestones of teenagers include:

• Synaptic pruning of neural pathways (“use it or lose it”) and myelination make their brains more efficient.
• Greater emotional turbulence - they feel the highs and the lows more intensely.
• Increased risk-taking and seeking sensations (parts of the brain that support impulse control, thinking about consequences and problem solving are still developing into the mid-20s).
• Identity formation - teenagers are seeking information from others about who they are, what others think of them, and what are their individual strengths.

What matters for teens:

During the session, we deeply considered how as educators we have the privilege of playing such a key role in the development of teens into adults, and how some of the following actions can make such a positive difference:

• Getting to know the students as individuals and prioritizing a sense of belonging and inclusion.

• Providing regular positive feedback and encouragement. Promoting a growth mindset.

• Displaying unconditional positive regard - ensuring students know they are valued, and that even if they make mistakes, this is all part of learning.

• Providing many opportunities for trying new activities to help them find their strengths through a broad curriculum and many extra-curricular activities.

• Being positive role-models, demonstrating optimism and promoting hope.

• Explicitly teaching positive coping skills and self-regulation.

   

We also analysed some of the gender differences in the Attitudes to School Survey data including the lower levels of learner confidence in our girls compared to the boys across most year levels (despite their achievement levels being the same). This gender difference is reflected across schools as well. 

Classroom strategies to improve learner confidence were also developed in teacher teams, including collaborative learning activities, checks for understanding of all students, and questioning techniques.

We know that healthy development of teenagers relies on a strong partnership between school and home. Even though the impact of friendships and peers is significant during this time, teenagers need adults to be calm, interested in them and show them what a good adult looks like.

Term 3 wrap-up

It has been a busy term for students and staff – there has not been a week go by without an event or student program!

Over the last four weeks, we have celebrated Science Week, Book Week, Harmony Week, House Week and R U OK? Day. 

Other events that you can read more about in this newsletter include hosting (and winning) the National Jigsaw Competition, the enormously popular Write a Book in a Day events, our BHHS Talent Show, District Aths, German Immersion Camp, Parent AI Forum, Spring Music Concert and the Momentum Program volunteering day.

And finally…

I want to really push students to take some time over the holidays to do some reading – find a novel to get into over the school break. Go to your local library or bookshop and aim to complete one book over the holidays! 

Also, wishing all our Year 12 students all the best with their preparation for the final exams. Establishing a regular study routine each day over the next month is absolutely necessary to optimize your results, and study groups can be really beneficial. 

The school is investing time and resources in revision lectures and practice exams over the two weeks of school holidays to help our Year 12 students prepare well.