From the Principal

Many of you may be familiar with the classic ‘Marshmallow test’ from Stanford University. If not, there are some wonderful re-creations online, including this one. The test is meant to look at how well a young child is able to delay gratification. They are given one marshmallow and promised that, if they don’t eat it straight away, they will soon get another. The researchers followed up several years later and found that there was a strong correlation between those who were able to wait for the second marshmallow and positive outcomes in a wide range of success indicators.

Is it that some children just have better self-control than others and are somehow more geared to success than others? There is no doubt that all children are different. One of the things I love most about working in a school is appreciating the diversity of personalities I encounter. I do not at all hold to an idea that some have a personality type that is more likely to be successful. Qualities such as self-regulation, organisation and persistence may be more evident in some but they can be developed by all.

Shyam Barr is a researcher and education consultant who focuses on self-regulation. He is a strong advocate for anyone, child or adult, learning more about how their brain works, especially in relation to concentration and focus. He makes very simple suggestions that help individuals to be more aware of and be able to manage their attention. One I used during a recent long online meeting was to keep a tally of the times I felt my attention waning. This made me more aware and so able to refocus more quickly.

While the marshmallow test has been popularised and has been quite influential, psychological research has moved on and we now have a deeper understanding of the amazing thing that is the human brain. We know that the brain has a phenomenal capacity to learn and develop. As parents and as teachers, we are all working to help children and young people on the road to maturity by understanding themselves, how they learn and fostering the development of underlying behaviours that support learning and development in many different areas of life.

Should I ask if anyone has any Easter eggs left over?

Next week, we have the official opening of our new Secondary class rooms. We warmly welcome parents and carers to join us for our special Assembly on Tuesday or to come to have a look on Tuesday afternoon. Please check later in the newsletter for further details.

Jodie Bennett

Principal