Middle Years 

Relationships are the essence of a good school and positive relationships are crucial. Students need to feel connected, protected and respected. Good relationships benefit wellbeing and we are social beings. Our brains are designed to make social bonds and we need to be attuned to the mood of others. Research indicates that empathy develops early in life and continues to be developed at all stages of life.

This was a key message that Andrew Fuller delivered last week at a seminar I went on Resilience and Anxiety. He said we need to model compassion and forgiveness in our lives, both at school and in our family lives. Andrew has recently been on ABC Life Matters programme and his podcasts can be accessed on line.

At this week’s MyPEC Assembly, I reinforced the needs for students to be kind to each other and this was a good message to send during our Wellness Week. We are wired to be kind, our brains are wired for kindness and our instinct is to be collaborative. I said to the students that they will often need to ‘filter’ comments, and if they cannot say something nice then don’t say it at all.

Here are some tips from Ian Morris (Wellington College, UK) on how to make and sustain friendships;

1. Make time and show interest.
2. Encourage others.
3. Get together, but don't control events.
4. Be supportive and loyal.
5. Be helpful.
6. Hug your friends.
7. Be approachable and smile.
8. Be yourself.
9. Forgive your friends when they do something wrong.

Finally, I often emphasise this last point to students, is it important to forgive friends if they do something that challenges your friendship.

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years