From the Principal

Firstly, I would like to wish all our families a safe and enjoyable break. Our students & staff have worked extremely hard this term and everyone deserves a well-earned rest.

The impact of COVID – 19 and the uncertainty moving forward continues to have an impact on our students and how they are feeling. Particularly around friendships, social interactions and settling back into school life.

Given our experiences of 2020 and the sense of isolation and disconnect that so many of our students experienced I felt this was a timely reminder of the importance of support our young adults need in developing positive relationships. 

Michael Chambers a Lecturer at the School of Education (Qld), Australian Catholic University reports that secondary school can be a lonely place for adolescents who don’t have a best friend or a group of trusted friends. Young people will be more skilled in the art of making genuine friends (and keeping them) if they know how to be assertive, are optimistic about life, have some basic social skills and have a strong parental relationship with at home that includes honest talk.  

Friendship Issues

Secondary school, in particular the junior / middle secondary years, coincides with a time in life when young people are pushing new social and family boundaries. The transition into middle secondary school is especially demanding as once dependent kids become more independent particularly for year 7 students in a new schooling order of new routines, new teachers, and new friends.

Young people can be cruel and unkind to each other and to adults in this stage of life. Being bullied, teased and left out are signs of friendship troubles. Understandably, victims of bullying feel less positive about the school environment.

Social skills and being genuine

Adolescents are more likely to fit in and make friendships if they are seen to be socially acceptable by their peers. Ask yourself if your child is comfortable with, and knows how to enter a group situation and greet friends. Does your adolescent mix with friends in the schoolyard during breaks? Does your child talk about their friendships at home? How many of your child’s friends do you know well?

Healthy relationships with adults

Children who have good and healthy relationships with adults are more likely to have good and healthy relationships with their peers. So, it’s important for you to foster a supportive relationship with your child. Try to be an encouraging parent who really listens to your child’s concerns. Your child will not expect you to have all the answers.

But it’s likely a listening ear and a measured and moderate response will be welcomed by your adolescent child. If your child perceives you to be fair, that will go a long way to establishing a solid relationship between adult and child. In turn, it will increase the chance your child will have good relationships with his or her peers.

Adolescence can be tricky to navigate from a parent’s perspective. Making and maintaining healthy friendships is just one battle of the teenage years. Parental role-modelling, encouragement and seeking support from the school can make this aspect of the adolescent years rewarding and fruitful for many years to come.

References

Chambers, M. (2019). Adolescence can be awkward. Here’s how parents can help their child make and maintain good friendships. The Conversation.