Senior School
From the Head of Senior School
I was chatting to a friend of mine with young children who is struggling with the process of dropping her son at daycare. Every time she arrives at the centre, her son cries, clings to her and begs not to be left. Every time, the staff coax the young boy into an activity and my friend leaves, feeling guilty and, on occasion, slightly traumatised. Twenty minutes later, without fail, the daycare staff send through a photograph of the boy grinning or laughing and playing happily. My friend relaxes and continues with her day. Even though my friend is confident that her son will be well cared for and enjoy his day with his friends, the process of taking him to daycare is a challenge.
Her tale made me think about the struggles some students and families have in the morning getting here to school. While many teenagers happily arrive at school each day, eager to see their friends and ready to engage with their learning, there are a number of students who wake up and do not feel like they can face coming to school. Interestingly, there is strong evidence to show that being at school, having some structure and being distracted by the busyness of a school day can help improve mental health. Easy to say when you have a screaming toddler refusing to let you go. Or a distressed teenager begging to stay at home because they feel behind in a particular subject and can’t face their teacher, and that there was a person who was mean to them in the hallway yesterday; insisting that their best friend isn’t going to school today so they’ll have no one to talk to, at all, all day. Before we know it, our teenager has painted a grim picture of their day ahead and we have no real idea of what that might actually look like.
Perhaps I can reassure you. For many students, once they arrive at school, much like my friend’s son arriving at daycare, they engage with their day and before they know it, the day is over and it wasn’t so bad after all. The day starts with Homeroom and our Homeroom team and Heads of House check in with students and run their eyes around the room. If a young person is not OK, we often spot it and take action. In other instances, a distressed student’s friends will let staff know.
If you have a challenging morning with your child, let me or your Head of House know. We probably won’t send you a photo of your child merrily playing but we will happily check in with your child, discreetly, and let you know what they are doing and how they seem. We care for your child as much as those toddler’s carers do, and we will go out of our way to make sure they are happy and engaged at school, even when they are 15, 16, 17 and 18 years old. Please, wherever possible, bring your child to us so that you, too, can relax and continue with your day.
Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Senior School
Korean War Service
On Sunday 24 July, Andrew, Mrs Turnor and I had the privilege of attending the commemoration service of the 69th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. The keynote address was given by Ms Margaret Fay Duda, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea. She spoke of the 339 Australian lives that were lost in the conflict, including one Albany man, and her work ensuring that medals of service and the new memorial being built in Kings Park, Perth will commemorate their service. She also reminded the audience that the war has never technically ended, and that we must therefore be grateful for the peace and good relations Australia maintains with other countries.
The gratitude from the veterans and those running the service towards our attendance and the involvement of several GSG students in the cadets participation in the service was an important reminder as to our role in keeping the service of Korean War veterans remembered and thanked. We were very grateful for the invitation and the opportunity to learn more about the legacy of this conflict.
Mia Hawke | Camfield House Captain
Adolescent Mental Health Study
Researchers from the Department of Psychology at Macquarie University are investigating body image in Australian teenagers. They are seeking help from parents and their confident teens who are not worried about their appearance. Families will receive a $30 gift voucher for their time. For further information, please contact Cassie Lavell via bddproject@mq.edu.au.
Researchers:
- Cassie Lavell, PhD Candidate and Clinical Psychologist
- Dr Ella Oar, PhD , Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist
- Distinguished Professor Ron Rapee, PhD, ARC Laureate Fellow
Fogarty Futures Leadership Conference 2022
Applications close Wednesday 3 August.
More info here: www.fogartyfutures.org/apply