From the Principal
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“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work,
and learning from failure.” (Colin Powell)
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Over the coming week, our Year 12 students will receive teacher feedback after their recent Exam Block, so I highlight pertinent research from the University of New South Wales. Researchers interviewed 722 Year 12 students from a representative sample of Sydney schools, finding that 42% suffered from high-level anxiety and 16% reported severe levels of anxiety. Just over half of the students felt that too much was expected of them in Year 12, identifying workload as the main pressure they faced.
Statistical analysis showed they identified the greatest source of pressure in the following ways - nearly half (44%) said the pressure they felt was self-inflicted, with other sources including family (35%) and school or teachers (21%). Gifted students, however, were the most likely to say that pressure was self-inflicted, with 47% saying they put pressure on themselves to achieve top marks compared with 24% of average-ability students.
While the result that 42% of students experience high levels of anxiety in Year 12 is concerning, the UNSW researchers state that "it is the impact of pressure, however, that is most concerning" with 44% of students describing themselves as regularly being agitated, irritable or nervous. Academic pressure leads to stress and altered learning behaviours, such as procrastination, lack of sleep and all-night cramming sessions. The result is that even the most academically able students can do poorly on exams due to the impact of stress.
Youth mental health prevention and management group, Generation Next, has posted a link to an article listing tips for parents and carers on helping children escape the cycle of anxiety. Tips include:
- Seek to help children manage anxiety rather than remove or avoid stressors.
- Express confidence that the child will learn to manage anxiety over time, and let them know that you appreciate the work it takes to tolerate anxiety in order to do what they want or need to do.
- Don’t ask leading questions such as ‘Are you anxious about the big test?, instead ask open-ended questions such as ‘How are you feeling about the test?’
- Model healthy ways of handling anxiety.
In dealing with disappointment, Generation Next also links to an article outlining ways to help children deal with setbacks or disappointments, such as:
- Acknowledge emotions so that children know you care and understand what they are going through
- Listen to the child talk out their feelings without feeling you have to ‘fix’ the problem
- Encourage problem-solving: Ask the child if they can think of a solution; brainstorm different solutions with them; agree on a solution; remind the child then put the plan into action; review the plan at a later time to see if it has worked or whether something needs to be done differently.
Welcome to School Psychologist
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Sasha Preston to the position of Student Counsellor – Psychologist commencing 7 August 2023. Mrs Preston comes to us as College Psychologist from Marist College Ashgrove. She will be working alongside Miss Sarah Wilkinson in the Student Wellbeing Centre.
Mrs Preston has worked as a Clinical Psychology Registrar with Woodside Counselling Service and a Registered Psychologist with Psychcare Psychology providing services to both adults and children. Additionally, Mrs Preston has also worked as a Senior Mental Health Clinician with the Child & Youth Mental Health Service for West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, and as a Senior Psychologist in the Child Development Service for West Moreton Hospital and Health Service. Mrs Preston has been involved in the “Counsellor Enhance Initiatives In Care Program” through Lifeline for children in the care of the Department of Child Safety. Her experience working as a Social Worker – Family Intervention Services with Lewisham Social Services in the United Kingdom has been invaluable.
Mrs Preston has a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) from the University of Queensland, a Master of Clinical Psychology – Advance Entry from the University of Southern Queensland and holds recognition as a STAP approved supervisor. We welcome Sasha to Somerville House.
Pedestrian Safety
As always, we request parents and community members to be mindful of the safety of our students and community members around the School.
We ask drivers to obey the speed, parking and other traffic rules at all times and especially in the vicinity of the School. We all need to do our best to ensure the safety of our girls and boys. Thank you for your patience navigating the traffic congestion on Graham Street.
Term Dates 2024
Please find the term dates for 2024, which have been recently updated on our school website at this link.
Boarding parents will observe a change, with boarders’ travel bookings to be made on the last day of each term, which is reserved as a Student Free Day. This change will optimise teaching time and so allow for teachers to continue with covering the curriculum, and not adjust the content when impacted by poor student attendance rates.
Somerville House Principal recruitment update
The PMSA’s recruitment of the Thirteenth Somerville House Principal is nearing its conclusion.
A rigorous and robust recruitment campaign has been undertaken both nationally and internationally to find a suitably qualified replacement to lead the next chapter of Somerville House in its 125th year.
“Our important search for the next Somerville House Principal is in its final stages and we expect to be in a position to share the outcome of this process at the end of August,” PMSA Chief Executive Officer, Shane Coppin said.
“We appreciate there is a great deal of interest in this announcement, and we remain committed to finding an outstanding candidate to lead this prestigious school.
“We look forward to announcing who will be the Thirteenth Principal for Somerville House and thank the Somerville House community for their continued support as we finalise this process,” he said.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal