P&F Christmas Celebrations for Somerville House Volunteers & Families
A reminder to the Somerville House community about this event on Thursday 1 December. Thanks to the generosity of our P&F Association we can gather to sing some Christmas songs and enjoy friendship and acknowledge the generosity of volunteers. It is not too late to RSVP, so please click here to reserve your tickets for your family before Friday 25 November.
Helping Teens Manage Stress
I recently read an article about helping teens deal with stress. Aspects of the article resonated and I appreciated the ideas for how schools and parents might work together to nurture well-being in teenagers. Adolescents at this stage of life are becoming more cognisant of life's big questions and the adults can help guide them in navigating the stressful moments.
Statistics show that eighty-three percent of adolescent students report school as a main stressor. Solutions are within reach, but they require parents and educators to get curious and work together. While school is the likely cause of the stress, disclosure is often to the parent. How the parents and schools work together is critical to develop the teen’s sense of connection to the family and the School.
The article suggests the following three steps to develop and enhance a culture of care:
- Empathetic Acknowledgement
Express empathy for what they are experiencing. Acknowledge that school can be ultra-stressful. Acknowledge them for showing up and trying. Assume every teen is doing their best given the conditions of their lives. Stress is not strictly a problem to be overcome. When we become more adept at noticing the signals of stress in the body, mind, and emotions, we can relate differently to it, seeing it as a message that more or less effort in a particular area may be needed to maintain well-being.
2. Reflective Enquiry
Why is school so stressful for students? If you really want to know what will help teen students cope with stress, take the guesswork out and ask them. At every turn, pivot, and decision-making process possible, invite their input. Once students are more aware of the characteristics and causes of their stress, they can apply compassionate curiosity.
3. Collective resourcing
Collective resourcing means committing to regular, consistent practices to help restore energy, develop students' ability to modulate stress, and move toward vitality. These are equally useful as individuals at home or can be used in a class or group situation.
- Nature - Ten to twenty minutes outdoors can be significantly stress-relieving. You can find a particular spot to spend time in or take a walk instead.
- Fresh Air - The benefit of spending time in the great outdoors is to simply find some fresh air.
- Water or Snacks - A common challenge for teens is getting enough nutrition and staying hydrated when their stressful lives have them on the go and there's too much happening in their own heads.
- Breath - Encourage students to inhale normally, counting the inhale. Then, exhaling, extend the breath by a few counts. Repeat five to seven times. This is one of the most effective ways to release tension.
- Movement - Almost any movement that comes naturally can be helpful in alleviating stress and completing stress cycles. Try jumping, rocking, shaking, tapping, clapping, squeezing, or other rhythmic, repetitive movements.
- Rest - Offer them ten-to-twenty-minute breaks to place their bodies in the most comfortable positions they can find.
- Music - As a universal language, music can work wonders for co-regulation. Create a collaborative playlist. (This is a personal favourite for helping me at stressful times).
- Play and Laughter - Make space for joy. Get to know what brings them joy and share your joy as well.
Be sure to recognise when referrals to student support staff, including counsellors, psychologists, or other school-based mental health care providers, may be needed.
Acknowledgement: Abby Wills “Re-Framing Teen Stress” in ascd, July 2022
Bus Survey Results
Recently the School issued a survey to determine the level of interest in the introduction of a dedicated Somerville House bus service.
In reviewing survey results, and as an inner-city school with a varied demographic, the responses confirmed that there was interest in a number of routes but insufficient demand for any one particular area. The School also noted that in some suburbs there were very good public transport options already in place.
In assessing the long term sustainability of a charter service, and given the current economic climate and unpredictability of rising costs, the School has unfortunately concluded that it is unable to provide a cost effective option for 2023.
Thank you to all who took the time to participate in the survey.
SomerLink Posts
I encourage all parents to access SomerLink on a daily basis. Sure, it is a new habit to adopt, but it is the only way to keep up with what is happening at the School. I am trying hard to ensure that important information is communicated via this platform and based on survey feedback, we are avoiding filling up your email box. We rely on parents to access SomerLink for school notices. If you need help setting up your interest groups or having a Daily Digest notification, then please contact Mr Paul Bernardi via email and he would be happy to help you optimise your use of SomerLink.
Enjoy the rest of Week 6 and treat people with kindness!
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal