EXPLORING TEENS UPDATE Since launching, Exploring Teens has been fortunate to receive some financial support via advertising from the wonderful businesses in this second issue. If you see something you like, please visit their Facebook page or website. As a free publication, advertising is critical to our ongoing production and so it’s important to us that our advertisers see tangible evidence of the benefits of the relationship we offer them.
Guest bloggers
In 2015, our website blog is going to be the place to hear directly from invited guest bloggers on matters that we want to address between magazine issues. So, if you have a pressing issue that you would like some discussion on, feel free to drop us a line at inquire@exploringteens.com.au
A U S T R A L I A’ S M A G A Z I N E F O R PA R E N T S O F A D O L E S C E N T S
EXPLORINGTEENS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015•ISSUE 2
ACTIVITIES CHOOSING
A HIGH SCHOOL
FUNDING AN
EDUCATION AFTER SCHOOL
FREE MANAGE
YOUR
TEEN’S TECH
REVIEWS
WHAT’S NEXT?
SUBJECT CHOICES MADE SIMPLER
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
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Competition winners
The lucky winners of our two launch competitions were notified in early December. We would like to thank: Ian Luff Safer Driving Academy, The Drummoyne Skin and Body Clinic, Pascal Press, The Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Blackmores and Dymocks.
Internet links
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2 EXPLORINGTEENS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 • ISSUE 2
EDITOR
PUBLISHER The second issue of Exploring Teens has arrived! For that, I am extremely grateful to those advertisers who have appreciated my vision and have chosen to support us in our journey. While it’s possible that we may not reach a financial breakeven point until my twilight years (much to my husband’s concern), we’re no longer moving financially backwards at the same rate. Phew! Publishing a magazine is such a fascinating experience. So far, I have learnt that as soon as you say you’re a magazine publisher everyone: ¡¡ can either write, wants to write or knows someone who writes ¡¡ has a very strong view on the content that should be included and is not shy about telling you, and ¡¡ believes that getting editorial is the largest challenge. And all of that is completely understandable because they were my exact views too. But publishing a magazine is so much more. Currently, I wear the following hats: Publisher, Assistant Editor, Sales Manager, HR Manager, Accountant (home territory), Website Designer, Social Media Coordinator, Magazine Courier, Customer Liaison Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, Writer and exhausted mum and wife! But I wouldn’t have it any other way and am thrilled to have the opportunity to do this. Thank goodness though, that I have a fantastic editor who not only managers the editorial, but assists me in many other areas. I have also been overwhelmed by the amazing interest and support you, our readers have shown Exploring Teens. It’s been confirmed over and over again, that just as I want this resource, so do you. But again, I ask for your continuing patronage. Funding is still the most critical issue and I can only access this with proven ‘readership’ by an engaged and interested audience. So please: ¡¡ subscribe (you are rewarded with great monthly offers) ¡¡ invite friends to subscribe ¡¡ Like our Facebook page ¡¡ Participate in Facebook by commenting, liking or sharing posts. And as always, I will uphold my part in promising to deliver high quality editorial that will assist all of us as we continue…Exploring Teens.
Mathea
The jump from primary to high school is a big one—for parents as well as children. While your child is in primary school, you feel (relatively) in control of what he or she is doing. At high school, your child becomes more independent and you seem to know less and less about what he or she gets up to. Just as you begin to get used to this, it’s time to start thinking about life after school. At this point, you and your child face a bewildering array of options and choices. Now you worry about whether you have all the information you need—as the saying goes, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’. In this issue, we explore secondary schooling and the options available for study or work after school. Research has shown that parental involvement in the decision-making process about what a child does after school is critical. Remember though, the pathway you choose must be the one your child wants to follow. This is about your child’s dreams—not yours. Your children will spend a great deal of their lives at work—how tragic if they hate what they do. Our Subject Selection Simplified article has some tips about making subject choices, and some unexpected findings from the Research from Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) studies about students’ post-school success and happiness. If financing your child’s education is keeping you awake at night, our Dollars for Sense article covers the bases for you. Do your child’s tech habits have you worried? We’ve got some great practical advice on managing your teen’s use of technology. Dymocks have come up trumps again with some great insights into what’s on the bookshelves for teens and parents, and we have some more game reviews to bring you up to speed with what your teen is playing. As always, don’t forget to drop us an email or visit our website or Facebook page—we’d love to hear from you.
Gillian
EXPLORINGTEENS
FROM THE
FROM THE
FEB/ MAR 2015 ISSUE TWO
Produced and published by Norwest Publishing Pty Ltd Director/Publisher Mathea Viles ABN 64 167 026 913 PO Box 8149 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Editor Gillian Handley Graphic Design Melissa Kallas Print and distribution by Spotpress Pty Ltd Contributors Graeme Evans Daniel Fitzpatrick Ros Gillieatt Nathan Jacobs Adeline Teoh Thank you to the Young and Well CRC’s Youth Brains Trust for their contribution to our Starting High School article. Subscriptions Subscribe online at the Exploring Teens website Website www.exploringteens.com.au Facebook www.facebook.com/exploringteens
Contact us
Editorial (including Letters to the Editor) editorial@exploringteens.com.au Advertising advertising@exploringteens.com.au Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in Exploring Teens are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial staff. Exploring Teens provides general information that cannot be regarded as a substitute for any form of professional advice. The accuracy of website addresses cannot be guaranteed at the time of publishing. No part of Exploring Teens can be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of the publisher.
WWW.EXPLORINGTEENS.COM.AU 3
YOUR SAY This is what some of our readers of the first issue had to say: Congratulations on the first edition of Exploring Teens! I'm sure that a huge amount of time, energy, and resources went into this and it definitely shows. The magazine is excellent—I'm very impressed. Exactly the kind of magazine I would recommend to parents. Again, congratulations and I wish you all the best as your business grows! – Dr. Brent Conrad, Clinical Psychologist www.TechAddiction.ca Very excited to discover this magazine aimed at parents of teens. Picked it up yesterday at Dymocks in Wollongong. Finally, a magazine aimed at this niche market— congratulations on the initiative and the great content. Laughed at How to Speak Gen Z (page 14), and I read with relief and amusement the following quote in Grant Me Serenity (page 21): ‘Rising eventually to his feet, he can't resist waving the red flag at the bull one more time as he adopts a slow shuffle.’ OMG LOL! I have a teen in my house who adopts the same tactics. Thanks goodness I'm not the only bull being provoked! – Toni Great reading for parents and teens. Excellent topics, well designed and colourful. – Kim Fantastic idea to create a resource for those of us parenting teens! It never gets old! – Debbie
CONTENTS This month we explore EDUCATION
FEATURES Our ‘Exploring’ features provide depth and insight into issues affecting parents and teens.
Exploring Secondary Education
6 Secondary School Options 8 Choosing a High School Gillian Handley walks you through the process 10 The Middle School Option Graeme Evans explains 14 Subject Selection Simplified Help your teen choose the right subjects
Exploring Finance
9 Dollars for Sense Adeline Teoh looks at funding options for secondary and tertiary education
Exploring Technology
16 Should you Manage your Teen’s Tech? Ros Gillieatt looks at what you need to consider when deciding how much to intervene
Exploring Tertiary Education
18 Looking Beyond School We outline study and other pathways for your schoolleaving teen
I enjoyed reading the magazine. It was very informative, colourful and full of great news. Can't wait to read the next edition. – Marylyn If you have any feedback to offer, we would love to hear it. Please drop us a line at editorial@exploringteens.com.au
REGULARS 5 Have You Heard? 11 Communication
Social Media Explained
12 Your Teen’s World
Snippets of news about teen issues
23 Life with Teens ¡¡ Humour ¡¡ Health
18 Teens Talk
he Young and Well CRC’s Youth T Brains Trust share the fears they had about starting high school
Activities, products and services
26 What Can They Do? Our pick of some great teen-related activities. 27 What Can They Can Use? Products/services for teens that have caught our attention 27 Activities Directory Still looking for more activites to entertain your teen? You’ve found it!
Reviews 24 What are they reading? Great reads from the well-read team at Dymocks 25 What are they playing? Nathan Jacobs reviews two popular video games: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
LOOK OUT FOR EXPLORING TEENS ISSUE 3 FOCUS ON CAREER AND MONEY DUE OUT END MARCH 2015!
4 EXPLORINGTEENS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 • ISSUE 2
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