Exploring teens Issue 13 /May - Jul 2017

A U S T R A L I A’ S M U S T- H A V E R E S O U R C E F O R R A I S I N G A D O L E S C E N T S

EXPLORINGTEENS HELP YOUR TEENS RESCUE THEIR FUTURE Alternative paths for Y11 & Y12 School refusal Learning disabilities in teens Successful study habits Accelerating HSC subjects

May/Jun/Jul 2017 Issue 13 $4.95

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Produced and published by Norwest Publishing Pty Ltd Founder/Publisher Mathea Viles PO Box 8149 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Editor Gillian Handley Graphic Design Melissa Kallas Print and distribution by Spotpress Pty Ltd Contributors Lynne Allister Jennifer Honor Claire Houston Nathan Jacobs Mirelle O’Mara Nicole Mangura Dr Lisa McKay-Brown Caitlyn Pitcher Fiona Waters Catherine Wormald Cover illustration Georgia Hood is 16 years old and currently studying at Barker College.

After school, she is hoping to pursue a career in fine arts as well as looking into the field of illustration/graphic design.

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FROM THE

FROM THE

PUBLISHER

ABN 64 167 026 913

EDITOR

By the time this issue is in circulation, I will be the mother of ‘adult’ twin boys!

Yes, my twins are 18. In honour of this milestone and to celebrate my survival (oops, sorry!), to celebrate their arrival as legal adults, we held a most fabulous party for me (apologies again), for them!

And yet while I may jest about surviving the challenges of this journey, the significance of the occasion hasn’t been lost on me.

In fact, there has been more than just a flurry of panic as I wonder whether I have indeed adequately fulfilled the duty that was bestowed upon me 18 years earlier.

The ‘L’ plates have hung very prominently around my neck for the vast majority of their lives. Just when I thought I had something sorted and understood, I realised we’d moved on and there was still more to learn, understand and stumble through.

I’ve often said to the boys that it’s OK to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. It’s just been unfortunate that I have seemed to be a very slow learner.

And yet somehow, despite my less than average parenting, I now have two boys that I am exceptionally proud of.

So what is my biggest wish for them?

Well, it’s not that their life is easy; there’s no learning in that. Struggles are a necessary part of our growth; they provide colour and flavour to our lives.

Instead, it’s that when they encounter difficulties and obstacles (which of course they will), they understand the amazing opportunities these provide; that they are cognisant of these moments and seize the chance to make any necessary adjustments to the trajectory of their lives.

Fortunately, they are so much further down that path than I ever was at their age, so I can only assume that they will indeed, continue to grow and age into even more incredible people. In the meantime, I am left reflecting on their remaining ‘teen years’ while preparing again with my nine year old, to continue the journey of … Exploring Teens.

This issue, we take an eminently practical look at some of the choices and challenges associated with our children’s study and learning. To kick off, we outline the alternative study paths available for students in Years 11 and 12. If your teen is grappling with the decision of whether or not to accelerate a subject for the HSC, we have some pros and cons for you to consider.

Setting up good study habits at the very beginning of high school is a wise move. Jennifer Honor from UTS INSEARCH shares her strategies for developing sound study habits in teens.

What do you do if your child flatly refuses to go to school? School refusal is about more than truancy, and it takes a team effort from the family, school and health professionals to achieve the best result for these troubled teens. We find out more from Dr Lisa McKay-Brown.

Dealing with learning disabilities is hard for anyone, but teens have particular challenges to overcome.

Mandy Nayton, President of AUSPELD shares some invaluable advice.

What happens when intellectual giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand? Catherine Wormald, from the School of Education at the University of Wollongong explains how these children are frequently misunderstood.

We also share some moving insights on learning disabilities from a mum and from one very determined teen.

Many parents worry about how their children will fare in a highly competitive work environment of today and the future. The new report from the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), The New Work Mindset recommends that we shift our focus from jobs to skills to prepare young people for the future of work.

We show you how to use the findings of the FYA’s report to equip your child for the workplace of the future.

As you can see, this issue is packed with practical advice — we hope you find it useful.

Mathea

Gillian WWW.EXPLORINGTEENS.COM.AU 3

YOUR SAY

This is what some of our readers had to say: The magazine looks great and we plan to make them available to our parents at P & F meetings and other events that we have.

Donna

The magazine was amazing.

Mum is a journalist and writes mainly for women's magazines and hasn't come across anything like it, particularly for parents of teens. She was really interested in the subject matter... It really is very well done.

Emily Thanks for the Feb, Mar, Apr 2017 edition of the magazine which is incredibly popular…. Your work is a credit to you. It is well received in our area and I’m sure there are plenty of parents who are extremely grateful to you. You have our support.

Great Lakes Library I received our copy of Exploring Teens and WOW! What a great magazine.

Sarah

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CONTENTS

This month we explore Learning and Study

FEATURES

REGULARS

Our ‘Exploring’ features provide depth and insight into issues affecting parents and teens.

5 Have You Heard?

Exploring Learning and Study 6 Years 11 and 12 — taking a different path The traditional path of completing Years 11 and 12 at school before heading off to work or further study does not suit everyone.

8 Accelerating HSC subjects — the pros and cons The idea of completing an HSC subject a year earlier can be appealing, but is it the right decision for your child?

10 Creating successful study habits As your children begin high school, it’s important to help them develop and maintain good study habits that they can use throughout their education.

14 Dealing with school refusal What can you do when your teen flatly refuses to go to school?

Dr Lisa McKay-Brown has some advice.

16 Learning disabilities in teens Having a learning disability is hard for anyone, but teenagers have particular challenges to overcome.

12 Your Teen’s World Life with Teens 22 Struggling to understand 24 Mentoring is the answer

Exploring Books 25 What are they Reading?

Reviews you can use for an exciting selection of books for teens

Exploring Gaming 26 What are they Playing?

Nathan Jacobs reviews some popular games using his exclusive parent-friendly rating system

Exploring the Market Place 27 Top tips for school formal shopping 28 Teens and addiction 29 Why should I study?

Transformetry explains 29 HSC Study Lab – for HSC success!

Online learning support for the HSC years 30 Building self-esteem 31 Do the benefits of tutors outweigh any ‘unfair advantage’?

18 Gifted kids and learning difficulties What happens when intellectual giftedness and learning disabilities go hand in hand?

32 What Can They Do? Get your teen active and engaged

Exploring Careers

33 3 Common Study Problems

19 How to choose a career for the new world of work The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) shows us how to prepare our children for the workplace of the future by focusing on skills, not jobs

34 Managing the stress of exams

4 EXPLORINGTEENS MAY – JULY 2017 | ISSUE 13

33 Getting help to support a teenager: Coaching, by ReachOut Parents 34 What Can They Use?

Our pick of products to help you and your teen 35 Mum’s House, Dad’s House at exam time: a survival guide.

Considerations for separated families during exam periods

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