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 Losing their way? Getting demotivated teens on track
IS YOUR TEEN FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS?
WE'LL HELP YOU CATCH THEM
Future-proofing your teen Prepare for the new working world
‘My teen has no idea what to do after school!’ Gender identity
What you should know
School discipline – out of touch?
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Study skills seminar FOR PARENTS AND TEENS
Is your teen wasting time because of a lack of study skills? Is procrastination or motivation a challenge? Are you looking for ways to help combat exam stress?
If so, Exploring Teens invites you and your teen to join us for an evening that combines study skills and stress reduction discussions. The evening will provide many insights and practical tips. Your teen will learn techniques for studying smarter, and you as a parent will understand your supporting role.
Feedback from our last event ‘ Wow wow and wow... an amazing, informative and inspiring night.’ ‘ Great informative event with fantastic speakers.’ ‘ Very worthwhile, glad I attended.’
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John George is the founder of InFlow Education, a high school teacher and tutor for 15 years. John regularly helps young people transform their academic results by teaching them the underlying inner peace and confidence that sustains their success. John is also the author of Teenage Zen – a simple path to academic success and inner peace.
Sarah Carman is a passionate tutor, writer, speaker and health advocate. She is the founder of Sponge Education, a student support initiative in Sydney. Sarah and her growing team work with students all over Sydney, helping them to understand difficult subjects, enjoy learning, ace exams, and maintain balance. Sarah’s ultimate goal is to empower students to feel good when they learn.
Kim Hansen is a child, adolescent and young adult specialist, has over 30 years experience. Beginning her career as a teacher and later specialising in the area of learning difficulties, Kim then successfully combined her knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning and behaviour with Counselling, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Special Education, to support good mental health.
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COURSES
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CITY AND NORWEST CAMPUS YOUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES DON’T DEPEND ON AN ATAR
I declined an offer to study at university because the idea of small class sizes, one-on-one help from teachers and the friendly staff and students appealed to me so much more than the idea of sitting through lectures with hundreds of other students. After completing my course I was offered a job with Lander and Rogers Lawyers but still feel confident knowing I can use my Diploma as a direct pathway to university.
• No ATAR required for entry • Automatic Entry (with credit) into university degree on completion of 40 week diploma course • Small class sizes – individual attention • Excellent employment prospects • VET FEE HELP available
Ritesh Maharaj - Business Student
After not receiving the ATAR I needed for university I decided to complete my Diploma with Bedford as an alternate pathway into a teaching degree. Attending Bedford after school was the best decision for me as I felt it was a fantastic stepping stone into university. The course prepared me with the necessary academic skills that I use on a daily basis whilst completing a Bachelor of Education (0-12 years) at Notre Dame University.
www.bedford.edu.au 1300 174 174
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Bedford College
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54 Parramatta Road, Glebe (directly opposite Sydney University) 2 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills (corner of Norwest Bvd & Columbia Crt)
2 EXPLORINGTEENS AUGUST - OCTOBER 2016 | ISSUE 10
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AUG - OCT 2016 ISSUE TEN FROM THE
FROM THE
PUBLISHER
EDITOR
I have a friend with three children, the youngest of whom finished Year 12 last year. While they have all mostly emerged through the tunnel of adolescence and have managed to get themselves on a path that seems to be working for them, finding this path post school wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Their experience during the period that immediately follows the end of formal schooling revealed some interesting insights. Her oldest child decided to go to uni, but would take a gap year for travel and work. From all accounts, this was a pretty smooth transition as there was certainty; however, not so for the remaining two. On completing Year 12, neither of them felt interested in further studies, so they marched out into the world as… school leavers. At this point, they found themselves being constantly asked, ‘Are you going straight to uni?’ Of course when the response was ‘no’, the next question followed, ‘So you’ve gone straight into a job?’ — again ‘no’. ‘Oh, so you’re on a gap year?’ Well a gap year implies that it is filling a gap between two places of certainty — either school and tertiary studies, or school and work. With no job lined up and no further studies, they didn’t feel comfortable referring to this as a gap year. In the three or four months following the end of school, this interrogation was unrelenting. The discovery during this process was just how unprepared all of them were for it. Each teen held a part-time job during school, but when they finished, they aspired to a better job than the one they did simply to earn pocket money. Of course with no additional skills to those they left school with and no concrete direction, they had little ability to compete in a job market overflowing with unqualified applicants. Their anxiety increased and their self-esteem took a battering. In part, this was the inspiration for this issue. A place of resources and support for those parents whose teens could potentially fall between the cracks. So as always, we invite you to join us on another courageous journey of… Exploring Teens.
Sometimes, being a parent feels like being stranded in a minefield without a map — you don’t know how you got this far, and you have no idea if you’ll reach the other side in one piece! Parents fear so many things for their teens — will they be happy? Will they get a good job? Will they have a secure future? Will they have good friends? Will they find the right partner? In the past, the pathways seemed simple. Typically, you went to school then on to a trade or university. You followed one career path, often working for the same organisation for years. You travelled a bit, married, got a mortgage and had kids. You aspired to what your parents had — maybe a bit more. Today, the game has changed. We are facing a workplace that is altering radically on a daily basis — even faster than initially predicted. Competition for jobs is fierce, and our teens often seem demotivated in the face of it. We worry that they don’t know what they want to do after school; that they may not get the marks they need to enter the course they want at uni or TAFE; that they may not get an apprenticeship or job. At school, teachers are under pressure to cram more into the already crowded syllabus. Teens who disrupt classrooms often receive short shrift, yet bad behaviour may be a symptom of something else. Troublesome teens may need help rather than punishment, but antiquated approaches to discipline could mean these children are left behind. Our society is changing at eye-watering speed. Our children are plugged in and switched on at a level we could not have dreamt of at their age. As teens define themselves, gender identity may be part of the process, but the concept of gender fluidity can be a new and bewildering one for parents. In the frenetic pace of today, our teens can all too easily slip between the cracks. Once again, we have drawn on the wisdom of experts to help you understand the issues that your teens face, and to help you prepare your children for the future.
Mathea
Gillian
Produced and published by Norwest Publishing Pty Ltd Founder/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 Susie Ashton-Davies, Lynne Allister, Emily Booth, Associate Professor Linda Graham, Catherine Hughes, Nathan Jacobs, Shannon Johnston, Dr Angela Mornane, Mirelle O’Mara, Dr Marilyn Paul Cover illustration Felicity Handley Contributing photographers Emma Handley, Thomas Mulquiney Thank you to our interviewees: Jan Owen AM, CEO of Foundation for Young Australians, Jacob Clark, Beth Ferguson, Nicole Frain, Lauren Northern, Brielle O’Kane for their contribution to ‘Taking a Different Path’. Subscriptions Subscribe online at the Exploring Teens website www.exploringteens.com.au
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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.
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YOUR SAY
This is what some of our readers had to say: This is a fantastic resource, am so glad I found it. Vicki S This magazine has been extremely useful for me as a parent with teens going through all sorts of different stages. Exploring Teens covers a variety of issues that parents and teenagers experience through this, at times treacherous, period! An invaluable resource!! Tracey What do you want the most when you're in the middle of a situation with your teen, and you're not sure which way to turn, which method to employ, whether to be hard or tough, etc? Most of all, I find I want ideas. I want to explore different options with suggestions coming from parents in the middle of the same situations — or who have just passed through. I want recent stories and testimonies from parents about what did and didn't work. And that's what I get with Exploring Teens. Jane Thanks Mathea and Gillian for your terrific work. An excellent magazine and Facebook page. Your effort is appreciated. Mary It is so good to read in depth articles that take you that little bit further — much better than the snack-sized offerings elsewhere! Well done! Jane Thank you for assisting in understanding and supporting teens. Michelle
CONTENTS
This month we explore Education
FEATURES Our ‘Exploring’ features provide depth and insight into issues affecting parents and teens.
Exploring Motivation
6 Losing Their Way Has your teen lost the way? by Dr Angela Mornane has helpful advice and strategies
Exploring Education
8 School Discipline — Out of Touch? Associate Professor Linda Graham explains that there may be more to disruptive behaviour than meets the eye. 10 My Teen has no Idea What to do After School Career practitioners can help give your teen direction. Dr Catherine Hughes explains how it works. 14 A Level Playing Field for the HSC Disability provisions are useful for eligible students, but not all schools understand them 25 Surviving Exams How we can help our teens deal with the stress of ‘high-stakes’ tests.
Exploring the Future
16 Future-proofing Your Teen for Work We ask Jan Owen AM, CEO of Foundation for Young Australians, for advice on how to equip our teens for the new working world 19 Taking a Different Path What to do when high school is not working for your teen. Teens’ share their experiences.
Exploring Gender
21 To my Gender-fluid Child A mum discovers her child is gender fluid.
4 EXPLORINGTEENS AUGUST - OCTOBER 2016 | ISSUE 10
22 Gender Diversity Dr Marilyn Paull explains what parents should know. 24 A Guide to Sex and Gender A guide to the difference in the meanings of sex, sexual identity, gender identity and gender presentation.
REGULARS 5 Have You Heard? 12 Your Teen’s World Life with Teens
11 25 Things we say to our Teens Everyday 28 Alarmed but not Alert
Exploring Books
26 What are they Reading? Reviews you can use for an exciting selection of books for teens
Exploring Gaming
27 What are they Playing? Nathan Jacobs reviews some popular games using his exclusive parent-friendly rating system
Exploring the Marketplace
29 Can Life Coaching Help our Teens? 31 Services Directory Some great services for teens and parents 32 Help Your Teen Create a Study Program that will Work 33 What can they Use? Our pick of products we think you and your teens will love 34 What can they Do? Get your teen up and doing.
Thank you for taking the time to look at Exploring Teens. If you would like to read the rest of this issue, please subscribe to either the print copy via our website or our App on IOS and Android Please see our website for further details Click here