From boyhood to adolescence: The Turas Programme

Mr Brad Gill, Head of Middle School

Turas (Scottish Gaelic)

Origin & history

From Old Irish turus (“journey, visit; expedition; pilgrimage”).

For those who have attended one of my “Why Middle School” tours, my hope is that you may have left with two or three clear takeaways.

• Intentionality: There is intentionality in all that we do, from programme to facilities and everything in between.

• Joy: Students in middle school still require masterful educators who engage students in their learning and this, in my experience, is best achieved through creating joy in the learning process.

• Social and emotional development: The social and emotional development of students entrusted to our care is at least as important as their cognitive development AND, on occasion, even more important.

With these three key concepts in mind much time has been spent over the last 18 months developing our own unique approach to establishing our own significant point of difference.

This presents itself in the creation of the Turas Programme which intentionally delivers learning opportunities that enable our students to become the best version of themself, armed with the skills and processes that will best serve them as they step into the last four years of their secondary journey.

The Programme honours the age and stage of adolescent boys between 11 and 14 with learning experiences, resources and mentorship that will transition them from Junior School to Senior School, boyhood to adolescence, extrinsic to intrinsic motivation and dependence to independence.

Through Turas, we aim to develop students who can navigate a complex and

dynamic world with self-confidence and determination; embrace challenges with disciplined analysis and creativity; and engage others with empathy and integrity.

The Turas Programme prepares students for life by intentionally focusing on the development of:

• Character

• Integrity

• Emotional Intelligence

• Respect

• Relationships

• Wellbeing

• Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness

• Life Skills

• Leadership

• International Mindedness

• Community, Action, and Service

• Executive function

During the first term of our Turas Programme, Middle School students engaged in thoughtful activities that addressed two key areas; for the first half of term students worked on the theme of Positive Community, establishing growth goals and positive communication. Other key concepts were Social Connection, the Changing Brain, and Embracing JOMO (JOY of missing out).

During the latter part of the term the focus shifted to the notion of Best Self where students worked on establishing Self Belief,

Mindful Resilience, and an overarching Positive Outlook.

The rest of the year will see the boys focus on activities promoting Growth Mindset, Communication, Gratitude, Building Healthy Habits, Skills for Success, and Reflection and Transition.

I would like to thank the staff of the Middle School for their contributions to the creation of the Turas Programme but draw attention, specifically, to our Year Level Coordinators: Mr Michael Campbell, Mr Daniel Turco and Mr Kane Mitchell and our Deputy Head of Middle School – Pastoral Care, Mrs Giuseppina Giglia for their commitment to this task. In addition, I would like to personally thank Mr Justin Shaw, now Head of Student Leadership and Turas Programme Coordinator, who has led this initiative and deserves full credit for where we find ourselves today.

The Turas Programme is truly a unique framework which allows our students to develop as ethical, independent individuals who think critically and creatively, embrace diversity and develop into leaders and upstanders in communities. We hope parents will see the benefits of the Programme on the development of their boys and that our students enjoy the journey towards becoming the best version of themselves.