Year 8

“The wellbeing of today’s youth has never been more challenging.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID Fatigue & Youth Mental Health

As the nation remains to be on alert and in various stages of lockdown, restrictions continue to be mandated. And we, as a society, persevere to do the best we can to navigate this post-COVID era. Whilst some of us quietly take comfort from the availability of vaccines, it does introduce new uncertainties for families and young people alike. We continue to remain in a state of suspended animation, wondering when “normal” will return.

The physical impact of the pandemic has mostly spared our young people, however researchers are now reporting that children and adolescents are paying a heavy emotional and developmental price, being affected by a range of psychological disorders. According to Kids Helpline, emergency interventions to protect young people have skyrocketed over the last 12 months.

Being a young person today is hard, but so too is being the parent of one. A recent international survey reported that parents are struggling to keep their child’s mental health afloat. Young people are feeling like they don’t have much control over their lives. Their developmental processes have been interfered with and their trajectory has been interrupted. Unfortunately the emotional blowback of the pandemic cannot be vaccinated away. Young people can’t choose what happens to them, but they can choose how to respond. Encouraging them to use programs such as Moodgym, will help them change their thinking.

If your young person wishes to talk to someone outside of the family unit, encourage them to call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 – anytime, any reason. Alternatively, they can chat online at kidshelpline.com.au

Goal Setting

Self-management is a skill that many of our students are developing. We’re aware that students who can effectively self-manage are able to manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviours effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation & agency to accomplish personal/collective goals. Developed self-management can also significantly influence responsible decision making. 

Effective goal setting is a key strategy in aiding the development of self-management. We’re aware that for some, goal setting can be tokenistic. Subsequently, wanting to increase Tutor/Student engagement with academic and personal goal setting.

“Setting goals gets you to the places you want to go. It’s a process that turns dreams into reality. Learning how to set goals will help you to plan your future, and to clarify what’s important to you. Whether your goals are big or small, the first step in achieving them is deciding what they are!” – Reach Out Australia.

Setting goals (long-term, short-term and daily goals) and committing oneself to accomplishing what has to be done each day to achieve goals helps you to be successful. This week Yr 8 will be focusing on setting SMART academic and personal goals to ensure improvements and success for Term 3.

The aim of promoting goal setting is to allow students to be able to

  • Establish and work toward the achievement of positive and realistic goals (both short- and long- term). 
  • Develop a plan and action steps with reasonable timeframes for completion. 
  • Analyse how current decisions may impact goal achievement. 
  • Monitor and sustain progress toward goal achievement, using motivational strategies and celebrating successes. 

Aim of Goal Setting

  • Teach students procedures for setting goals (SMART Goals)
  • Teach students about useful resources and equipment and resources available to assist them in achieving their goals
  • Teach students how to revise goals as needed
  • Over the course of several weeks, monitor student progress on their identified goals and document progress. 
  • Over the course of several weeks, have students work on individual goal projects using goals they identify for themselves. Have them monitor and document their progress for several weeks. 
  • Define “perseverance” and “discipline”
  • Talk about how you motivate yourself when you need to
  • Discuss help seeking strategies.

“We’ve re-set goals during different times of this year after we’ve hit a few of our other ones so I think it’s always nice to keep pushing yourself and refresh your goals and do the best you can to try to bring in that next level.” – Ash Barty.

Rob Barty’s advice to his daughter growing up, “One, be a good person; two, have fun; three, be happy; four, show respect and be respected; and then number five was, if you can play tennis after that, it’s an added bonus.”

Parent Webinar – Digital Safety

Monday 26 July 2021
6pm – 7pm
Webinar link: Click here.
Passcode: 106933

The webinar will provide real-world and relevant information, providing strategy-rich and practical content such as:

  • Social media platforms and current behavioural trends 
  • Current legislation and research around topical online issues
  • Gaming management strategies
  • Safety and communication strategies parents can deploy within the home
  • Cyberbullying reporting pathways and management strategies

More Cyber Safety information and resources can be found on the Redlands Cyber Safety Hub which is a free resource for Redlands families.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au