From the Deputy Head of College, Patrick Brennan
Those families who have children of both genders would often reflect on the differences between them. As a parent, it’s important to understand the value of adjusting your discipline, confidence-building and communication strategies when parenting your sons.
Boys are wired differently to girls. They think differently and about different things than girls.
They mature slower, particularly when it comes to language development, social skills and their fine motor skills.
They are organisationally challenged as well. They are more boisterous, more self-conscious and more awkward than girls, particularly as they move into adolescence.
Loyalty is a high driver for most boys. Many will get in to confrontations at school to back up their mates, or because someone said something nasty about their little sister.
The abiding wish of all boys from school-age through to adolescence is to fit in and be part of a group. They are group-oriented by nature.
Approval is at the heart of working successfully with boys. They will walk over broken glass or hot coals if they sense you like them which is an important message for parents and teachers alike.
Boys need specific parenting. Here are some examples:
- They like limits and boundaries. They help them learn. They also like to push against them too so you had better have a backbone if you are raising boys.
- Boys also respond to think language. If you want to know how a boy feels, just ask him how he think – and he’ll probably tell you how he feels.
- Boys generally are more impulsive than girls so strategies that help boys think and reflect on their behaviour are really beneficial.
- Boys embarrass easily and they generally respond better when they are praised in private, rather than publicly.
When you understand the differences between genders your discipline, confidence-building and communication strategies have greater impact, particularly when parenting boys.
Success of Wellbeing Mentor Meetings
Last week parents had the opportunity of meeting their son’s Wellbeing Mentors as part of the new vertical house system implemented in 2017.
The take up rate of parents to attend these meetings was excellent and continues to reinforce the positivity surrounding the recent changes to the wellbeing structure at the College. I wish to thank the many parents who attended these sessions and their ongoing support of the positive cultural change we are seeing at Waverley College.
Friday Night Basketball
In a first for the College, Year 10 supporter’s duty was moved from its traditional spot in the middle of winter at Football and Rugby to last Friday night supporting the First V Basketball team. It’s important that we support all areas of College life and celebrate the hard work and success across all areas.
The College wishes to thank Cranbrook who agreed to the rescheduling and to the Year 10 supporters who really shook the gym with their energetic support, uniform and behaviour.
The end result saw Waverley take out the seconds whilst we were beaten by the better team on the night in the firsts.
Parents’ Association Welcome Cocktail Party
The Parents’ Association is hosting its popular welcome cocktail party this Saturday evening at the Cosgrove Centre Rooftop Basketball Court. Numbers are set to exceed 600, a number I suggest reflects the strength and sense of community among our parent body. I know I speak on behalf of the College Executive and Board in saying that we look forward to meeting many of you on Saturday evening.
Supporting Students in the Heat
During hot weather there are a variety of duty of care measures that can be used to support students. Examples of some of the strategies we employed over recent weeks included:
- Rotating class use of air-conditioned facilities where available.
- Opening up of the aquatic centre at lunch time
- Varying normal teaching programs through the use of shady and cool outdoor facilities.
- Encouraging students to drink water and allowing drink bottles in the classroom.
- Altering timetables or programs to avoid physical activity or the use of equipment that may generate heat.
- Cancelling and or modifying sporting or physical education activities that might stress students or expose them unnecessarily to the sun.
- Using fans or other devices in an appropriate way to remain cool.
Parents can help by:
- Sending their children to school with a water bottle (it can be a good idea to freeze the water overnight so it’s nice and cold the next day)
- Packing a hat in your son’s school bag
- Applying sunscreen before they head off to school.
