Suicide is at a distressingly high level in NZ - particularly among young men.
Understanding suicide in NZ
Today, as part of whole-school PD, we had a presentation from a child psychologist around the subject of Managing Child Anxiety. I am pleased that this topic is being given an airing because it is so important.
Limited reassurance is the only way to move forward. Ok to worry, but let's decide how we can manage this. Compassion is key. Exposure is the only way to overcome what we are scared of, but this needs to be handled carefully.
Hot/cold responses just add to the anxiety - remove the drama.
I believe that anxiety is very real. Without playing to the drama, it is important to find something positive to say to each student.
Education is changing more rapidly in the 21 century than ever before. Every aspect is up for debate; the curriculum, pedagogy, learning spaces, new skills and technologies.
As we start a new school year, we transition in a new cohort of Year 7 students from over a dozen different feeder schools. Some have siblings at the school already, but for some the changes are monumental. Kids who have been allowed to get up and wander around MLE/ILE struggle to stay put in more formal classes (or to remember to ask to leave the room for the toilet). This requires a shift in teacher outlook - should we be allowing more freedom of movement around our Intermediate learning spaces?
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