As Semester 1 draws to a close, I am once again amazed at how quickly the time has passed and by the myriad of opportunities our students have embraced.  This week has been particularly inspiring as we’ve witnessed the courage, diligence and resilence our students have shown in tackling assessment tasks and exams. Furthermore, the exuberance, creativity and vibrancy on display in the production of Frozen JR have filled us with delight.

The recent Careers Expo provided an invaluable opportunity for our community to engage with representatives from tertiary institutions, gaining insights into various degrees and training programs. A highlight of the evening was the firsthand accounts shared by Kilbreda Alumnae, offering our current students’ unique perspectives on diverse career pathways and experiences across different industries.

I know my colleagues and I have been impressed by the way our students have stepped up this term in their use of the Library – making use of this vital facility in their study and general academic preparation.  The lead-up to assessment tasks and exams has seen students realising the importance of the Library as a significant space in their learning journey.  It is a joy to see our students working independently, in pairs, or in small study groups, revising for their upcoming exams with focused and keen interest in the finer details prescribed by their teachers. 

Next week, our Year 10 students will start to consider future pathway options, under the guidance of Ms Jessica Baddeley.  A suite of subject taster sessions has been developed and along with opportunities to visit tertiary institutions, we hope that these authentic experiences will prompt conversations about life beyond the gates of Kilbreda and support our students to develop a level of independence, self-discipline and motivation to achieve success in the senior years.

Over the coming months, our students will start to make important decisions about their future pathway options. For some, this process can generate feelings of stress and anxiety. As parents and caregivers, we often want what is best for our children and hold certain expectations about them. Having these expectations can show our children that we believe in their capabilities and can encourage them to develop their abilities and build confidence. It communicates to them that what they do is important and that they matter.

However, it is critical to recognise whether our expectations emerge from our unique understanding of our child’s interests, talents, and temperament, or reflect our own hopes and goals. Parental expectations can become harmful when our child cannot meet them, and parents’ express disappointment. This disappointment can be internalised by the child as a sense of not being good enough, impacting their self-esteem and leading to feelings of shame.

Our child may be trying their best to meet our expectations but might lack the talent or ability to achieve potentially unrealistic goals, such as high marks in a challenging subject or a VCE pathway as opposed to a VCE Vocational Major pathway. The perceived pressure to meet these unrealistic expectations can lead to depression and anxiety. It is crucial to strike a balance in our expectations for our children, ensuring they are realistic and aligned with their individual strengths and interests.

Consider asking yourself the following questions to assess and adjust your expectations:

• Do my expectations align with my child’s interests, talents, and temperament?
• Are my expectations of their marks or their future pathway options realistic based on their ability?
• Is my child showing signs of stress or anxiety that is impacting their learning and wellbeing?
• Should I adjust my expectations to make them more achievable for my child so they can feel a sense of success and build their self-esteem?
• Is my child already trying their best, and am I adding to their stress by expressing high expectations?
• Am I expecting my child to achieve the same things as a sibling, parent, or peer?
• How do I respond when my child shares their marks with me, particularly if they are lower than expected?
• How does my child respond when they don’t achieve my expectations?

The wellbeing of our children profoundly impacts their learning and development. When we focus on their wellbeing, they will flourish and succeed. At Kilbreda, our aim is to work in partnership with parents to educate and support the students in our care. Together, we can help them navigate their future pathway decisions with confidence and resilience, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

As we reflect on the achievements of this semester, there is indeed much to celebrate.  I am immensely proud of all our students for their dedication and commitment to personal growth and to being the best person they can be.  As we embark on the mid-year break, I extend my warmest wishes to all community members for a safe and joyful holiday period.  May our students embrace this well-deserved time for rest and rejuvenation, returning refreshed and ready to tackle the opportunities that lie ahead.

Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement