As we head into the break for school holidays, the Pastoral Team want to wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable time. Some parents and caregivers will not of course get a holiday break but hopefully the students will help out around the house as well as have some fun outings and downtime which is not always appreciated in our busy lives. It is good for our brains to reflect on not only the good things but the mistakes we’ve made and what we have learned from them. As report cards are being delivered, students need to celebrate the achievement from doing one’s best but also see errors in exams and disappointing marks as a way of improving after getting the feedback. This also helps with building confidence through resilience.

I came across this interesting article from Selena Bartlett, a professor of neuroscience at QUT. 

Top 5 Foundations for Healthy Brain and Child Development (0–18 years)

Attachment and Safety (0–18 months)

• Prioritise bonding, physical affection, eye contact, and consistent caregiving.
• Love, hugs, and a safe environment are essential to wire the brain for trust and connection.

Will and Authority (18 months–3 years)

• Respect toddlers’ emerging independence while setting firm boundaries.
• Let them try things on their own, even if frustrating, and allow space for tantrums. This builds frustration tolerance and emotional regulation.

Autonomy and Independence (3–5 years)

• Encourage self-help skills like dressing, zipping coats, and managing tasks.
• Let children take risks and experience challenge—don’t over-index on safety.
• Social-emotional learning and confidence emerge from doing, not avoiding struggle.

Confidence and Competence (5–12 years)

• Confidence grows by overcoming hard things—not from trophies or rewards.
• Avoid constant praise and incentives; instead, promote perseverance and self-worth through effort and resilience.

Identity Development (12–18 years)

• A secure sense of self is built on the foundation of earlier stages.
• Without real-world confidence, teens look to social media influencers to tell them who they are.
• This can lead to distorted identity formation and vulnerability to mental health trends online.

Key Insight
Modern parenting often prioritises convenience and safety over challenge and growth. But kids need opportunities to struggle, try, fail, and try again to build the emotional muscles they’ll need for life. “We’re putting 3-year-olds on iPads but not letting them zip up their coats.” 

Extract from: Bartlett, S. Neuroscientist, Professor, author, speaker, educator and host of the Thriving Minds podcast. Adolescence & Authority: What the Netflix Series Gets Right About Our Kids, Nicole Runyon, Psychotherapist, parent coach, Author Free to Fly. [Online] Available at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/episodes/16923238-episode-195-adolescence-authority-what-the-netflix-series-gets-right-about-our-kids-nicole-runyon-psychotherapist-parent-coach-author-free-to-fly. [Accessed 27 June 2025].

I hope this is helpful and provides some food for thought. We in the Pastoral Team are here to support students who make mistakes. While sometimes we have to implement serious consequences, we do so knowing that it is better for students to learn from their mistakes now in their teenage years rather than face more concerning consequences and issues in later life.

Take care, and we look forward to a great Term 3 when we return all refreshed.

Ms Jacqueline Weidman

Assistant Principal Student Wellbeing