by Miss Denise Ryan - Chaplain

We are happy to be back for another fantastic term. This Term we will continue with the Great Library Challenge. The challenge will be designed to have students work in small groups or pairs and complete a series of mini challenges building up to the final challenge in Week 9. This challenge will cover a wide range of topics to engage the students in thinking about their wellbeing and how to support others around them.  This challenge will be launched next week just in time for Catholic Education Week and this will be the first theme of the challenge, as well as our award ceremony for the Paper Plane Competetion.

This week I found an awesome article about how mentors can challenge and motivate teens.  The author Tess,  is a former School Chaplain and Youth Pastor with 15 years of experience in Youth Work. She now serves as SU QLD’s Children and Youth Program Team Leader, delivering training and professional development to Chaplains and Youth Workers.

“Close your eyes for a minute and think back to your teen and young adult years… Who were the important people in your life at the time? Who were the significant adults in your life?

Research tells us that high-quality relationships are crucial to the development of young teens and young adults. However, 40% of young people report feeling lonely (Search Inst. 2017) and possess one or less relationships they would deem significant (Search Inst. 2017). In a hyper-networked world, teens and young adults lack real relationships, and are at a high risk of not having a significant adult in their life to guide them through the unstable landscape of young adulthood.

In short, teens and young adults need mentors. When I think about mentoring young people, I am reminded of this little gem from the Bible:

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says; “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

How does mentoring benefit teens and young adults?

The Search Institute uses the term ‘developmental relationship’ to describe the nature of healthy connection between significant adults (mentors, parents, coaches, teachers, etc.) and young people.

In layman’s terms, a Developmental Relationship is a close connection between a young person and an adult that positively influences the young person to help them thrive.

Express Care. Young people don’t just need to be told they matter; they need to be shown. Think of how you can practically demonstrate to a young person that they are valued.

Challenge Growth. Young people need to be encouraged and pushed to keep getting better. Consider how you can encourage a young person to give their best and keep them accountable.

Provide Support. In order to grow, sometimes we need a little help. How could you assist a young person to complete their tasks and achieve their goals (without taking over)?

Share Power. We all want to feel empowered to make decisions and take action in our lives. How could you treat a young person with respect and give them a say in what is happening around and to them?

Expand Possibilities. I don’t know what I don’t know. Can you connect a young person with people, places and experiences that broadens their horizons?

Consider how the significant figures of your teens addolescence and young adulthood demonstrated these key elements, and how they impacted your life?

As the African proverb says; it takes a village to raise a child. Mentoring matters, not just to avoid loneliness, but to assist teens and young adults to thrive on their journey to adulthood. For the full article please see this link. https://www.suqld.org.au/blog/category/family-space/teens-young-adults/#mentoring-matters-5-keys-to-help-your-teens-thrive

In the September school holidays on the 24^th September, the St Mary’s Parish Youth Group will be attending the Ignite Conference for a day trip for students in grade 7 and up. If your child would like to attend, please let myself know and I can forward more details and information as it is released. This conference is held in Brisbane each year and is hosted by Emmanuel Worship and is designed to help young people network with other students from across the state and to help them on their journeys. There are several workshops that the students can elect to go to that cover topics from school, leadership, faith to social justice etc. There is more information available at the following website.  https://igniteconference.com.au/brisbane

Once again if your child/ren are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact myself and I will be able to help. I am available by email denise.ryan@twb.catholic.edu or by phone as well. 

Have a fantastic week.

Denise