There are many significant milestones in a person’s life, sandwiched between the bookends of birth and death.
The HSC year is certainly one milestone that seems to increase in importance every year. But more frequently, this is an event thatthe student and his/her family share together.
Parents and the HSC
High school in Australia culminates with the HSC, a grading process that generally determines the starting pathway for a great majority of students. It is difficult to under-estimate the importance of parents and the HSC. And for this reason, parents often ask me how can they best support their children through this stressful period. An important word here is stress. And failure to handle stress throughout the year, and in the HSC itself, can be the difference between a successful outcome. And failure in the ultimate school test.
I have always subscribed to the view that children will achieve at the level that they realistically expect to achieve. Parents play a very crucial role in setting a child level of expectation. Your own belief in the innate ability of your child at this time could be the difference between ‘success’ and ‘failure’ in the HSC. You can demonstrate that belief by your continued comments. Thus, you can make the HSC year as normal as possible.
How can parents best support their children through this stressful period?
The HSC year is an important year in many other aspects of a student’s development. Health, good nutrition, social development and regular exercise for a growing adolescent. All contribute to creating a happy and successful student.
In practical terms provide a space for study; (we will talk more on this point next week), develop routines that can be maintained and enhance your overall strategy of support. Unfortunately, not all plans run to schedule and parents should be on the look- out for any undue signs of stress.
There are many support agencies out there depending on the nature and seriousness of the stress. Master Coaching is just one such support agency.
The HSC, it’s important. We believe that every child has within them the power of success. And there is life after the HSC.
See: The Weekender ( Page 66)