abbotts

The Transition Skills Universities Don’t Tell You About

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:00:16 GMT

Graduating from university is celebrated as the gateway to independence and career success. However there are many students who quickly realise that academic achievement alone doesn’t fully prepare them for the realities of adulthood. The move from structured lectures and clear assignments to navigating work, finances and personal decisions can often feel very overwhelming.

This is where transition skills after university become essential. While universities equip students with knowledge and qualifications, many graduates need to develop the everyday competencies required for life after university where they must manage their own time and money as well as make confident decisions in uncertain situations.

Why the Transition from University to Real Life Feels So Difficult

Life in university is very structured. Deadlines are set. Schedules are organised. Expectations are clearly defined. Outside the classroom, however, the rules change dramatically.

In professional life and adulthood, graduates encounter:

· Clear academic deadlines replaced by self-managed responsibilities

· Structured timetables replaced by autonomous time management

· External validation replaced by self-driven progress

· Institutional safety nets replaced by personal accountability

Consider the typical graduate experience: searching for jobs without immediate feedback, navigating workplace expectations or managing rent and living expenses for the first time. These challenges highlight the need for real-world skills for graduates that go beyond academic knowledge.

What Does “Self-Directed” Actually Mean?

Being self-directed means taking responsibility for one’s own progress, decisions and growth. What this involves is cultivating habits and behaviours that allow individuals to navigate complex environments independently.

Key characteristics of self-directed individuals include:

· Personal responsibility for outcomes

· Initiative in pursuing opportunities

· Independent decision-making

· Long-term thinking about goals and consequences

· Commitment to continuous learning

For example, a self-directed graduate might actively seek mentorship in their workplace, pursue additional certifications or reflect on career goals without waiting for external instructions.

Developing this mindset is closely linked to understanding how individuals develop their sense of self within society , which helps young adults navigate responsibilities and relationships beyond the classroom.

6 Essential Transition Skills Universities Rarely Teach: Self-Management and Time Ownership

Without the academic schedules that students are used to, graduates have to create their own systems for productivity.

Key skills include prioritising tasks effectively, planning long-term goals and avoiding procrastination. Learning effective time management strategies early, similar to the practical study planning techniques many high school students are taught to manage their workloads , can help graduates develop disciplined habits that support their careers.

1. Financial Literacy

Many graduates enter adulthood with little preparation for everyday financial responsibilities. Yet financial awareness is central to independence.

Important adulting skills for students include:

· Budgeting monthly expenses

· Understanding debt and credit

· Developing savings habits

· Navigating the cost of living

Families often begin these conversations earlier by helping teenagers understand budgeting, saving and responsible spending habits , which builds confidence long before full financial independence arrives.

2. Decision-Making Without Constant Guidance

In academic environments, instructions are usually clear. In professional life, many decisions must be made independently. Some examples of this include choosing between career opportunities, deciding whether to relocate for work and negotiating responsibilities or salary.

Strong decision-making contributes to professional readiness skills and long-term career growth.

3. Emotional Resilience

Rejection and uncertainty are common in the early stages of a career. Graduates may experience unsuccessful job applications, constructive criticism or the need to adapt to new workplace environments.

Developing resilience can help individuals:

· Handle job rejection constructively

· Manage stress and uncertainty

· Build confidence even when there are setbacks

Emotional resilience is one of the most important soft skills for graduates. It enables them to persist and grow despite facing obstacles.

4. Professional Communication

Workplace communication often differs significantly from the communication styles students experience in academic settings. At university, interactions are typically structured around lectures, assignments and discussions with clear expectations. In professional environments, communication must be more intentional, concise and collaborative.

Graduates need to learn how to write clear and professional emails, contribute meaningfully during meetings and express ideas confidently and respectfully. They must also become comfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback, as well as navigating disagreements in a calm and professional manner. These interactions require emotional awareness, active listening and the ability to adapt communication styles to different colleagues or situations. Developing these habits is essential, as strong communication skills play a key role in building career readiness skills, fostering effective teamwork, and establishing a positive professional reputation.

5. Self-Advocacy

Successful professionals understand the importance of advocating for themselves. This may involve:

· Asking for mentorship or professional guidance

· Negotiating responsibilities or promotions

· Setting boundaries to maintain work-life balance

Self-advocacy ensures that individuals actively shape their career trajectory rather than passively accepting circumstances.

6. Continuous Learning Mindset

Perhaps the most important graduate life skills involve recognising that education doesn’t end with a degree.

Successful professionals continually develop new capabilities through:

· Learning new technologies or industry tools

· Attending workshops or training programmes

· Reading and researching emerging trends

Adapting to change is essential in a rapidly evolving job market as well as in life.

Why Universities Don’t Always Teach These Skills

This gap in preparation is not unique to one institution or country. Several structural factors contribute to the challenge:

· Academic programmes focus heavily on theoretical knowledge

· Curriculum time is limited

· Large student populations make personalised life coaching difficult

· Institutions often assume that practical life skills develop naturally over time

As a result, many students leave university academically prepared but still developing the real-world skills for graduates required for independent adulthood. This gap is one reason why some educators are increasingly exploring different educational approaches that prioritise independence, responsibility and self-directed learning from an early stage.

How Graduates Can Develop These Skills Quickly

Fortunately, these competencies can be developed quickly when approached with intention and consistency. One of the most effective ways to do this is by seeking guidance from mentors in professional environments and practising reflective learning through journaling or feedback.

Graduates can also accelerate their growth by building professional networks, participating in internships or volunteer work, and taking on small side projects or freelance opportunities that provide real-world experience.

Each of these activities helps individuals apply what they have learned in practical settings while developing confidence and independence. By actively taking ownership of their personal and professional development, graduates can ease the transition from student life to the responsibilities of the working world.

The Shift from Student Mindset to Ownership Mindset

One of the biggest adjustments graduates face is psychological.

Student mindset:

· Waiting for instructions

· Measuring success through grades

· Avoiding mistakes

Ownership mindset:

· Taking initiative

· Accepting responsibility for outcomes

· Viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn

This shift is what ultimately supports independence after college and sustainable career growth.

Final Thoughts: Independence Is a Skill You Build

The transition from university to adulthood can feel uncertain. However, it is also an opportunity for growth. Transition skills after university are not something to be mastered overnight. They develop gradually through experience, reflection and persistence.

By developing soft skills, strengthening professional readiness skills and embracing lifelong learning, young adults can build the confidence and capability needed to thrive in the real world.

Independence isn’t something that appears automatically after graduation. It is a skill that grows stronger each time you take responsibility, make decisions and continue learning beyond the classroom.

Navigating Teen Mental Health: Strategies for Students and Parents in South Africa

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:55:02 GMT

Conversations about teen mental health in South Africa has become very important in schools as well as homes. The teenage years are a time of much change and today’s youth face a combination of high academic expectations, social pressures as well as digital influences. All of these together can impact their overall wellbeing. For parents, educators and communities, it is vital to understand how best to support adolescent mental health in order to assist young people in developing resilience, confidence and healthy coping mechanisms.

In this article, we’ll explore common mental health challenges in teenagers, how they show up in daily life and offer some practical ways that families and schools can provide meaningful support.

Why Teen Mental Health Matters More Than Ever

Adolescence is a critical stage of emotional and psychological development. During these years, teenagers are learning academic subjects and also forming their identity, building relationships and developing the skills they’ll need later on in adulthood.

Strong teenage mental wellbeing allows young people to manage stress, navigate social situations and make healthy decisions. However, when emotional struggles go unrecognised or unsupported, they can affect self-esteem, academic performance and long-term wellbeing.

Understanding how identity and confidence develop during adolescence is an important part of supporting young people. Exploring how a teenager’s sense of self develops within society can help parents and educators appreciate the complex emotional changes teens experience as they grow.

Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by South African Teens

Teenagers across South Africa face many different kinds of pressures that can influence their mental wellbeing. These can include:

Academic Pressure

School expectations, exams and future career decisions often create significant school stress and mental health challenges for learners. The pressure to perform academically, particularly during high school years, can lead to anxiety and the fear of failure.

Social Media and Digital Pressure

Digital platforms are known to amplify stress because they create unrealistic comparisons. Teenagers may feel pressured to match the lifestyles, achievements or appearance of others online. This can affect self-esteem and contribute to emotional strain.

Peer Relationships and Social Identity

Friendships, romantic relationships and the need to belong are central to adolescent life. Conflicts, exclusion or bullying can deeply affect a teenager’s emotional wellbeing.

Family and Societal Pressures

Family expectations, financial challenges and societal pressures about success can also be major contributors to mental health challenges. For some teens, balancing these expectations with their own personal goals can feel overwhelming.

Warning Signs Parents and Teachers Should Not Ignore

Being able to recognise the early warning signs is an important step in supporting teen mental health in South Africa. Parents and educators should be aware of behavioural or emotional changes that may indicate a teen is struggling.

Some of the signs to look out for include:

· Sudden withdrawal from activities or friendships

· Persistent sadness or irritability

· Noticeable changes in sleep or eating patterns

· Declining academic performance

· Increased isolation or risk-taking behaviours

If these signs are recognised early, it can make a significant difference. When adults respond with empathy and understanding, teens are more likely to feel safe seeking help.

Practical Strategies for Teens to Support Their Own Mental Health

Teenagers can develop habits that support their own emotional wellbeing and resilience. Some strategies include the following:

Building Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Positive coping strategies help teens manage stress in constructive ways. Examples include journaling, creative expression, exercise and mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation.

Developing Emotional Awareness

Learning to recognise and name emotions can also help teenagers understand their experiences and communicate more effectively with others.

Creating Healthy Daily Routines

Balanced routines are a really good way to reduce stress and improve focus. Simple habits like maintaining regular sleep schedules, limiting excessive screen time and planning study sessions can go a long way in supporting emotional stability. Practical guidance on organising study schedules and managing school responsibilities more effectively can also help teenagers feel more in control of their academic workload.

Reaching Out for Support

Seeking help is a sign of strength. Teens should feel encouraged to speak to trusted adults, teachers, school counsellors or supportive friends when they feel overwhelmed.

How Parents Can Support Their Teen’s Mental Wellbeing

Parents are central in promoting parent support for teenage mental health. Small daily actions can create an environment where teens feel safe, understood and valued.

Create an Environment of Open Communication

Encourage honest conversations without judgement. Let teenagers know that their feelings are valid and that they can talk openly about any challenges that they may be facing.

Listen More Than You Lecture

Active listening is often more powerful than giving advice. By listening carefully and acknowledging emotions, parents can strengthen trust with their children. When a teen trusts an adult, they are more likely to open up about their problems.

Model Healthy Emotional Behaviour

Parents who demonstrate healthy coping strategies such as managing stress constructively or expressing emotions calmly, provide valuable examples for teens.

Encourage Balance and Self-Care

Promote activities that support their wellbeing, including physical exercise, hobbies and social interaction. Parents can also help teenagers build life skills by involving them in everyday responsibilities. This can include things like learning practical money habits and understanding financial responsibility.

The Role of Schools and Communities in Teen Mental Health

Schools and communities also play a vital role in promoting youth mental health awareness and creating supportive environments.

Effective initiatives may include:

· School counselling services

· Peer support groups

· Mental health awareness programmes

· Safe spaces where students can express themselves

Educational environments that prioritise personal growth alongside academic achievement can also contribute to healthier school cultures. Many families are increasingly exploring learning environments that focus on developing the whole student, where emotional wellbeing and independence are just as important as academic success.

When Professional Support May Be Needed

In certain cases, additional support might be necessary. Parents and educators should consider seeking professional guidance when a teenager experiences:

· Persistent anxiety or overwhelming stress

· Severe mood changes

· Difficulty functioning in daily activities

Qualified mental health professionals can provide appropriate assessment and support to help teens navigate these challenges.

Building a Culture of Mental Health Awareness in South Africa

Promoting youth mental health awareness is essential to reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations. Schools, communities as well as families all have a role to play in creating supportive environments where young people can feel safe discussing their struggles.

Initiatives that promote mental health education, student advocacy and community engagement can help strengthen support systems for young people across our country.

Final Thoughts: Supporting Teens Through One of Life’s Most Important Stages

Adolescence is a time of transformation. With the right support systems, teenagers can navigate the challenges and develop the resilience they’ll need to succeed in adulthood.

By prioritising teen mental health, encouraging open conversations and building strong support networks, parents, educators and broader communities can help young people thrive during this very important stage of life. When teenagers feel understood, supported and empowered, they are better equipped to face challenges, pursue their goals and grow into confident, capable adults.

WESSA Awards Ceremony

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:59:56 GMT

ADvTECH SCHOOLS CLAIM TOP HONOURS IN WESSA CENTENARY AWARDS

In a significant recognition of its leadership in sustainable education, ADvTECH - Africa's leading private education provider - has been honoured for exceptional environmental stewardship at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Centenary Awards.

Celebrating a century of inspiring environmental action, education, and advocacy under the motto “People Caring for the Earth”, WESSA acknowledged ADvTECH's deep integration of the Eco-Schools South Africa programme for its unparalleled scale and impact.

“As WESSA marks 100 years of environmental leadership, partnerships like the one we share with ADvTECH remind us why environmental education remains one of the most powerful tools for long-term change,” says WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete.

“When 42 schools within a single education group commit to environmental stewardship, the ripple effect extends far beyond the classroom into homes, communities and ultimately into the future leadership of this country.”

At the awards ceremony on February 27, 37 ADvTECH schools received Silver Awards status, which celebrates two years of WESSA collaboration, and the schools below have shown their lasting dedication by participating in environmental initiatives and raising awareness.

Trinityhouse, Little Falls: Gold status (4 yrs.)
Crawford International School, Sandton: Platinum 2 status (7 yrs.)
Tyger Valley College: Bronze Decade status (12 yrs.)
Pinnacle College, Ridgeview: Green Flag Decade status (13 yrs.)
Pecanwood College: Platinum Decade 2 status (17 yrs.) Additionally, also recognised for submitting the most eco-snippets

All of the ADvTECH participating schools achieved full assessment letters for their submitted portfolios of evidence, with scores ranging from 70% - 98%.

Top achieving schools were:

Crawford International School, La Lucia
Maragon Olympus, Faerie Glen
Crawford International School, Sandton
Crawford International School, Lonehill
Abbots College, Northcliff

Additionally, ADvTECH received a Partnership Award in recognition of its outstanding and unique contribution to environmental stewardship.

“It has been another incredible year working closely with the WESSA champions at our schools, as well as the dedicated WESSA team. Throughout 2025, we witnessed some of the most inspiring and comprehensive portfolios of evidence ever submitted, reflecting not only commitment but also genuine passion for environmental stewardship and sustainability. The quality, creativity, and consistency demonstrated by our champions have set a remarkable standard and continue to inspire positive change within their school communities,” says Krystal Munian, Academic Advisor and WESSA Lead.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to every champion and the school teams for their phenomenal hard work, perseverance, and dedication to advancing the project’s goals. And we are excited about the year ahead and look forward to building on this momentum through new activities, innovative initiatives, collaborative projects, and continued growth across all participating schools.”

The Comparison Trap: How Social Media is Reshaping Academic Anxiety in South African Teens

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:31:40 GMT

For most of today’s teenagers, school life doesn’t end when the final bell rings. It carries on online through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and WhatsApp group chats. Teens talk about marks, tests and rankings. While these digital platforms connect learners, they have also intensified academic anxiety among South African teens.

The comparison trap teenagers experience online is about how students are constantly measuring themselves against curated versions of other people’s achievements. In a country where academic success is often tied to future opportunity, this can create overwhelming pressure for teenagers. When parents, teens and educators understand how social media influences learning confidence, they are better prepared to support the digital wellbeing for South African youth.

Social Media and the Rise of Academic Perfectionism

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are filled with highlight reels of colour-coded notes, late-night study sessions, acceptance letters and a “day in the life” productivity videos. While these posts can be motivating for young people, they can also create unrealistic expectations.

This is where Instagram and school stress become closely linked. Teens might start to feel like they are always behind, not working hard enough or perhaps not performing at the same level as their peers. Over time, this academic pressure from social media can make success look constant and effortless, even though reality is a very different story.

Psychological Impact of Constant Comparison

Social media platforms are created to reward engagement. Every like, comment or share triggers dopamine. This reinforces the need for validation. For teens, whose brains are still developing, this can easily tie self-worth to digital approval.

When academic achievements become part of this cycle, the impact of social media use on mental health can be significant. Many teens report:

Increased anxiety about performance
Fear of missing out (FOMO) on opportunities
Low self-esteem when comparing marks or achievements
Emotional exhaustion from trying to “keep up” with their peers

These effects can contribute to burnout, disengagement and a loss of motivation.

The South African Academic Landscape Online

South African learners face unique pressures that can intensify digital comparison and contribute to academic stress. The high-stakes nature of Matric exams creates a performance-driven culture where results are often seen as life-defining. At the same time, public comparisons between private and public school results can make students feel constantly evaluated beyond their own classrooms.

Social media further amplifies this through the visibility of “hustle culture,” academic achievement posts and scholarship success stories. These can make progress appear faster or easier than it really is. Added to all of this are strong family and community expectations linked to academic performance. This can place additional emotional weight on learners who are already navigating a very competitive and highly visible academic environment.

When these pressures move online, teens may feel like they are being evaluated constantly, not just by teachers, but by their peers as well as strangers.

For parents wanting to better understand how performance stress affects teens, guidance on supporting learners when report results trigger anxiety can provide helpful context and conversation starters.

Signs of Social Media-Induced Academic Anxiety

Parents and educators should look for warning signs. These can include:

Withdrawal from schoolwork or friendships
Obsessive focus on study aesthetics or productivity trends
Sleep disruption from late-night scrolling
Irritability or emotional shutdown
Constant checking of classmates’ results or achievements

In more serious cases, emotional distress can begin to affect school attendance or motivation . Understanding how emotional challenges sometimes show up through avoidance of school can help families recognise when extra support may be needed.

Setting Healthy Digital Boundaries

Creating boundaries is a good way to help teens regain control of their digital habits.

Encourage them to take regular digital detox periods and use screen time tracking tools to help. They can unfollow or mute accounts that trigger their stress, question whether content is realistic or curated and learn to replace passive scrolling with intentional online learning.

Families can also benefit from practical strategies for balancing technology use with school responsibilities , especially during exam periods when stress is already high.

Building Offline Confidence and Resilience

Resilience grows when teens build their identity outside of marks and social media. Healthy confidence-building activities include:

Joining sports or creative clubs
Volunteering or community involvement
Journaling or mindfulness practice
Celebrating effort and improvement, not just results

When teens are empowered to develop a sense of self that goes beyond academic outcomes, social media comparison begins to lose its power.

The Role of Parents and Schools

Adults play a crucial role in shaping how teens interpret social media. Parents and educators can:

Model balanced technology use
Talk openly about online comparison culture
Reinforce that success is not linear
Integrate digital wellbeing into Life Orientation programmes
Encourage healthy routines around sleep, study, and downtime

Practical Step-by-Step Tips for Parents

Step 1: Start non-judgemental conversations about social media. Ask teens how online content makes them feel.

Step 2: Focus on emotional wellbeing, not just performance. Celebrate their efforts, resilience and personal growth.

Step 3: Help teens curate their feeds. Encourage them to follow accounts that educate or inspire them rather than compare.

Step 4: Set shared digital boundaries by creating family phone-free times or spaces.

Step 5: Seek support early if anxiety increases. Early support prevents long-term stress patterns.

Final Thoughts

Social media is not inherently harmful but without boundaries, it can distort how teens see themselves and their academic journey. Academic anxiety grows when success is measured against someone else’s filtered reality.

South African teens deserve the space to learn, grow and succeed at their own pace. By promoting digital wellbeing for South African youth, encouraging real-world confidence and having safe conversations about pressure, families and schools can help young people navigate both their academic journey and their digital world with resilience and self-belief.

After all, true success isn’t defined by someone else’s feed; it’s built through persistence, growth and self-trust.

Digital Natives in Crisis: Helping Gen Z Find Real-World Skills in a Screen-Dominated World

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:31:00 GMT

Generation Z is the first generation to grow up in a world that is fully immersed in digital technology. From social media and smartphones to streaming and AI-powered tools, technology has shaped the way they learn, how they communicate and how they experience the world. While being digitally fluent is a strength, there is also a growing concern about helping Gen Z build real-world skills that are essential for independence, relationships and long-term career success.

The aim isn’t to completely remove technology from their lives. Instead, it’s about creating a balance by ensuring that digital confidence is paired with strong offline capabilities.

What Makes Gen Z Different?

Gen Z is often described as true digital natives. This generation of children are very comfortable navigating online spaces, consuming information quickly and communicating with one another through digital platforms. However, constant exposure to technology has also influenced attention spans, communication habits and problem-solving approaches.

Many teens today have instant access to answers. This can reduce opportunities to practise trial-and-error learning. Combined with heavy screen time and Gen Z lifestyle patterns, this can shape how they approach real-world challenges.

The Real-World Skills Gen Z Is Losing

Experts are increasingly discussing concerns about these digital natives lacking life skills, particularly in areas that require face-to-face interaction or hands-on experience.

Key skill gaps include:

Interpersonal communication and reading social cues
Time management and sustained focus
Critical thinking and independent decision-making
Conflict resolution without digital mediation
Physical-world problem-solving like budgeting, cooking, or basic repairs

These are core soft skills for Gen Z and they directly influence confidence, independence and Gen Z workforce readiness.

The Impact of Screen Overuse on Skill Development

Using screens and technology excessively can affect behaviour and skill development. Some common impacts include:

· Reduced in-person social interaction

· Over-reliance on digital tools for navigation, planning, and memory

· Increased overstimulation and difficulty focusing

· Higher likelihood of comparison-driven anxiety through social media

For these reasons (and others), many families are encouraging a digital detox for teens. This isn’t a form of punishment, but rather it’s an opportunity for teens to experience a reset. This can help young people reconnect with real-world experiences and learn as they go.

Teaching Real-Life Skills at Home

Naturally, parents play a critical role in developing real-world competence. Some practical step-by-step tips for parents include:

Step 1: Assign meaningful responsibilities

Give teens chores that will help them build life skills. This can include grocery planning or basic maintenance in the home.

Step 2: Teach financial literacy early

Involve teens in budgeting, saving and spending decisions. Practical resources on how to guide teens through money management in everyday life can help families start these conversations naturally.

Step 3: Encourage offline family time

Create phone-free meals, outings or activities that encourage real conversation and participation.

Step 4: Involve teens in life planning

Let them help plan trips, manage schedules or organise family events.

Step 5: Model behaviour

Demonstrate emotional regulation, delayed gratification and self-discipline.

Parents can also support teens with structure using practical guidance similar to these time management strategies designed for high school learners and by helping them balance digital and real-world commitments.

How Schools Can Reinforce Practical Learning

Schools can also play an equally important role in helping Gen Z build real-world skills by integrating practical experiences into learning. Effective approaches include:

Life orientation modules focused on real-world decision-making
Public speaking and teamwork projects
Project-based learning tied to real-life scenarios
Time management workshops
Volunteering and community engagement programmes

Understanding how different learning environments prioritise independence and self-development can help families explore educational models that nurture holistic growth, including environments that focus on developing the whole student rather than just academic performance.

Empowering Gen Z to Self-Develop Offline Skills

Gen Z’s can also take ownership of building their own real-world confidence. Simple starting points include:

Journaling to build emotional awareness
Reading physical books to improve focus
Learning basic cooking or home skills
Practising face-to-face conversations
Joining clubs, sports, or creative groups
Taking on part-time work or volunteering

Exploring identity, community and personal development is critical during adolescence. Understanding how young people develop their sense of self within society can help guide this journey.

Technology Can Be Part of the Solution Too

Technology doesn’t have to be the enemy. When it is used with intention, it can support offline development. Helpful digital tools include:

Habit tracker apps that reinforce routine building (Habitica, Habitify, Streaks)
Financial literacy games (Greenlight, MoneyTime, Bankaroo)
Career simulation platforms (Forage, Gamelearn, The Stock Market Game)
Focus and mindfulness apps (Forest, Headspace, Fabulous)

The key is to use these apps intentionally. By using technology as a tool rather than a replacement for real-world experience, young people can develop the balance required to succeed online and offline.

Final Thoughts

Gen Z does not need to abandon technology. However, they do need balance. The future workplace and society require emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication as well as practical problem-solving. By focusing on helping Gen Z build real-world skills, families and schools can ensure that young people are prepared not only for their exams and careers, but also for life itself.

When digital confidence is paired with strong real-world capability, Gen Z is uniquely positioned to thrive in this ever-changing world. The goal is not to reduce their technological advantage but to strengthen it with the human skills that technology can never replace.

The Hidden Cost of Academic Pressure: How South African High Schoolers Can Avoid Burnout

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:20:22 GMT

Academic success in South Africa is often seen as the primary entry to future opportunities. From a very early age, learners are taught that top marks, especially when it comes to Matric, determine access to universities, bursaries and career prospects. While ambition can be healthy, the reality is that academic pressure has become one of the most significant threats to mental wellbeing for teens today.

As expectations rise, many high school students are experiencing chronic stress, emotional exhaustion and disengagement from learning. In this article, we’ll explore how education pressure in South Africa can affect teenagers and we’ll offer practical, evidence-based strategies for preventing and managing burnout.

Understanding Academic Pressure in South Africa

Academic pressure is the stress students feel to meet high expectations. This pressure can come from schools, families, peers and themselves. In South Africa, this is intensified by:

The high-stakes nature of Matric exams
Limited university placements and bursaries
Socio-economic challenges and inequality
Fear of disappointing parents or caregivers
Constant comparison through social media

For many learners, school becomes less about learning and more about survival as they must manage marks, deadlines and performance anxiety. Over time, this can seriously affect student mental health in South Africa.

What Is Burnout and Why It Matters

Burnout is not the same as temporary stress before a test. It develops when pressure is constant, prolonged and recovery is insufficient. In adolescents, burnout typically includes:

Mental and emotional exhaustion
Loss of motivation or interest in school
Feeling disconnected or “numb”
Physical fatigue and recurring illness

Unlike short-term stress, burnout affects how students think, feel and ultimately function. It undermines learning, confidence and long-term wellbeing, making school burnout prevention a critical issue.

Signs Your Teen Might Be Burned Out

Parents and educators should watch out for the following matric stress symptoms:

Irritability or emotional outbursts
Withdrawal from family or friends
Sudden drop in academic performance
Persistent headaches or stomach aches
Sleep disturbances
Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
Feeling “overwhelmed” or hopeless

These signs often appear gradually and are easily mistaken for laziness or attitude problems, when in reality, they signal overload.

Root Causes of Burnout in South African Schools

Burnout is not only an individual problem, it’s systemic. Key contributors include:

Curriculum intensity: heavy workloads and exam-driven teaching
Family expectations: pressure to “succeed at all costs”
Peer competition: fear of falling behind classmates
Limited emotional support: many schools lack adequate counselling services
Resource inequality: some learners face additional stress from poor facilities or transport challenges

Together, these factors create an environment where students are constantly performing but rarely recovering.

Practical Strategies to Prevent and Manage Burnout

Burnout is preventable when it is addressed early. The following strategies are widely supported by educational psychology and youth wellbeing research.

1. Improve Time Management

Poor time management is one of the biggest drivers of stress. Parents can help teens by introducing realistic planning routines using resources like these practical time management tips for high school students .

Encourage teens to:

Break tasks into smaller steps
Use weekly planners
Schedule regular breaks
Avoid last-minute cramming

2. Encourage Balance Through Extracurricular Activities

Sport, music, art and social activities reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. These are not distractions; they are protective factors for mental wellbeing for teens.

3. Normalise Help-Seeking

Teens should know that asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Schools, parents and caregivers can guide students to school counsellors, trusted teachers or mental health organisations.

Parents can also explore supportive approaches on helping teens prepare for exams without pressure .

4. Prioritise Sleep and Recovery

Sleep is one of the most effective burnout prevention tools. Chronic sleep deprivation increases anxiety, memory problems and emotional instability. Encourage teens to embrace regular sleep routines, put screens away before bedtime and enjoy downtime without academic tasks.

5. Introduce Mindfulness and Stress-Management Tools

Simple techniques like breathing exercises, journaling or mindfulness apps can significantly reduce stress levels. These help students regulate emotions and stay present.

The Role of Parents, Teachers, and Schools

Adults play a powerful role in shaping how teens experience academic pressure. Supportive environments should promote realistic expectations and focus on effort and growth, not just results. Creating safe spaces for honest conversations is helpful, while taking note of early warning signs and referring to professionals when needed ensures that issues are addressed before they escalate.

In some cases, persistent burnout may signal that the current school environment is not the right fit. Families may benefit from exploring whether a change in school could reduce stress and better support the learner’s needs, as discussed in this guide to knowing when to consider other schooling options.

Where to Find Help in South Africa

If a student is struggling, professional support can make a major difference. Helpful resources include:

SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group)
Local school counselling services
Private psychologists
Community clinics and NGOs
Youth helplines

These services provide guidance, referrals and crisis support for both teens and parents.

Rethinking School Structures and Learning Environments

Some learners thrive in traditional systems, while others benefit from more flexible, supportive educational models. Exploring alternative learning schools can offer insights into environments that prioritise emotional wellbeing, self-paced learning and reduced performance pressure. Understanding what an alternative learning school offers helps parents see how different approaches can protect mental health while still supporting academic growth.

Practical Step-by-Step Tips for Parents

Parents can actively reduce burnout risk by:

Checking in regularly about emotional wellbeing, not just marks
Listening without judgement when teens express stress
Avoiding comparison with siblings or peers
Encouraging rest and play as much as productivity
Modelling healthy work habits themselves
Seeking support early rather than waiting for crisis

Final Thoughts

Academic success should never come at the cost of health. While academic pressure is a reality in South Africa, burnout is not inevitable. When students feel supported, heard and balanced, they are more likely to perform well — not because they are forced to, but because they are emotionally and mentally capable of learning.

The future of education lies not in pushing teens harder, but in supporting them better. Real success is not just measured in results, it’s reflected in resilience, wellbeing and a lifelong relationship with learning.

Beyond the Bachelor's Degree: Alternative Pathways for South African Matric Students in 2026

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:09:08 GMT

For decades, a university degree has been positioned as the next step after finishing Matric. But in 2026, South African students and families are increasingly realising that success doesn’t always come from one single route. The world of work has changed over the years and so have the education pathways.

Today, alternatives to university for South African students are more diverse, accessible and career-focused than ever before. From vocational training to online learning, entrepreneurship and international programmes, Matric graduates now have real choices that align with different ambitions, budgets and learning styles.

Why Students Are Exploring Alternatives to University

Many students are choosing not to pursue traditional degrees for valid and practical reasons:

Rising tuition fees and student debt
Overcrowded universities and limited placement
Mismatch between academic study and career goals
Desire for faster entry into the job market
Preference for hands-on or self-directed learning

For some learners, the issue isn’t ability; it’s fit. Education works best when it aligns with personal strengths, interests and long-term goals. That’s why understanding post-Matric options South Africa 2026 is more important than ever.

Vocational and Technical Training Options

One of the most effective routes after is vocational training after high school. These programmes focus on practical, in-demand skills and often lead directly to employment.

Popular options include:

TVET colleges (public and private)
Artisan and trade training (electricians, plumbers, mechanics)
·Hospitality and culinary schools
SETA-accredited industry programmes

These pathways are especially valuable in sectors facing skills shortages, where qualified technicians often earn competitive salaries without a degree.

Online Learning and Short Courses

Another growing option is online learning in South Africa, which allows students to gain industry-relevant skills without committing to long-term study.

Popular platforms such as Coursera and Udemy offer certificates in:

Coding and software development
Graphic design and UX
Digital marketing
Project management and data analysis

Benefits include:

Lower cost than traditional degrees
Flexible schedules
Self-paced learning
Internationally recognised certificates

For motivated learners, short courses can lead directly to freelance work, remote employment or entry-level roles.

Entrepreneurship and Starting a Business

For independent thinkers, entrepreneurship for youth offers an exciting alternative. Many young South Africans are building careers through small businesses, online services or digital platforms.

Examples include:

E-commerce stores
Social media agencies
Tutoring services
Content creation
Tech startups

Support structures include:

NYDA funding and grants
Business incubators
Youth entrepreneurship hubs
Online business training

Entrepreneurship builds resilience, creativity and real-world experience — skills that are increasingly valued in the modern economy.

Internships, Learnerships, and Apprenticeships

Internships, learnerships and apprenticeships combine work experience with training and are ideal for students who learn best by doing.

Opportunities include:

Paid learnerships through SETAs
YES Youth employment programmes
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
SAYouth.mobi placements

The benefits are vast. You can:

Earn while you learn
Develop professional networks
Gain industry-specific skills
Improve employability

These are some of the most practical skills development programmes South Africa currently offers.

Gap Years with Purpose

A gap year doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. When used intentionally, it can be one of the most valuable years of a student’s life. Some productive gap year ideas include volunteering locally or abroad, internships or part-time work, online learning and certifications, travel combined with skill-building as well as community projects or NGOs.

This period helps students develop maturity, confidence and clarity about future goals. It is especially useful for those students who are late bloomers.

Studying Abroad or International Programmes

For some South African students, studying abroad or enrolling in international programmes offers valuable exposure to different education systems, cultures and career opportunities. Options may include community colleges in countries like the UK, Australia, Canada or Europe, international foundation programmes or short-term exchange opportunities. These pathways can be particularly appealing for students seeking globally recognised qualifications, smaller class sizes or specialised fields of study. While this route requires careful planning around visas, accreditation and living costs, it can provide long-term benefits such as international networks, cultural adaptability and enhanced employability in both local and global job markets.

How to Choose the Right Path

There isn’t a ‘best’ option when it comes to choosing the right path. There is only the best option for your child.

To help your child make the right choice, here are some practical step-by-step tips:

· Start with self-awareness: Discuss your child’s interests, strengths and frustrations at school.

· Explore multiple pathways: Don’t compare only universities — include vocational, online, and work-based options.

· Assess budget realistically: Consider fees, travel, accommodation and return on investment.

· Look at long-term outcomes: Focus on employability, growth potential and lifestyle fit.

· Avoid pressure-based decisions: Career paths are no longer linear. In today’s world, adaptability matters more than prestige.

Parents can also support students by strengthening academic foundations while they’re still in high school.

The Advantage of an Alternative Schooling Background

Students from flexible learning environments are often better prepared for non-traditional routes. At Abbotts, learners develop independence, responsibility and self-directed learning. These skills are all essential for alternative pathways.

Understanding what an alternative learning school is , helps families see why Abbotts graduates adapt well to diverse post-Matric options.

Importantly, students who matriculate at Abbotts High School could also receive preferred access to ADvTECH Tertiary Institutions. While there are terms and conditions to this, it can provide students with additional opportunities across respected private higher education providers.

Final Thoughts

It is important to remember that not going to university is no longer a failure. It’s often a strategic choice. The future of work values adaptability, digital fluency, emotional intelligence and real-world experience far more than one specific qualification.

The rise of alternatives to university for South African students means Matric is no longer a narrow gateway, but rather a launchpad. Whether through vocational training, online learning, entrepreneurship or international programmes, there are many legitimate roads to success.

In 2026 and beyond, the most powerful advantage is not a degree. It’s the ability to keep learning, keep adapting and build a career that fits who you truly are.

How Uniforms Stifle Individuality in School

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:19:10 GMT

School uniforms have been a defining feature of education systems around the world for years. They’re seen as equalisers and were implemented to erase visible differences between students as well as promote unity and discipline. But as the conversation around individuality vs conformity continues to evolve, more educators and parents are beginning to ask if uniforms really serve students or if they suppress them?

At Abbotts College, we’ve learned that real growth comes from freedom, the freedom to think differently, act boldly and express who you are. That’s why re-examining how uniforms stifle individuality in school and what a more progressive approach can offer students of today.

The Origins and Purpose of School Uniforms

School uniforms were introduced centuries ago. Originally, they were used as a tool for creating order and equality. By dressing everyone in the same way, schools hoped to reduce distractions, encourage discipline and prevent social competition based on clothing.

While this approach has its merits, it also reinforces a system of conformity. Uniforms are meant to represent unity, however they can unintentionally blur individuality, which is the very quality that defines each student’s potential. Over time, many learners come to associate education with rules, restrictions and sameness rather than exploration and creativity.

As society evolves, it is important for our education systems to evolve too. The question now isn’t just whether uniforms make schools look neat, it’s whether they truly support the holistic development of young minds.

The Psychological Impact of Uniforms on Student Identity

There is a powerful link between dress and identity. Studies in educational psychology suggest that the ability to choose what to wear is a form of self-expression in schools that contributes to confidence, self-esteem and belonging.

On the other side of the scale, strict dress codes can lead students to feel controlled or overlooked. When individuality is suppressed, students may find subtle ways to rebel like rolling up sleeves, adjusting hemlines or expressing themselves through accessories or hairstyles. These small acts reveal something deeper, which is the natural human need to be seen as unique.

When we remove this opportunity, we risk stifling more than just style, we limit personality, voice and student creativity. All of this is important in developing innovative thinkers and confident leaders.

The Link Between Individuality and Student Development

Education isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about forming an identity too. Allowing students to express themselves helps them understand who they are, how they fit in and how they relate to others.

A school environment that embraces diversity in dress often fosters openness, empathy and confidence. When students are free to make choices like their daily attire, they learn responsibility and self-respect. This autonomy translates directly into academic motivation and emotional growth.

At Abbotts College, this is at the heart of what we do. We believe that individuality is not a distraction from learning; it’s the foundation for it. That’s why we’ve created an alternative learning school model that focuses on personal accountability, academic improvement, and respect for self and others.

Learn more about what we offer at Abbotts College.

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

As with most things in life, there are pros and cons of school uniforms.

On the positive side, school uniforms can:

- Reduce peer pressure
- Save time in the mornings
- Establish a sense of equality
- Enhance safety
- Make it easier to identify students.

However, there are also significant drawbacks. Uniforms can:

- Suppress individuality
- Restrict creativity
- Contribute to disengagement among students who feel misunderstood or constrained.

Research from the Journal of Educational Research (1998) found that wearing uniforms had no measurable impact on student performance or behaviour. This challenges the long-held belief that conformity equals success.

When weighed carefully, it becomes clear that while uniforms might make students look the same, they don’t necessarily help them learn the same, or better.

South African Schools Without Uniforms

In South Africa, there are a number of institutions that are rethinking traditional dress codes. Abbotts College is proud to be among the schools pioneering non-uniform education, where individuality is celebrated rather than controlled.

At our school, students are encouraged to make choices. These choices are not only about what they wear but about how they learn and engage with the world. Their hairstyle, fashion sense or choice of shoes is not their education; it’s an extension of who they are. By removing unnecessary barriers to self-expression, Abbotts creates a learning environment that’s more authentic, inclusive and empowering.

For parents who are looking into alternative schools that put individuality at the centre of learning, Abbotts offers a refreshing change from the conventional education model.

Balancing Uniformity and Expression in Modern Education

Of course, not every school is ready to remove uniforms entirely, and that’s okay. What matters most is balance. Schools can begin by implementing flexible dress codes, introducing “dress-down” days or allowing students to have a voice in designing their uniforms.

The goal isn’t to discard tradition, but to evolve it, creating spaces that encourage respect, responsibility and student creativity alongside structure and discipline.

For families considering changing schools , it’s worth exploring environments that prioritise self-expression and growth over conformity.

Rethinking School Uniforms in South Africa

As we rethink how uniforms stifle individuality in school, one truth becomes clear: education should empower and not restrict. The freedom to express who you are through clothing, ideas, and actions builds the confidence and creativity needed for students to thrive beyond the classroom.

Schools like Abbotts College demonstrate that when students are trusted with choice, they rise to the occasion. They show pride in how they look and in how they learn, think and contribute to the world around them.

After all, individuality isn’t the opposite of unity; it’s the reason it exists. When every student is allowed to be themselves, education becomes exactly what it should be: a space where potential has no dress code.

Freedom with Structure: Giving Teens the Space to Learn, Grow and Thrive

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:24:34 GMT

Teenagers are at a stage in life where independence and self-discovery are central. But without guidance, freedom can become risky. On the other hand, over-control can stifle growth. The concept of freedom with structure for teens offers a balanced approach that empowers adolescents while ensuring they remain safe, supported and resilient.

Parents, carers and educators can foster healthy adolescent development through carefully calibrated independence, practical boundaries and open communication.

Understanding the Teenage Brain and Development

This is a good place to begin, as the teenage years are a time of profound change. Neurologically, the brain is rewiring, particularly in areas associated with decision-making, emotional regulation and risk assessment. Socially and emotionally, teens are forming identities, testing limits and seeking autonomy.

This stage of development means that adolescents naturally push boundaries and experiment with independence. Understanding these changes helps parents and educators create an environment that balances freedom and structure, supporting both emotional growth in teenagers and academic progress.

Why Teens Need Both Freedom and Structure

When teenagers are given too much freedom, it can lead to risky choices, poor time management or social conflicts. Adversely, too much control can result in rebellion, low self-esteem or anxiety. Research shows that structured freedom , which is giving teens autonomy within clear boundaries, fosters the following:

Stronger teen decision-making skills
Enhanced teen resilience
Trust between teens and caregivers
Greater motivation and responsibility

Providing both independence and limits equips adolescents to explore safely, develop confidence and prepare for adult life.

The Role of Parents and Guardians in Creating Balance

Parents play a pivotal role in offering guidance while letting teens take ownership of their choices. Here are some actionable ways to implement setting boundaries for teens :

Offer choices within limits: Allow teens to decide on homework order, weekend activities or clothing, but within set boundaries.
Set clear expectations: Establish curfews, screen-time limits and study routines that are consistent and fair.
Assign responsibilities: Give chores, part-time jobs or school projects that foster accountability.
Model healthy behaviour: Demonstrate how to manage time, regulate emotions and handle setbacks.

For more guidance, explore our advice on fostering teen independence .

Building Trust and Communication

Open, respectful dialogue is key to strengthening relationships and ensuring teens feel heard. Parents can encourage communication by:

Involving teens in rule-making and household decisions
Discussing consequences openly instead of imposing arbitrary punishment
Encouraging reflection on decisions and their impact
Scheduling regular check-ins to discuss school, friendships and emotions

By treating adolescents as partners rather than subjects, caregivers cultivate trust, reduce conflict and are able to guide healthy decision-making.

Strategies for Structured Freedom at Home and School

Practical strategies help teens exercise autonomy while remaining accountable:

Flexible routines: Balance structure with space for exploration and personal projects.
Encourage self-regulation: Help teens set their own study schedules, exercise plans and social time.
Natural consequences: Allow teens to experience the results of their decisions in a safe environment.
Goal-setting: Involve teens in creating academic or personal goals and monitor progress together.
School collaboration: Teachers can offer project-based learning, leadership roles and self-directed study periods that reinforce independence.

These strategies promote both healthy discipline and empowerment, which results in nurturing well-rounded development.

Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them

Teens may resist rules, test boundaries or react emotionally. Parents can address these challenges without swinging to extremes of permissiveness or authoritarianism:

Rule resistance: Maintain consistency but allow negotiation where appropriate
Peer pressure: Discuss scenarios openly and role-play assertive decision-making
Emotional outbursts: Stay calm, validate feelings and help teens reflect on the things that trigger them
Academic lapses: Offer guidance without micromanaging; focus on learning from mistakes and not only on the mistakes

Navigating these challenges builds skills in conflict resolution, patience as well as critical thinking which are all critical for lifelong success.

Long-term Benefits of Balanced Independence

The benefits of freedom with structure for teens extend far beyond adolescence:

Greater self-confidence and self-efficacy
Improved emotional growth in teenagers
Stronger interpersonal skills and empathy
Enhanced resilience in facing challenges
Better teen decision-making and problem-solving abilities

When teens are guided and not controlled, parents and educators prepare adolescents for adulthood as competent, responsible and adaptive individuals.

Final Thoughts: Letting Go Without Losing Connection

The teenage years are a delicate balance between holding on and letting go. Offering freedom with structure for teens is not about relinquishing responsibility. It is about empowering adolescents to navigate life with confidence and accountability.

By combining clear boundaries with thoughtful autonomy, parents, carers and educators foster an environment where teens can explore their identity, make meaningful choices and develop the resilience they need to thrive.

For more support on navigating this stage, learn about challenges during the teenage years and how to be supportive.

Why Traditional School Isn’t Working for Every Student

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:17:52 GMT

Many families in South Africa and across the world are beginning to question why traditional school isn’t working for every student. While the conventional education system has shaped generations of learners, it’s becoming clear that this one-size-fits-all model doesn’t always meet the needs of a diverse, modern student population.

The classrooms of today are filled with many unique minds, from creative thinkers and analytical problem-solvers to neurodivergent learners and students with varying emotional and social needs. Despite their obvious differences, many of them are expected to learn the same way, at the same pace and be assessed by the same metrics. It’s time for a change, a change that puts individuality, inclusion and relevance at the centre of learning.

1.The One-Size-Fits-All Approach of Traditional Schooling

The traditional schooling model is built around uniformity. From standardised curriculums to age-based grade systems and rigid schedules, the goal has always been to teach the masses efficiently, however not necessarily effectively.

This model assumes that all students learn in the same way. Today, we now know that’s not true. Some students thrive in structured environments, while others need movement, discussion or hands-on exploration to stay engaged. When education is not adaptable, students who don’t fit the average mould often fall through the cracks.

These systemic education problems highlight the urgent need for education reform that embraces learning diversity and acknowledges that every child has their own way of thinking, processing and demonstrating understanding.

2. Impact on Neurodivergent and Non-Traditional Learners

Students with conditions like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder or Anxiety often find conventional schooling environments challenging. These neurodivergent students may struggle with overstimulation, rigid classroom expectations or teaching methods that don’t accommodate their unique cognitive styles.

In the same way, highly creative or non-traditional learners like those who think visually, conceptually or intuitively, might feel undervalued in systems that prioritise memorisation over imagination.

At Abbotts College, we understand that there’s no single path to success. Our alternative schools model provides space for all learners to excel in their own way. We promote student-centred learning , where teaching is adapted to suit the individual rather than forcing the individual to adapt to the system.

3. Mental Health and Pressure in Modern Education

In recent years, mental health among students has become a growing concern and the structure of traditional schooling is partly to blame. The emphasis on performance, ranking and comparison often exacerbates anxiety, self-doubt and burnout.

Students internalise the message that their worth is directly related to grades or exam scores, leading to disengagement or avoidance. This emotional toll affects not only learning outcomes but also long-term wellbeing.

Creating emotionally safe learning environments that encourage openness, self-awareness and resilience is essential to any meaningful education reform . At Abbotts College, mental wellbeing is integrated into the school experience through open communication, mentorship and flexible learning pathways that reduce any unnecessary pressure.

4. Outdated Teaching Methods and Curricula

Another element that explains why traditional school isn’t working lies in the methods and content that is being taught. Many schools still rely on passive lecture-based teaching where students are expected to absorb information and remember it, rather than engage with it.

As we live in a world that’s driven by technology, innovation and global collaboration, students need real-world skills like problem-solving, communication, adaptability and creativity. Despite the importance of these skills, they are often sidelined in favour of rote learning and textbook-driven lessons.

Education should be dynamic and evolve with the times. What we offer at Abbotts College focuses on relevant, future-facing learning that equips students with both knowledge and the confidence to use it.

5. The Role of Standardised Testing in Student Disengagement

Standardised testing remains one of the most debated aspects of modern education. While it provides measurable data, it often fails to capture a student’s full potential. Tests primarily assess short-term memory and linguistic or mathematical ability, sidelining emotional intelligence, collaboration as well as creativity.

Students who don’t perform well in test environments may feel less intelligent, despite having strong talents in other areas such as design, music, problem-solving or social leadership. Over time, this can lead to disengagement and a loss of motivation.

To create more inclusive education , we must move towards multiple forms of assessment such as portfolios, projects, peer evaluations and teacher feedback. These types of assessments are better at reflecting each student’s unique strengths and growth journey.

Alternatives to Traditional Schooling

As awareness grows around systemic education problems, more and more families are exploring alternative schools that offer flexible, individualised and holistic learning experiences.

Abbotts College is a leading example of this change. We believe that education should empower students and not restrict them. Our student-centred learning model gives students responsibility for their own progress, while teachers act as mentors who are there to guide them rather than dictate.

For families who are considering a transition to a more adaptive learning environment, here are some tips:

Observe your child closely: Identify signs of disengagement such as anxiety before school, frequent frustration with homework or loss of curiosity.
Have open conversations: Talk to your child about what they enjoy or struggle with in their current school environment.
Research options: Explore alternative schools that prioritise self-paced, inclusive education.
Visit schools: Attend open days or schedule visits to understand the atmosphere, teaching style and student support systems.
Plan the transition: If you’re considering changing schools , speak to admissions teams about how to make the move smooth academically and emotionally.
Stay involved: Partner with teachers to ensure that your child feels supported during and after the transition.

By following these small steps, parents can make a big difference in helping students rediscover their love of learning.

Final Thoughts: Reimagining Education for the Future

The truth is simple: the conventional education model wasn’t designed for the diversity of today’s learners. Recognising why traditional school isn’t working is the first step toward transformation.

To prepare students for an unpredictable future, education must evolve, embracing inclusive education, flexible pathways and emotional intelligence alongside academics. Schools like Abbotts College are proving that when learners are seen, heard and valued as individuals, they not only achieve academically but thrive personally.

Reimagining education isn’t about abandoning tradition. It’s about expanding it to include everyone. When learning reflects the richness of human diversity, every student is given the chance to succeed in their own way.

Changing Schools: When to Start Looking at Other Options

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:16:19 GMT

Is your child thriving? Or are you beginning to ask, “Is this school the right fit?”

It has become increasingly common for families to change schools to ones that better support their children’s academic, social and emotional development. However, this isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. At Abbotts College, we recognise that choosing to move your child is a major step. For this reason, we aim to thoughtfully guide parents through the process.

In this article, we will explore the key signs that a change may be necessary, how to evaluate your options, practical timing considerations as well as tips for a smooth school transition.

Why Families Consider Changing Schools

There are many valid reasons as to why families may consider changing schools. Some of these reasons include:

Relocation or emigration
Desire for a higher quality of education
Smaller class sizes or more personalised attention
School environment and culture
Concerns about bullying or peer influence
Access to specialised support for academic or social needs

While these reasons are important, not all motivations are equally strong. Parents should carefully distinguish between concerns rooted in genuine student needs and those based on convenience, preference or frustrations that are temporary.

When Not to Make a Move (Or When to Pause and Reflect)

Some reasons for switching schools are unwise. Some examples include:

Disliking a particular teacher
Not getting into a preferred class
Missing out on a sports team or activity
Concerns about the “wrong crowd”

Before making a decision, it’s crucial to discuss concerns with teachers, school counsellors and administrators. Many challenges can easily be addressed through dialogue, adjustments in learning support or emotional coaching, which makes changing schools unnecessary.

Key Signs That the Current School May Not Be the Right Fit

Knowing when a child truly needs a new environment is essential. Some key indicators include:

Academic regression despite consistent support
Persistent emotional distress, anxiety or withdrawal
Lack of adequate resources to support learning diversity or specialised needs
Educational philosophy misaligned with the child’s learning style

Parent checklist for evaluating fit:

Does your child consistently struggle academically despite support?
Are they regularly anxious or unhappy at school?
Does the school provide resources suited to their learning needs?
Is the school’s approach aligned with your child’s learning style and values?

If several of these apply, it may be time to explore alternative environments that will better foster your child’s growth, creativity and emotional wellbeing.

Why Timing Matters — “When to Start Looking”

Many schools accept students throughout the year. However, careful timing is key. Before withdrawing your child from their current school, be sure to secure acceptance at the new one.

Practical considerations include:

Curriculum differences and potential learning gaps
Academic catch-up requirements
Adjustment challenges, both socially and academically

Starting the search early ensures a smooth school transition and avoids any unnecessary disruption to your child’s learning.

How to Evaluate New School Options

A thorough evaluation is critical. Consider the following steps:

Research: Visit school websites, read reviews and explore their ethos and curriculum.
Arrange tours: Meet principals, learning support staff and teachers. Ask specific questions about student support, teaching methods and the culture of the school.
Parent feedback: Speak to parents of current students, especially those with similar needs or concerns.
Practical considerations: Location, cost, class sizes, curriculum alignment and values.
Specialised support: Ensure the school can cater to academic struggles, learning diversity or neurodivergent students if your child has special needs.

At Abbotts College, we encourage families to consider non-traditional schools and alternative schools for learners who may not thrive in the conventional school systems.

Weighing the Benefits vs Risks of a Change

Changing schools can be highly beneficial, but staying may also be the right choice. Remaining in the same school can:

Build resilience and persistence
Strengthen long-term friendships and relationships
Provide continuity in emotional and academic support

Parents should carefully weigh the potential gains of a new environment against the stability and support of the current one. The goal is to select a school that optimally supports emotional wellbeing, academic growth and personal development.

Planning the Transition

Once you have made the decision:

Ensure your child is placed in the new school and has a clear schedule
Arrange academic catch-up or orientation sessions if needed
Prepare your child emotionally by discussing the change and encouraging questions
Monitor the first term carefully, supporting social integration and adaptation

Supporting your child through this process is critical to ensure a positive school transition and sets the foundation for success in their new environment.

Changing schools is a significant decision, but with careful evaluation, timing and support, families can make the transition in a way that benefits both learning and emotional development. Abbotts College provides guidance and alternative education options to ensure every child finds a school that truly fits their needs.

FAQs:

When should I consider changing schools?

If your child consistently struggles academically, shows signs of emotional distress or their needs are not being met.

How do I know if my child’s current school meets their needs?

Look at academic progress, social engagement, emotional wellbeing and alignment with your family’s values.

When should I stick with the current school?

If the challenges are minor, resolvable or temporary, and there are opportunities to address concerns with teachers or support staff.

What role does emotional wellbeing play?

Emotional wellbeing is central; children learn best when they feel safe, supported and engaged. Schools should nurture this alongside academic achievement.

A Survival Guide for Parents and Guardians During Examination Periods

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:02:49 GMT

As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey.

1. Foster Effective Organization

Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice.

2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins

Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state.

3. Minimize Distractions

Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity.

4. Support Emotional Awareness

Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period.

5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques

Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include:

Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat.
Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment.
Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety.

These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments.

6. Promote a Balanced Routine

Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus.

7. Prioritize Self-Care

Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they:

Eat nutritious, regular meals.
Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed.
Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts.

These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods.

8. Practice Empathy and Patience

The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion.

By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!

PERSONALISED LEARNING: HELPING TEENS THRIVE AUTHENTICALLY

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:26:04 GMT

Key Takeaways

Personalised learning helps teens thrive by focusing on their unique strengths, interests, and goals.
This approach encourages students to take ownership of their studies, building confidence and responsibility.
Teachers play a vital role by adapting lessons and feedback to suit individual learning styles.
Alternative education models often integrate personalised learning to support students who need flexibility.
Whether you’re exploring private high schools in Pretoria , Centurion high schools , high schools in Northcliff , Johannesburg, or high schools in Cape Town with no uniform , personalised learning can help students reach their full potential in any environment.

Every young person has a unique story, but in the wrong school, that story might never be realised and celebrated. The right school, however, ensures that each story is heard and every student lives up to their full potential.

Enter personalised learning: Environments where young people are seen, supported and encouraged to explore who they are and want to be in the world. When parents and students walk into a school which prides itself on being student-centered, they immediately feel this difference.

In my 30 years in education, I’ve been continually inspired by what young people can achieve when given the right tools, space, and support. Success is about so much more than academic results, it also includes emotional and social growth. When students are free to express themselves, they experience deeper learning, and greater personal well-being and self-confidence. This freedom builds communication skills, sparks creativity, and fosters critical thinking, developing them into confident and capable young adults.

TAILORING EDUCATION TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

When schools shift to personalised learning, something transformative happens: Students stop feeling like just another face in the crowd and instead, they become active participants in their education.

With tools like MAP assessments, teachers gain valuable insights into where a student excels and where they need support. This data informs learning plans tailored to each student’s pace and style. Some students benefit from short videos or visual aids, while others prefer hands-on tasks or one-on-one support. Platforms like Khan Academy and adaptive learning apps help teachers meet these diverse needs with precision.

This model creates a more dynamic learning environment, where a struggling student can revisit a topic until it makes sense. Advanced learners are able to move on to more challenging material without waiting. Each student progresses at their own pace, in a way that works for them.

BEYOND ACADEMICS

The benefits of personalised learning go well beyond the classroom. Students build emotional resilience when their needs are recognised and met. Social development naturally follows as they take ownership of their learning and grow in confidence.

Personalised learning doesn’t demand perfection, but invites growth. Schools become places of discovery, where students study not only the curriculum, but also discover who they are and what they’re capable of.

If you are wondering whether high schools can change lives by embracing individuality, just watch a student light up when talking about a subject they love. Look at the learners who feel safe enough to speak up, take risks, and aim higher.

UNLOCKING TRUE POTENTIAL

When schools see students not as numbers, but as individuals with dreams and potential, education becomes truly impactful. Personalised learning is not a trend, it is a return to what learning should be: human, responsive, and empowering. As educators, parents, and communities, we must create environments where every student feels valued and every voice matters.

Because when we embrace students for who they really are, we unlock the door to who they’re meant to become.

FAQs

How does alternative education in South Africa support personalised learning?

Alternative education South Africa supports personalised learning by offering flexible teaching styles that focus on each student’s needs and learning preferences

Do any high schools in Cape Town allow students to wear their own clothes?

Yes, high schools in Cape Town with no uniform , like Abbotts College Rondebosch, allow students to dress casually, promoting individuality alongside academic success.

How does personalised learning work in Centurion schools?

Centurion schools like Abbotts College use personalised learning by adapting lessons to suit each student’s strengths and goals, helping them build confidence and achieve better results.

How do I decide which high school in Centurion area is best?

To choose the best high school in Centurion area , consider the school’s teaching style, support systems, and how well it aligns with your teen’s academic goals and personal growth.

Why might parents choose private high schools in Johannesburg for their teens?

A5. Private high schools in Johannesburg provide personalised learning, strong academic programmes, and individual support to prepare teens for university and life beyond school.

BALANCING SCREEN TIME AND SCHOOL WORK: A GUIDE FOR TEENS AND PARENTS

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 12:20:16 GMT

In today's fast-paced digital world, screens have become an integral part of everyday life, especially for high school students. With technology now deeply embedded in education, communication, and entertainment, it is easy to overlook the potential consequences of excessive screen time.

For adolescents, screens serve a crucial role in learning, as many educational tools and resources are available online. However, the same devices that support them on their educational journey also contribute to recreational screen time, such as social media, gaming, and streaming services, which can easily become distractions.

As a psychologist and school counsellor, I often engage with students and parents who struggle to find a healthy balance between screen use and academic responsibilities. With the increasing reliance on technology for learning, the challenge of managing screen time has grown.

The Impact of Excessive Screen Time

Excessive screen use can have far-reaching consequences, affecting students' cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and physical health.

Academic Performance- Studies indicate that students spending more than four hours per day on non-educational screen activities tend to have lower grades. The lure of social media, gaming, and video streaming often leads to procrastination and multitasking, reducing focus and productivity. Many students attempt to complete homework while texting or watching videos, which decreases cognitive efficiency and retention of information.

Mental Health Challenges- The connection between excessive screen time and mental health struggles is well-documented. A 2020 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teenagers who spend significant time on social media are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. The pressure to maintain an ideal online persona, cyberbullying, and constant social comparison can contribute to lower self-esteem and heightened stress levels. Additionally, blue light exposure from screens can disrupt sleep cycles, leading to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Physical Health Concerns- Beyond academic and emotional consequences, excessive screen time is also linked to sedentary behaviour, contributing to obesity, poor posture, and eye strain. Prolonged screen use can cause headaches, back pain, and digital eye strain, negatively affecting overall well-being. Establishing screen-free periods and incorporating physical activity into daily routines is therefore essential for counteracting these risks.

The Role of Parents in Supporting Healthy Screen Habits

Parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop balanced screen habits. Open communication and a supportive environment can encourage teens to make mindful choices about their screen use. Rather than imposing strict rules, collaborative discussions about the impact of screen time and its management foster better cooperation.

Encouraging offline activities such as sports, reading, or creative hobbies can help students cultivate interests beyond screens. Parents can also set a positive example by managing their own screen use and prioritising family activities that do not involve digital devices. Here are some practical strategies for managing screen time:

Create Screen-Free Zones and Times : Designating areas where screen use is restricted, such as bedrooms at night or the family dining table, promotes healthier habits. Implementing a no-screen rule at least an hour before bedtime can significantly improve sleep quality and overall well-being.

Utilise Technology for Learning: Not all screen time is detrimental. Encouraging the use of digital tools for educational purposes, such as online courses (e.g., Khan Academy, Coursera) and research platforms, helps foster a love for learning beyond the classroom while keeping screen time purposeful.

Model Healthy Technology Use: Children often mimic their parents' behaviours, making it essential for adults to demonstrate balanced screen habits. Engaging in outdoor activities, reading, and family discussions instead of excessive screen time help reinforce positive behaviour in teens.

Striking the Right Balance

Screens are an unavoidable part of modern life, but finding a healthy balance is essential for academic success and overall well-being. By setting boundaries, fostering open discussions, and promoting alternative activities, parents and educators can help students navigate the digital world responsibly. When teens develop self-regulation skills and prioritise their responsibilities over distractions, they are better equipped to succeed in school and maintain their mental and physical health. Encouraging balance does not mean eliminating screens altogether, but rather using them mindfully to enhance learning and personal development.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much screen time is too much for high school students?

Studies show that students spending more than four hours per day on non-educational screen activities tend to have lower grades. Excessive screen time can lead to procrastination, reduced focus, and decreased cognitive efficiency, ultimately impacting academic performance and overall well-being.

What are the main effects of excessive screen time on teenagers?

Excessive screen time affects three key areas: academic performance (lower grades, reduced focus), mental health (increased anxiety, depression, sleep disruption), and physical health (obesity, poor posture, eye strain, headaches). Blue light exposure can also disrupt sleep cycles and concentration.

How can parents help teens manage screen time without being too strict?

Parents should focus on collaborative discussions rather than imposing strict rules. Encourage offline activities like sports and hobbies, create screen-free zones, model healthy technology use, and promote educational screen time through platforms like Khan Academy or Coursera.

What are effective screen-free zones for teenagers at home?

Key screen-free zones include bedrooms at night and family dining areas. Implementing a no-screen rule at least one hour before bedtime significantly improves sleep quality. These designated areas help establish healthier boundaries and promote better family communication.

Can screen time ever be beneficial for students' education?

Yes, purposeful screen time for educational activities is beneficial. Online courses, research platforms, and digital learning tools like Khan Academy and Coursera can enhance learning beyond the classroom. The key is distinguishing between educational and recreational screen use.

Why do students struggle with multitasking while doing homework on screens?

Multitasking while doing homework, such as texting or watching videos simultaneously, decreases cognitive efficiency and information retention. The brain cannot effectively process multiple streams of information, leading to reduced productivity and poorer academic performance.

How does social media affect teenagers' mental health and schoolwork?

Social media contributes to anxiety, depression, and emotional distress through constant social comparison, online persona pressure, and potential cyberbullying. These mental health challenges directly impact concentration, academic focus, and overall school performance in teenagers.

What physical health problems can result from too much screen time?

Excessive screen time leads to sedentary behaviour, contributing to obesity, poor posture, and digital eye strain. Students may experience headaches, back pain, and vision problems. Incorporating physical activity and screen breaks is essential for counteracting these health risks.

STRESS LESS, ACHIEVE MORE: PARENTAL STRATEGIES TO SOOTHE EXAM NERVES

tvanrhyn@advtech.co.za (Tobi van Rhyn) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 05:46:41 GMT

As the final exam season approaches for learners across primary and high schools, tensions are mounting in South African homes. This phase can cause increased levels of anxiety and despair, which is an increasing concern in the country and under our youth. Parents play an important role in assisting their teenagers in navigating these emotions by giving emotional and practical support to ensure academic success while maintaining mental health, says Leandri Fick, who recently took over the reigns as Principal of Abbotts College PTA East.

“Research shows a concerning trend of increased anxiety and despair among South African youth, particularly during exam season. According to 2022 research by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), approximately one in every five young people suffers from debilitating anxiety, and suicide is still the second greatest cause of mortality among young people. Teens may feel overwhelmed by academic achievement, familial expectations, and social comparisons.

Final exams are often a cause of increased stress. The results of these exams are frequently regarded as a watershed moment, deciding future educational and professional prospects. For many teenagers, the apparent "all or nothing" stakes can lead to anxiety or depression, necessitating parental intervention and assistance.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS

Parents are usually a teenager's first line of defence against overwhelming stress, but determining how to assist during such a critical period can be challenging. A balanced approach, which provides assistance without increasing the pressure, can make all the difference. So what can parents do?

1. Create a supportive environment
A loving, stress-free family atmosphere can help teenagers cope with their emotions. Simple gestures such as providing a peaceful study environment, eating healthy meals, and maintaining a regular sleep pattern can help reduce stress. Encourage breaks and promote activities such as exercise, which have been shown to lower anxiety.

2. Maintain open communication
Open communication is essential. Let your tween or teenager know that it is acceptable to discuss their worry, anxieties, or disappointments. Validating their feelings rather than discounting their fears promotes emotional resilience. Be available for chats without constantly reminding them of their examinations, as this can exacerbate their nervousness. Ask open-ended questions, such as "How are you feeling about your exams?" rather than focusing entirely on their study schedule or test preparation.

3. Recognise warning signs of anxiety and depression
Early intervention requires awareness of anxiety and depression symptoms. These can include withdrawal from family and friends, changes in diet or sleep patterns, impatience, and even physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches. If these symptoms appear, it is critical to get professional assistance from a school counsellor, psychologist, or GP. SADAG provides helplines exclusively for young people who may be dealing with their mental health.

4. Help with time Management, but don’t micromanage
Many teenagers fail to manage their time effectively during exams. Helping them break down their study materials into digestible bits and organising study sessions can make the process less intimidating. Avoid micromanaging their time or enforcing extremely stringent routines, since this could exacerbate their feelings of overwhelm. Encourage them to work at their own pace and provide mild guidance as needed.

5. Shift the focus from results to effort
Parents should celebrate their children’s effort, rather than the outcome. When the focus switches to the work they're doing rather than their ultimate grades, it can help to alleviate the tension connected with exam results. Emphasise that while tests are essential, they do not define the child’s worth or potential.

Parents’ participation in their child’s exam preparation is multifaceted. Parents can assist in reducing anxiety and depression during this difficult period by creating a supportive environment, encouraging open communication, recognising indicators of mental discomfort, and promoting balance. Teenagers' long-term mental health should always take precedence over short-term academic achievements, ensuring that they leave exam season not only as accomplished students, but also as emotionally robust young people.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT RESOURCES

· Your school counsellor / psychologist.

· South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) https://www.sadag.org/

· Netcare Akeso https://www.netcare.co.za/netcare-akeso

SCHOOL CHANGE: HOW TO DETERMINE IF MOVING ON IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:10:27 GMT

School choice is not a straightforward ticking-of-the-boxes exercise. As all parents know, there are many factors that influence the decision-making process. Even when exhaustive investigations have been done, questions may still remain whether the right choice was made.

At this time of year, following the mid-term exams, and looking forward to a new school year, parents may be considering moving schools due to various factors – academic, social and emotional. The decision to move schools is a significant one that can come with major upsides but also unforeseen downsides, and therefore warrants careful consideration.

Education experts from ADvTECH Schools say that while moving schools is a hard call to make, there are ways to determine whether a child’s current school is the best fit for them, or whether they will be best served in a new or different environment.

Renie Sutherland, Principal at The Bridge Assisted Learning School Morningside, says there are a few factors to take into consideration when assessing if a school is a good match. They include the questions of:

Progress or Regresses: If your child is no longer making progress or is regressing despite the support in place, it may indicate that the current environment is not meeting their needs.
Emotional Distress: If your child exhibits consistent emotional distress, anxiety, or behavioural issues that seem exacerbated by the school setting, this might be a sign that the environment is not conducive to their well-being.
Lack of Adequate Resources: If the school is unable to provide the necessary resources, therapies, or accommodations that your child needs to thrive, it might be time to explore other options.
Mismatch in Educational Philosophy: If the school’s approach to education and support structures does not align with your child’s learning style or needs, it could be beneficial to seek a school with a more tailored approach.

“The ideal environment varies based on the child’s specific challenges; for example a child with learning difficulties might need a more specialised setting, which offers individualised learning plans, smaller class sizes, and dedicated support staff,” she says.

Sutherland says when considering alternative options, parents should:

Visit Schools: Schedule visits to potential schools to observe the environment, meet the staff, and see how the school operates on a day-to-day basis.
Speak to the Principal: Have an in-depth conversation with the principal or head of the learning support team. Discuss your child’s specific needs and how the school can meet them.
Assessments: Arrange for your child to be assessed by an educational psychologist or a specialist to gain a clear understanding of their needs and the type of environment that would best support their development.
Talk to Other Parents: Connect with parents who have children with similar challenges to hear their experiences with different schools.

“Trusting your instincts as a parent is important. If you feel that your child’s current school is not meeting their needs, exploring other options may be the best decision for your child’s long-term success and happiness. How your child responds to school (happy or anxious) is a good determiner of how your child copes at school. Academic success is very much connected to emotional well-being, especially for children who require additional support.”

Marion Kohler, Principal at Abbotts JHB South, says there are a number of reasons as to why a school does not work out for student.

“It could be for emotional reasons, where the child is not making friends, or there has been social isolation. Academic progress could also be a factor, where the child feels they are not getting the necessary support from the teachers or school, or that their subject offering is not aligned with future goals.

“However, it is important to differentiate between typical challenges that can be overcome with time and support, and those that are perhaps just an incompatibility with the school environment. If the issues persist despite efforts to address them, it may be time to consider a change. A school cannot be everything to everybody.”

Kohler says when considering changing schools, it is important to look at the specific needs of a child when looking for a good fit for children with specific challenges.

“Most good schools will offer support for children with barriers to learning, in the form of concessions for exams and tests. There are also more niche schools that are very accommodating of children with mild autism, ADHD, learning barriers such as slow processing speeds, dyslexia, dyscalculia and those with mental health challenges.

“If a child has neurodiverse challenges that are more severe than those mentioned, a school with a stronger support system, such as specialized education services and teachers trained in differentiated instruction for these types of students would be a better fit.”

When investigating alternative options, word of mouth from current parents in a school would be wise, and definitely a visit to the school with an appointment to see the principal could support the decision to change schools.

“Obviously, proximity to home, affordability and fit are important factors to consider. Thereafter, schedule an appointment with the principal and a tour of the school. One gets a ‘feel’ of the culture and climate of the school, what their offerings are and whether you think your child would settle in the environment,” says Kohler.

When contemplating changing schools it is important to weigh up the concerns against potential opportunities, she says.

“If the concerns are ongoing and are affecting a child emotionally, such as bullying, or a general anxiety, perhaps an online school or a school with fewer students may be a better fit.

“However there is also value in remaining in the same school, as it allows students to build deeper relationships with peers and teachers and to develop coping mechanisms including grit, emotional regulation, resilience, perseverance and a growth mindset.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key signs that indicate it's time to change schools for my child?
Key signs include academic regression despite support, consistent emotional distress or anxiety, lack of adequate resources or accommodations, and a mismatch between the school's educational philosophy and your child's learning style. If issues persist despite efforts to address them, it may be time to consider alternatives.

How do I know if my child's current school is meeting their specific learning needs?
Assess whether your child is making progress or regressing academically, observe their emotional well-being at school, and evaluate if the school provides necessary resources and support. A child who is happy and progressing academically is typically in a good educational fit.

What steps should parents take when considering a school change for their child?
Visit potential schools to observe the environment, schedule meetings with principals to discuss your child's needs, arrange educational assessments, and connect with other parents who have similar experiences. Trust your parental instincts throughout the process.

Can changing schools help children with learning difficulties or special needs?

Yes, children with learning difficulties may benefit from specialised schools offering individualised learning plans, smaller class sizes, and dedicated support staff. Schools with stronger support systems and teachers trained in differentiated instruction can better accommodate neurodiverse learners.

When should parents stick with their current school instead of changing?

Consider staying if challenges are typical and can be overcome with time and support. Remaining at the same school allows students to build deeper relationships and develop important coping skills like resilience, emotional regulation, and perseverance.

What factors should parents consider when choosing a new school for their child?
Important factors include proximity to home, affordability, educational fit, school culture and climate, available support services, and specific accommodations for learning barriers. Visit schools personally to get a feel for the environment and meet with principals.

How can parents determine if a school offers adequate support for children with ADHD or autism?
Look for schools that provide exam concessions, have specialised education services, and employ teachers trained in differentiated instruction. Some schools specifically accommodate children with mild autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning barriers through tailored support programs. Visit our open days to find out more.

What role does emotional well-being play in deciding whether to change schools?

Emotional well-being is crucial as academic success is closely connected to how children feel at school. If a child consistently experiences anxiety, social isolation, or behavioral issues exacerbated by the school environment, it may indicate the need for a more supportive educational setting.

MID-YEAR EXAMS: LEARNING FROM THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:27:14 GMT

In the wake of the mid-year exams, there is much that parents and students can learn from their results, which should be used to consider the way forward, an education expert says.

“I was fortunate to have one child who was very diligent as a scholar, starting to study way ahead of the exams, even from the lower grades, using her midterm break to study year after year. She never had to be asked to go and study and her study breaks were actual breaks from studying,” says Mignonne Gerli, Principal: Abbotts College Pretoria East.

“This was not true for all my children. Another of my children thought that studying the day before the exam would do just fine. I remember always catching this child on a study break or as she had just finished studying. I can confidently say that I never, in five years, caught her studying. You can imagine the fights and stress (felt by me) during this time.”

As parents, we know how important it is to achieve good results at school. Prior to Grade 11 and 12, students already need to have developed a mature and diligent work ethic.

“We know which doors can be opened and which firmly shut, based on your school results,” says Gerli.

“For this reason, we fight the good fight which means that exam periods can be extremely stressful and highly unpleasant in many households. We try various methods to cajole our less than diligent children to put effort into their studies and in some cases loathe the day that the reports are published.”

Whether exam time is a breeze for you as a parent, with your model child, or absolute hell, with your sweet/funny/kind but less committed child, the end of the exams and results need to be reflected upon. And for those who suffered through the past exams, it is time to come up with different strategies for the next set of exams.

“Reflection for those who appear to prepare well for exams, will take the form of considering whether their study methods were effective or if they need help with the way in which they study.”

“During these exams, I watched my one granddaughter study. “Not once did I catch her on a break on the days she was with us. What I also noticed was that she studies by copying out the textbook, not something that can be remedied when she is shoulder deep into the exams. This is not an effective way to study and she will definitely need to be taught better study methods in preparation for her next exams.”

What have you as a parent noticed about your child’s study methods? Can you assist or will you need a professional to help with better study methods?

“Students who achieved excellent results for their exams can reflect on why they did so well and how they can build on this going forward.

“The students who put little to no effort into their preparation for the exams, will need guidance and assistance from their parents to try remedy their approach to their work. There needs to be an open, calm discussion about why they did not study for the exams and what would motivate them to study and put effort into their preparation for their next exam session.”

Approaches could include:

Negative consequences for poor effort, such as having their phones taken away for a period of time, grounding them or taking away certain privileges.
Offering a reward for effort, this may be in the form of a cash incentive for improved results or achieving a certain mark per subject, it could be purchasing them something they would like, it could be additional privileges.
Reasoning with them, explaining the importance of developing a mature work ethic and achieving good results. This is something teenagers struggle to fully comprehend so some true-life examples of success and failure of family members and friends, when it comes to financial and career success, may be useful here.
Go through university courses they may be interested in with them and show them what is required to qualify for the courses. I have found that many teenagers have no idea what is required to gain access to a career they wish to pursue. A reality check is sometimes all they need.
Help them think about their future and what they want to achieve in life. It needs to be concrete as having a goal is a great motivator for hard work. Usually, it is the students who have no real vision for their future and what they would like to achieve who struggle to motivate themselves to study. They simply don’t get why it’s important and of value.

“Exam time can be very stressful, but taking some time to consider how to make the next exam session less so, and working towards establishing a positive trajectory, can make all the difference for the future,” says Gerli.

A PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE: NURTURING RESILIENCE & ENDURANCE IN YOUR CHILD

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 05:56:00 GMT

Resilience and endurance are indispensable qualities in today's fast-paced world, and parents play a crucial role in cultivating these traits in their children. But while we all understand the importance of these traits, helping our children develop them isn’t always easy.

In my many years as an educator and now school principal, I have, however, learnt there are some surefire ways to help your child develop strength and resilience. Key among these, is helping them to develop a Growth Mindset.

Teach your child to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures, and emphasise the importance of dedication and effort in developing skills and abilities.

It is also important to Model Resilience , and to lead by example. Show your child how to tackle challenges with a positive attitude and perseverance, and share stories of your own setbacks and triumphs to highlight the importance of resilience.

We should also help our children build Emotional Awareness . Help your child identify and express their feelings openly, and teach them healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and disappointment. Again, lead by example. You do not feel the same and on top of your game every day, and neither should your child be expected to. You may be emotional and express your feelings in a healthy and appropriate manner, and our children should be encouraged to do the same.

Supportive Relationships and their importance can’t be overstated. Foster open communication and trust within your family and encourage meaningful connections with peers and mentors who can offer guidance and support during tough times. Do not feel that you failed as a parent if they open to someone else, but rather welcome the fact that they are building a broad network of support.

One of the biggest gifts we can give our children, is to Promote Independence. Empower your child to take on responsibilities and make decisions independently, without hovering over them and eyeing their every move like a hawk. Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and take on new experiences. Offer support while allowing them the opportunity to learn and grow from their experiences. Offer guidance and support while encouraging them to problem-solve and find solutions on their own. Tell them in conversations of examples where you as a parent made the incorrect decision, how it affected your future, and also how you were able to move on from mistakes. We all make them, and dealing with them is part of the learning journey.

Celebrate Progress, not just Achievements . Recognise and celebrate your child's efforts and progress, regardless of the outcome. Focus on the journey rather than the result to reinforce the importance of resilience and perseverance. Encourage your child by emphasising that he or she is not there yet, but that constant and sustained effort will pay off.

Prioritise physical health through regular exercise, nutritious eating and adequate sleep. Healthy Habits are the building blocks on which everything else rests. A healthy body lays the foundation for emotional resilience. Ensure that there is a healthy balance between the child’s academic, sport and leisure time.

Teach problem-solving skills and Cultivate Optimism . Equip your child with effective problem-solving skills to navigate challenges confidently. Encourage them to brainstorm creative solutions and learn from setbacks. Help your child develop a positive outlook on life by focusing on the lessons and opportunities for growth in difficult situations, and always keeping things in perspective.

BUILDING RESILIENCE IN TEENAGERS: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:49:40 GMT

Resilience, the ability to bounce back from challenges and adapt in the face of adversity, is a critical skill for teenagers navigating the complexities of modern life. As parents, your role in fostering resilience can profoundly influence your child's ability to manage stress, overcome obstacles, and thrive both academically and personally. From an educator's perspective, here are key strategies to help build resilience in your teenager.

1. Encourage a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset, the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, is foundational to resilience. Praise your teenager for their effort rather than innate ability. For instance, instead of saying, "You're so smart," try, "I'm impressed by how hard you worked on this." This shift encourages persistence and a willingness to embrace challenges.

2. Foster Strong Relationships

Supportive relationships are crucial for building resilience. Encourage your teenager to build and maintain healthy relationships with peers, family members, and mentors. Spend quality time together as a family, engage in open communication, and create an environment where your teenager feels safe to express their feelings and experiences.

3. Teach Problem-Solving Skills

Equip your teenager with problem-solving skills to manage difficulties independently. When they face a challenge, guide them through the process of identifying the problem, brainstorming potential solutions, evaluating the pros and cons of each option, and implementing a plan of action. This practice not only builds resilience but also instils a sense of competence and confidence.

4. Promote Self-Care and Healthy Habits

A healthy body supports a resilient mind. Encourage your teenager to adopt regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep. Discuss the importance of relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or even simple hobbies that they enjoy. Prioritising self-care helps teenagers manage stress and maintain emotional balance.

5. Model Resilient Behaviour

Children often learn by observing their parents. Demonstrate resilient behaviour in your own life. Share your experiences of overcoming difficulties, discuss the emotions involved, and explain how you managed to navigate the tough times. Your teenager will learn valuable lessons about resilience through your example.

6. Encourage Independence and Responsibility

Allow your teenager to take on age-appropriate responsibilities and make their own decisions. This autonomy fosters a sense of control and competence. Please encourage them to set personal goals and take steps towards achieving them. Please support them in facing the natural consequences of their choices, as these experiences are crucial for learning and growth.

7. Provide a Safe Environment to Fail

Failure is an inevitable part of life and a powerful teacher. Create an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a disaster. Encourage your teenager to take risks and try new things, reassuring them that it is okay to fail and that you are there to support them in learning from these experiences.

8. Develop Emotional Literacy

Help your teenager develop emotional literacy, the ability to recognise, understand, and manage their emotions. Engage in conversations about feelings, encourage them to articulate their emotions, and validate their experiences. Teaching them techniques for managing negative emotions, such as deep breathing or journaling, can also be beneficial.

9. Set Realistic Expectations

Set realistic and achievable expectations for your teenager. Unrealistic expectations can lead to excessive stress and a sense of failure. Please work with your teenager to set attainable goals and celebrate their progress. This approach fosters a sense of achievement and motivates them to keep moving forward despite setbacks.

10. Seek Professional Support When Needed

Parents must identify when their child needs professional help. If your teenager is struggling with significant stress, anxiety, or depression, do not hesitate to seek support from school counsellors, therapists, or other mental health professionals. Early intervention can make a substantial difference in their ability to build and maintain resilience.

Building resilience is a journey, not a destination. By employing these strategies, you can support your teenager in developing the skills and mindset needed to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and strength. As educators, we see firsthand the positive impact of resilience on students’ well-being and success, and we are committed to partnering with you in nurturing resilient, capable young adults.

CULTIVATING DISCIPLINE: EXPLORING DYNAMICS IN SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS, FOSTERING ACADEMIC SUCCESS THROUGH RESTORATIVE PRACTICES FOR A STRONGER COMMUNITY

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:44:03 GMT

Discipline serves as the cornerstone of a well-functioning society, transcending classroom boundaries and weaving into the very fabric of our homes. This article delves into the intricate challenges of discipline in South African schools, recognising the multifaceted nature of the issue that educators, parents, and policymakers grapple with. It underscores the pivotal role that discipline plays within school walls and in the nurturing environment of homes. Moreover, the relationship between good discipline and academic success will be explored as a key element in building a stronger educational foundation.

The Landscape of Discipline in South African Schools:

With its rich cultural diversity and historical context, South Africa faces unique challenges in maintaining discipline within its educational systems. The persistent effects of apartheid, socio-economic disparities, and cultural differences contribute to a complex environment where instilling a sense of order is paramount. Recent efforts have aimed to address these challenges, striving to create an inclusive and disciplined learning environment that fosters academic achievement.

Challenges Faced:

In South African schools, a primary hurdle lies in the stark resource disparities between urban and rural areas. Many schools in disadvantaged communities grapple with overcrowded classrooms, limited access to educational materials, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which exacerbate disciplinary issues. Violence and substance abuse, prevalent in urban areas, further contribute to a cycle of indiscipline that is challenging to break. Addressing these issues necessitates comprehensive strategies that encompass both academic and social aspects of discipline.

The Role of Home in Shaping Discipline:

Discipline is not confined to school walls; it is a value instilled in individuals from an early age, primarily within the family unit. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in shaping discipline, providing the foundations of respect, responsibility, and self-control. Actively engaged parents who reinforce positive behaviours contribute significantly to creating a disciplined and conducive learning environment.

Holistic Approach to Discipline:

Schools and parents must adopt a holistic approach, addressing punitive measures and providing counselling and support services for students facing personal challenges. Restorative justice practices effectively resolve conflicts and foster a sense of responsibility, laying the groundwork for academic success.

Restorative Discipline:

Recognizing the evolving needs of today's schools, restorative discipline offers an alternative to traditional punitive measures. This approach focuses on repairing harm, promoting empathy, and encouraging personal growth. By combining restorative practices with appropriate consequences, schools can create a positive and inclusive learning environment that fosters more robust relationships, a sense of belonging, and ultimately, academic success.

The Power of Consequences:

Restorative discipline acknowledges the necessity of consequences in promoting accountability. Unlike traditional punitive measures, restorative consequences are meaningful, proportionate, and focused on restoration. Activities such as community service, making restitution, writing reflective essays, or participating in circles and mediation sessions replace isolation with opportunities for understanding and growth.

Benefits of Restorative Discipline with Consequences:

Stronger Relationships: Restorative discipline promotes communication, empathy, and understanding, strengthening relationships within the school community.
Increased Accountability: Involving students in the resolution process fosters accountability, as they recognise the consequences of their choices and take ownership of their behaviour.
Improved Behaviour: By addressing underlying causes and supporting positive changes, restorative discipline equips students with skills for making better choices, enhancing their prospects for academic success.
Safer Learning Environment: Cultivating a culture of understanding reduces conflicts, resulting in a safer and more inclusive learning environment conducive to academic achievement.

Discipline in South African schools is a complex challenge that demands collaboration from all stakeholders. By addressing resource disparities, embracing restorative practices, and recognising the crucial role of the family unit in shaping discipline, South Africa can pave the way for a brighter future marked by academic success. Restorative discipline, with its emphasis on repairing harm and fostering personal growth, offers a powerful tool for building a more robust and happier school community. Through these efforts, schools can transform disciplinary procedures into opportunities for growth, understanding, and community-building, setting the stage for students’ ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT and the educational community to flourish.

UNLEASHING CREATIVITY AND SHAPING THE FUTURE: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SELECTING ENGINEERING GRAPHICS AND DESIGN IN SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH SCHOOLS

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:41:43 GMT

Welcome to the dynamic realm of Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD), a subject that not only unlocks the door to creativity but also serves as a gateway to a multitude of technological disciplines. For students in Years 10-12 in South African high schools, choosing EGD is a decision that opens a world of possibilities, providing a unique blend of academic knowledge and technical skills.

Understanding EGD: A Gateway to Technological Excellence

EGD is more than just a subject; it is an exploration into internationally recognized principles that span Mechanical Technology, Civil Technology, and Electrical Technology. EGD bridges the gap between theory and application, offering students a chance to delve into the intricacies of designing machinery and innovative architectural wonders.

Unleashing Creativity: The Core of EGD

At the heart of EGD lies the opportunity to unleash creativity by acquiring foundational knowledge and diverse drawing techniques. Students embark on a journey where they learn to interpret and create drawings within the dynamic contexts of various technological disciplines. Whether envisioning intricate machinery, architectural marvels, or innovative electrical systems, EGD equips learners with the skills to turn ideas into reality.

Exploring EGD's Main Topics

In the EGD curriculum, students delve into a comprehensive array of topics, each designed to provide a well-rounded understanding of the subject. From general drawing principles applicable to all technological drawings to free-hand drawing techniques, instrument drawing mastery, and orthographic projections in both first- and third-angle perspectives, EGD covers a wide spectrum.

Students also encounter descriptive and solid geometry, mechanical, civil, and electrical working drawings, isometric and perspective drawing, and electrical diagrams for efficient communication. The curriculum extends to intricate aspects like interpenetrations and developments of complex structures, understanding loci of helixes, cams, and mechanisms, and navigating the Design Process for effective problem-solving. Furthermore, students are introduced to modern drawing methods through the embracing of CAD (Computer-Aided Drawing/Design).

Career Opportunities: Where EGD Leads You

Choosing EGD not only nurtures creativity but also opens doors to exciting career opportunities. Graduates with a background in EGD find themselves well-prepared for diverse professions such as:

Mechanical Engineering: Design and innovate machinery, engines, and mechanical systems.
Architecture: Shape the skylines of cities by designing buildings and structures.
Electrical Engineering: Create innovative electrical systems and electronic devices.
Civil Engineering: Contribute to the development of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and dams.
CAD Technician: Specialize in Computer-Aided Design, playing a crucial role in various industries.
Product Design: Craft and refine consumer products, from electronics to household items.
Urban Planning: Contribute to the design and development of sustainable cities and communities.

The importance of choosing Engineering Graphics and Design in South African high schools extends beyond the classroom. EGD equips students with valuable skills and paves the way for fulfilling and impactful careers in various technological fields. So, why wait? Join us in the captivating world of EGD and embark on a journey that not only sparks creativity but also propels you toward a future filled with exciting career opportunities. Your adventure begins now!

TEEN INDEPENDENCE VS PARENTAL SUPPORT

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:26:31 GMT

Navigating the teenage years can be a challenging experience for both parents and teens. As children grow into young adults, they seek more independence, wanting to make their own decisions and explore the world on their own terms. Meanwhile, parents naturally want to provide support and guidance, ensuring their teens make safe and wise choices. Striking the right balance between fostering independence and offering parental support is crucial for healthy development and a harmonious household.

1. Understanding the Need for Independence

Teenagers crave independence as a normal part of their development. It is a crucial stage where they learn to make decisions, develop their identities, and prepare for adulthood. Encouraging this independence helps them build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of responsibility.

2. Establishing Open Communication

One of the most effective ways to balance independence with support is through open communication. Encourage your teen to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Listening actively and empathetically can foster trust and make them more likely to seek your advice when needed.

3. Setting Clear Boundaries

While teens need freedom, they also need boundaries to feel secure. Establish clear, reasonable rules and consequences, and explain the reasons behind them. Consistency is key; it helps teens understand expectations and the importance of responsibility.

4. Encouraging Self-Responsibility

Allow your teen to take on responsibilities and experience the consequences of their actions. Whether it is managing their schoolwork, holding a part-time job, or handling chores at home, these experiences are invaluable for their growth. Offer guidance when necessary but avoid micromanaging.

5. Being a Supportive Safety Net

While fostering independence, it is important to let your teen know you are there for them. Be a supportive safety net they can rely on when things get tough. This reassurance can give them the confidence to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

6. Teaching Decision-Making Skills

Guide your teen in making decisions by discussing potential outcomes and helping them weigh the pros and cons. Encourage them to think critically and consider various perspectives. Over time, they will develop better judgement and become more self-reliant.

7. Respecting Their Privacy

Respecting your teen’s privacy is crucial in building trust. Give them space to have personal time and conversations with friends. Trusting them with their privacy shows that you have confidence in their ability to manage their lives, boosting their self-esteem.

8. Providing Emotional Support

Adolescence can be an emotionally turbulent time. Be available to offer emotional support and understanding. Sometimes, all a teen wants is a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. Your emotional support can be a strong anchor as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up.

9. Encouraging Positive Friendships

Friends play a significant role in a teenager’s life. Encourage your teen to form healthy, positive friendships. Discuss the qualities of good friends and the importance of mutual respect and support in friendships. A good peer group can reinforce positive behaviours and values.

10. Leading by Example

Teens learn a lot by observing their parents. Demonstrate the values and behaviours you wish to instil in them. Show respect, responsibility, and resilience in your actions. Your example will serve as a powerful guide as they shape their own identities and principles.

Balancing teen independence with parental support is a delicate and ongoing process. By fostering open communication, setting clear boundaries, and providing a supportive environment, you can help your teen develop into a confident, responsible, and well-adjusted adult. Remember, the goal is not to control their journey but to guide and support them as they find their own path.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can parents balance teen independence with providing necessary support?

Parents can balance teen independence and support through open communication, setting clear boundaries, and acting as a safety net. Allow teens to make decisions and experience consequences while providing guidance when needed, establishing reasonable rules, and maintaining trust through active listening and emotional availability.

What are the key signs that my teenager needs more independence?
Teenagers typically need more independence when they start seeking decision-making opportunities, expressing desire for privacy, taking on responsibilities, and showing maturity in handling consequences. This natural developmental stage helps them build confidence, problem-solving skills, and prepare for adulthood through gradual autonomy.

Why is establishing boundaries important for teenagers seeking independence?

Clear boundaries provide teenagers with security while fostering independence. Consistent, reasonable rules help teens understand expectations and develop responsibility. Explaining the reasoning behind boundaries builds trust and helps teenagers make better decisions when they have more freedom to choose.

How should parents communicate effectively with independent-minded teenagers?
Effective communication involves active listening without judgment, encouraging teens to share thoughts and feelings openly, and fostering trust through empathy. Parents should discuss decision-making processes, help weigh pros and cons, and respect their teenager's perspective while offering guidance and support.

What role does privacy play in supporting teenage independence?
Respecting teenage privacy builds trust and demonstrates confidence in their ability to manage their lives. Giving teens personal space and time with friends boosts self-esteem and shows parental trust, which encourages responsible behavior and strengthens the parent-teen relationship.

Can giving teenagers more responsibility help them become more independent?

Yes, allowing teenagers to handle responsibilities like schoolwork, part-time jobs, and household chores develops independence and life skills. Experiencing natural consequences teaches valuable lessons, while parental guidance without micromanaging helps teens build confidence and decision-making abilities.

How can parents provide emotional support without hindering teen independence?
Parents can offer emotional support by being available as listeners and providing understanding during difficult times. Acting as a supportive safety net while allowing teens to navigate challenges independently gives them confidence to take risks, learn from mistakes, and develop resilience.

What impact do friendships have on teenage independence and development?

Positive friendships significantly influence teenage development by reinforcing good values and behaviours. Parents should encourage healthy peer relationships built on mutual respect and support, as good friends can positively impact a teenager's decision-making and provide additional emotional support during adolescence.

START TERM 2 STRONG: HOW TO PIVOT AFTER A DISAPPOINTING FIRST TERM

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:49:48 GMT

As students across South Africa head back to school for the start of Term 2, it's an ideal time for them to pause and reflect on their academic year thus far. The start of a new term marks a natural point for evaluation and adjustment, and embarking on a different path if needs be, an education expert says.

“Reflecting on your experiences, achievements and challenges of the previous term can provide valuable insights that could guide you regarding the way forward for the rest of the academic year,” says Mignonne Gerli, Principal at Abbotts College Pretoria East.

“Reflection should not be underrated. It is a powerful tool for self-awareness and improvement. It allows you to consider your progress, identify areas of strength and weakness and helps you reaffirm your goals. By taking the time to reflect on your experiences, you can learn from your successes and setbacks, make informed decisions and strive for continuous improvement,” she says.

Gerli says students who feel they did not perform to the best of their ability in the first term, should consider the following questions:

What were my goals at the beginning of the term?
How did I progress towards achieving them?
What accomplishments am I most proud of?
What was my main focus in Term 1?
What challenges did I face?
Did I overcome them and, if so, how did I overcome them?
What skills or knowledge did I acquire during the term?
Did I effectively manage my time and prioritise tasks?
What feedback did I receive and how did I incorporate it into my studies?
What aspects of the term would I like to improve upon in Term 2?
If in the FET Phase of high school, do I need to change subjects?

“Reflection often leads to the realisation that adjustments are necessary to align with your goals for this academic year. Pivoting - making strategic changes in your approach - can be a valuable response to the insights you gained through reflection.

“Whether it involves changing subjects, your study habits, adopting a more responsible work ethic, or reevaluating your priorities, pivoting enables you to do things differently in order to achieve better results.”

Students who make the decision to pivot, following their reflection on the questions above, should ensure they set clear objectives for the path ahead.

“Clarify your goals and priorities for the upcoming term and remainder of the academic year. By setting specific, achievable objectives your actions will be guided and you will find it easier to keep focused on what matters most. Write down your objectives and refer to them at least once a week,” advises Gerli.

Additionally, students should not hesitate to seek out support and guidance.

“Reach out to mentors, teachers or peers for advice and support. Their insights can offer valuable guidance as you reset for the remainder of the year. It is also important to reflect regularly.

“Make reflection a habit by setting aside time at regular intervals to assess your progress and adjust your course as needed. Regular reflection ensures that you stay aligned with your goals and continue to grow and evolve.”

NO PLACE IN GRADE 8 FOR YOUR CHILD – THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:24:24 GMT

In recent years, the challenge of overcrowding in public schools has reached alarming levels, leaving many schools and provinces struggling and often unable to accommodate the influx of Grade 8 student applications.

"We have received numerous calls since the beginning of the year from parents who are quite desperate to find a school for their child who should be starting Grade 8 this year," says Chris van Niekerk, Managing Director of Abbotts College.

He says while this problem might seem insurmountable to parents, there are other options available which should not be dismissed out of hand because of perceptions about, for instance, affordability or logistical concerns.

“There are many, many parents and students finding themselves in this predicament. While provinces scramble to make alternative arrangements to accommodate Grade 8 learners who have not yet been placed, parents may be rightly concerned both by the clock ticking on their child’s plans for 2024, as well as concerns about the standard of teaching and learning they might encounter under potentially unusual classroom conditions should they be accommodated under temporary arrangements.”

Van Niekerk says those parents who must now either wait, or make alternative arrangements, should investigate their options, as they might just find an alternative path that works for both the child and the family.

These options include:

Private Schools: Private schools with a reputation for quality education and smaller class sizes can provide a more personalised learning experience. The idea of “private school” is often dismissed out of hand because of perceptions about affordability, however before eliminating this option, parents should contact potential schools and at least enquire whether it would not be within their means to send their child to a private school.
Homeschooling: Some parents explore the option of homeschooling, ensuring direct involvement in their child's education and tailoring the curriculum to individual needs. There has been an explosion in homeschooling in recent years, with countless resources available to parents who opt for this route.
Online Education: Exploring online education platforms can be a viable alternative, especially in today's digital age, offering flexibility and personalised learning. It is important to establish the credentials of an online school before signing up with one, but schools such as, for instance, Evolve Online School, has an excellent reputation both for academic excellence as well as non-academic and holistic development of students.

“Every child is entitled to a quality education. While we understand the challenges schools and provinces, in particular the Western Cape and Gauteng, face with overwhelming student numbers, parents are not entirely powerless. This situation is undoubtedly placing immense pressure on families, but it is important to understand and investigate options,” says Van Niekerk.

“In addition to not being placed, other students find themselves in a situation where they have been placed at schools that were not part of their consideration list or, for practical reasons, simply would not be a fit. Common issues such as distance from home and transport problems can significantly impact the selection of an ideal educational institution. Considering these challenges, it may be prudent for parents to consider private education as an alternative.

"While we know this may not be an option for all families, schools such as Abbotts College, which are committed to providing a positive and enriching educational experience have become a lifeline for thousands of families who previously didn’t consider private education a viable option.”

REPORT CARD BLUES: WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS IF YOU DIDN’T DO WELL?

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 11:45:54 GMT

As the end of year examination season has drawn to a close, the tension surrounding the end of the year report publishing starts to mount in households around the country. Many parents often feel that they are more concerned about the end of year results and that their teenagers are already in holiday mode and show very little interest in these results.

This can merely be a smokescreen for the anxiety and fear that many teens experience, an education expert says.

“Children often try to avoid their parents more during this time because they feel as if they are constantly being reminded of the looming judgement day,” says Colette Ehmke, Head of Academics: Abbotts College Pretoria-East.

“The way parents approach this potential report-card minefield can cause lifelong damage to their children and their relationship with their child. Like with most things in life, it is vital to approach this with a well-constructed plan of action. When receiving the report, parents need to self-regulate their own response to ensure that they rather show care and not judgement. This is a teaching moment that can help to strengthen your relationship with your child and can help to build mutual trust and respect.”

Ehmke says parents and guardians should:

Encourage open communication with their child. Determine which results they are most proud of and why. Also discuss the results they feel could have been better and why they think they did not achieve what they had hoped they would.
Ask their child what they have learnt about themselves and how their perception of their own abilities, interests and talents may have changed.
Determine, together with their child, where they needed extra help and how you as a parent can assist them in the following year.

“It is very important that parents are aware that most teenagers have not yet developed self-regulating skills and that they may not be able to manage their own time or create a plan of action for the following year.

“Skills that come naturally for adults are not yet developed and needlessly criticising your child’s inability to self-regulate does damage to your trust relationship. You need to assist your child to verbalise where they need help and what exactly they need to do to improve their results in the following year. It is important that you listen and allow your child to speak their own truth.”

So how can parents help?

“During your conversation with your child, it is important to allow them to evaluate their own goals and to set new or adjusted goals based on their report. Helping them to identify possible career avenues and exploring possible tertiary options based on their current results shows them that you are interested in their well-being and that you want them to succeed,” says Ehmke.

“It is very important not to live your own dreams through your child but to allow them to explore their own dreams. In Grade 10 and Grade 11, your child may need to make some subject changes based on their current results. It is very important that parents are realistic about their own child’s abilities. Your child can live a very successful and happy life without taking Mathematics and Physical Sciences. If your child is achieving below 50% in these subjects, they will not be able to gain entry into a Bachelor of Science degree and your child’s current subjects may not be serving them and their future at all.”

Considerations to keep in mind

Teenagers’ poor academic performance could very well be a symptom of something bigger.

“A number of teenagers are experiencing very high incidences of undiagnosed anxiety and depression and this may have a very negative impact on their results. Having some courageous conversations with your teen could prevent dire consequences later in life. Your child’s teachers may also have communicated that they struggle to finish tests or examinations and you may need to consider applying for accommodations to assist them.”

Comparing siblings’ results or the results of friends and family are also to be avoided.

“Comparison is the thief of joy and gives rise to the development of lifelong feelings of inadequacy. It is very important not to damage your child’s relationship with learning. We often wonder why older children are no longer in awe of learning but too many negative responses to poor performance destroys your child’s confidence and robs them of the enthusiasm we see in toddlers when they are going to school,” says Ehmke.

“Report season does not have to be filled with dread and be a doom and gloom experience. Teach your teenager that you value their input and that results should be viewed as a tool to self-discovery and not as a yardstick for personal value. A disappointing report card need no be more than a bump in life’s journey, as there are always options available for progressing, even if this means changing direction or embarking on a new path.”

HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS: TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR CHILD’S JOURNEY

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 11:19:29 GMT

As your child enters the high school years, parenting can become more challenging and complex. Balancing their growing independence with your desire to keep them safe and on track can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. With so many physical and emotional changes happening, it's important to approach parenting a high schooler with care and consideration, an education expert says.

“We have seen a sharp increase in the number of students experiencing anxiety. This is due to a greater demand on both children and adults to perform and contribute meaningfully to an ever-changing society,” says Candice Erasmus, Head of Student Behaviour and Wellbeing at Abbotts College Pretoria-East.

“These demands result in an increased number of stressors which could be financial, emotional and social. High school students often feel very overwhelmed by the workload, social expectations and navigating their school and social environments. Furthermore, due to their pre-frontal cortex not being fully developed yet, they may struggle with planning efficiently, time management and being organised, which further adds to their feelings of anxiety,” she says.

She says parents who are concerned about their child’s anxiety levels, can do the following:

Be a “safe haven” for your child. After COVID, a number of children have lost social connection and need a safe place to talk. Consider this safe haven as a harbour for a ship. The ship leaves the habour to explore but it always comes back to the safety of the harbour.
The demand on parents is intense in the current economic climate, however, fostering social connection in a family can be as easy as finding opportunities to eat together, play board games and take walks/exercise together. Don’t underestimate the importance of these opportunities for connection.
Taking time to assist your child with planning, managing their time and organising their academic and social events may help relieve some potential stressors.
Teach your children about Mindfulness. You might not have these tools but there are amazing platforms that have great mindfulness tools, such as Spotify and YouTube.

DEALING WITH IDENTITY CHALLENGES

All adolescents go through a time called identity formation. During this time they need to engage in a safe exploration of their interests and hobbies, which will allow them to form who they are, what their likes and dislikes are and, furthermore, what their value system is.

Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing their identity:

Find opportunities to engage with your child about their likes and dislikes and ask them about the experiences that led them to their decision.
Explore different fields of interest and how that could lead to a career.
Allow them to engage in discussions about their opinions, interests and values.

Boundaries and peer pressure are a continuum of deficiency of identity. If a child struggles to set boundaries, they tend to struggle to form their own identity and vice versa. This in turn causes a feedback loop with anxiety. This also leads children to be more vulnerable to peer pressure as they have not set their value system and therefore struggle to say NO.

Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing their boundaries:

Have a family meeting, in this you as a family can set the house rules and the consequences of breaking these rules.
Allow for appropriate boundary-setting in your family and encourage a respect for each other’s boundaries.
Use opportunities that are seen on TV or experiences to discuss boundaries and the social/personal consequences of not setting boundaries.
Discuss the short-term and long-term consequences of decision-making due to peer pressure for example drug usage, underage drinking and being sexually active.
It is important to allow appropriate decision-making to take place and then allow your child to feel the consequences of their decision-making (in the less consequential choices). You as a parent can help them look at the points to consider.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

Adolescents have a tough time regulating their emotions for several reasons such as hormonal fluctuations and a developing prefrontal cortex where regulation takes place. We have seen an increase in students who struggle to identify and express their emotions in different settings.

Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing their emotional regulation:

Parents can put up an emotional wheel in the house, ( https://humansystems.co/emotionwheels has three wheels that cater for different age groups). This wheel helps parents to teach children how to name what they are feeling (identify), this in turn helps the children to understand what other people may be feeling which will help them form better social relationships.

Allow and assist your child to feel the emotion. We all have a tendency to hurry an emotion, but it is so important to feel the emotion and understand that feelings/emotions come and go.
Encourage emotional regulation activities such as writing, drawing or dancing to express and release emotions.

NUTRITION AND SLEEP

Lack of good nutrition and poor sleep habits can have a significant impact on high school students' academic performance, physical health and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, many students are not getting the nutrients they need to fuel their bodies and brains and they are also not getting enough restorative sleep. This can result in decreased concentration, poor memory, irritability and even depression.

Parents can do the following to assist their children in developing good eating and sleep habits:

Limit sugar and caffeine (Monster energy drinks, Red Bull and Switch to name a few)
Promote a healthy, balanced diet including fruits and vegetables, protein and healthy carbohydrates. Limit processed foods and fast foods.
Encourage healthy sleep hygiene which includes: an environment conducive to sleep, limited screen time before bed, a bedtime routine and at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night.

“Parenting a high schooler can be both challenging and rewarding. With so many changes happening in your child's life, it's important to approach parenting with care and consideration,” says Erasmus.

“By focusing on areas such as anxiety, identity, boundaries, emotional regulation, nutrition and sleep, parents can help their children navigate these crucial years with confidence and success. By being a safe haven for your child, engaging in discussions and activities together as well as providing guidance and support when needed, you can help your child thrive during their high school years and beyond”.

THE PRINCIPAL ADVISES: PARENTING CHALLENGES IN TEENAGE YEARS

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:27:58 GMT

Parenting teenagers can be – in fact mostly is – a very challenging endeavour. While there is no foolproof recipe for success, following some guidelines and parameters will indeed make most parenting journeys somewhat easier, if not completely challenge-free, a career educator says.

“After more than three decades of being a high school teacher, a principal and parent of a teenager, I know that parenting teenagers can be a challenging journey, especially when they start to pull away and disconnect from their family,” says Sanet Van Rensburg, Principal:

Abbotts College Centurion.

She says mutual respect plays a pivotal role in surviving the teenage parenting years.

“Although it is natural for teenagers to seek more independence and establish their own identities, it's equally important for parents to find ways to stay involved and maintain a strong connection. But how do you stay involved and nurture a healthy relationship with a disconnected teenager?

“The answer is effective communication. Effective communication is the root of any healthy parent-teen relationship. Avoid judgment and criticism and instead, listen actively and empathetically. Ask open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and show genuine interest in their lives. A simple rule like “no earphones when we are driving to or from school,” can be the start to opening the door to mutual chats.”

Teens will make mistakes (and, as a parent, you will see the red-light flickering), but they sometimes need to take the consequences of their decisions, says Van Rensburg.

“The important thing is to be there for them. Do not judge but rather love them unconditionally even though you do not like the decision they made, and rather help them gain self-confidence again. As parents we sometimes think that all questionable decisions are bad, but that is not the truth. All decisions – even bad ones – help teenagers to develop essential life skills.”

Teenagers can be moody and unpredictable, and they may not always be receptive to your attempts at connection.

“Remember that these phases are temporary, and it's essential to remain patient and understanding. Maintain a consistent, supportive presence in their lives, even when they push you away. You do not need to say anything; they just need to know that you are there,” advises Van Rensburg.

“Establish clear boundaries and expectations within your household. These guidelines can help teenagers understand their responsibilities and the consequences of their actions. However, it's crucial to involve them in setting these rules, thus ensuring they feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for their behaviour.”

Finding the right balance between involvement and intrusion can be tricky, Van Rensburg notes.

“Aim to be present in your teenager's life without constantly hovering over them. Attend their school events, sports games, or performances, but give them the freedom to socialise with friends and have downtime without feeling monitored. The first prize will be for them to want their friends to come over to your house for a braai or to chill.

“The important element is not to be a helicopter parent, but to trust the previous 12+ years that you have invested in your teen’s upbringing and guidance in making the right decision in challenging situations.”

SETTING UP A PRODUCTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR END-OF-YEAR EXAMS

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:19:21 GMT

As the school year progresses, one of the most critical periods for high school students is how to approach the end-of-year exams. Preparing for these exams can be challenging, but with the right mindset, study environment, and helpful tools, students can increase their chances of success. With the support of parents and teachers, coupled with a positive growth mindset, success is imminent. I always tell my students it is a simple equation:

Time + Effort = Success.

Let us explore tips on how to set up a productive learning environment and introduce some valuable tools that can aid students in their examination preparations.

Creating the Ideal Study Space

The first step to examination success is setting up an environment that promotes productivity and minimises distractions. Here are some key elements to consider:

1. Choose a Quiet and Comfortable Space

Select a quiet and comfortable location where there can be focus without interruptions. Whether it's a corner of the bedroom, a designated study area, or a quiet library, ensure it is free from noise and distractions. Do not study on the bed – this should be kept strictly for sleeping, and the brain needs to distinguish the difference between where one relaxes and where one works.

2. Organise Study Materials

Arrange textbooks, notes, and stationery in a neat and accessible manner. This will save time and help maintain focus during study sessions. It is a good idea to buy a Feint and Margin book for each subject early on so that study notes can be written in these.

3. Good Lighting & Ergonomics

Proper lighting is essential for effective studying. Make sure the study area is well-lit to reduce eye strain and help concentration. Use a comfortable chair and desk to support good posture. Proper ergonomics can reduce physical discomfort and enable longer study periods without fatigue.

4. Eliminate Distractions

Turn off mobiles, log out of social media, and eliminate any other distractions. Consider using website blockers and productivity apps or hand over cellphones to parents when study time has been scheduled. For some students, music without words can help them focus rather than be a distraction.

Tools to Help Prepare for Exams

In today's digital age, there are numerous tools available to aid students in their examination preparations. In our school at Abbotts JHB South, we have a Mathematics and Science application called AdvLearn which can be used by students to go back to prior content and to review content without supervision. Here are some others that students may find helpful:

1. Note-taking Apps

Digital note-taking apps like Evernote, OneNote, or Notion can help students organise study materials. They can create digital notebooks, take searchable notes, and access materials from any device.

2. Flashcard Apps

Apps like Anki, Quizlet, and Brainscape are excellent for creating and studying flashcards. They use spaced repetition to optimise memory retention.

3. Study Planners

Use digital or physical planners to schedule study sessions and set goals. Tools like Google Calendar or physical planners can help students stay organised and assist in managing their time effectively.

4. Online Learning Platforms

Take advantage of online learning platforms such as Khan Academy, Coursera, edX to access additional resources, video lessons, and practice exams related to student’s subjects. Online websites such as CrashCourse, YouTube channels and TED-Ed offer educational videos on various subjects that can complement student learning.

5. Revision Apps

Apps like Forest and Focus@Will can help improve focus and concentration during study sessions. They use techniques such as the Pomodoro method to structure study time, as well as scientifically optimised music to aid concentration.

6. Study Groups

Consider forming or joining a study group using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. Collaborative studying can help clarify doubts and reinforce understanding of the material. If managed correctly, peer tutoring is an excellent way to consolidate content.

Time Management and Consistency

Besides the right environment and tools, managing study time effectively and being consistent is crucial for success. Create a study schedule that includes breaks and stick to it. Set specific, achievable goals for each study session and track progress. Parental involvement is critical here for those students who tend to procrastinate.

Dealing with Procrastination

Procrastination can be a significant hurdle when it comes to preparing for end-of-year exams. In my teaching career, this, coupled with motivation, is the biggest determinant between success or failure. It is that nagging urge to put off studying until the last minute or finding endless distractions. Recognise that this is a common challenge for students and often stems from anxiety, lack of motivation, or poor time management. To combat procrastination, break study tasks into manageable, bite-sized pieces, set realistic deadlines, and rewards for achieving them. Find study techniques that keep students engaged, like the Pomodoro method. Overcoming procrastination is a key step towards effective exam preparation and success. Remember, preparing for end-of-year exams is not just about cramming information, but about understanding the material and retaining it in the long term.

In conclusion, creating a conducive study environment and leveraging the available tools can greatly enhance students’ exam preparations. Combine these resources with discipline, time management, and a positive mindset, and they’ll be well on their way to acing those end-of-year exams.

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF EDUCATION: RECOGNISING PRINCIPALS ON INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS DAY

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 06:46:15 GMT

In the bustling world of education, school principals often stand as the unsung heroes, who are mostly out of sight while quietly steering the ship of learning toward the shores of success. These dedicated leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the future of students and schools, yet their contributions often go unnoticed. On International Teachers Day, it is therefore worth considering the important role of principals, to shine a spotlight on their invaluable contribution.

First and foremost, school principals are the leaders whose vision sets the tone for the entire school community. They create an atmosphere of discipline, respect, and academic excellence. A strong principal inspires not only their staff but also the students to strive for greatness, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Principals are instrumental in the recruitment and development of educators. They seek out and hire passionate teachers who are dedicated to nurturing young minds. Furthermore, they provide ongoing support and professional development opportunities to help teachers refine their skills and stay updated with the latest educational trends. The result is a highly motivated and skilled teaching staff, directly benefiting students.

These educational heroes also manage the intricate web of daily school operations. From budgeting and resource allocation to discipline and safety, principals are the glue that holds the school together. Their attention to detail ensures that the school runs efficiently and safely, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: educating students.

School principals furthermore serve as the bridge between the school and the community. They engage parents, local organisations, and stakeholders to build strong partnerships that support student success. Principals are advocates for their schools, securing the necessary resources and support to meet the unique needs of their students.

In addition to their administrative duties, principals are often involved in curriculum development. They collaborate with teachers to design engaging and relevant learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles to empower students to reach their full potential.

Furthermore, school principals are champions of innovation in education. They stay abreast of emerging technologies and pedagogical approaches to enhance teaching and learning. By embracing innovation, principals inspire creativity among both students and staff members.

In conclusion, school principals are the unsung heroes of education, quietly working behind the scenes to ensure that every student has access to quality education. Their visionary leadership, dedication to student success, management skills, community engagement efforts, commitment to inclusivity, involvement in curriculum development, and promotion of innovation make them indispensable figures in shaping the future of education.

NAVIGATING THIRD TERM TURMOIL: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:39:18 GMT

In my almost two decades as an educational professional, I have witnessed a recurring pattern that I've come to call "Third Term Turmoil." This phenomenon typically occurs in the August/September period, where teenage disciplinary issues tend to peak. I've developed a theory to explain this pattern, which centers around seasonal changes and academic pressures. As spring arrives and summer break approaches, students become restless and eager for leisure, leading to decreased motivation for academic work and a surge in the desire for recreational activities.

Academically, the third term is when teachers finalise their curriculum and prepare for year-end examinations and assessments. The mounting pressure for students to excel can contribute to heightened stress and anxiety, often manifesting as behavioural issues in the classroom. Moreover, after months of intense academic and extracurricular activities, both students and teachers may experience fatigue, and plummeting levels of patience and tolerance, which can lead to further discipline problems. Changes in the daily routine, such as field trips and special events, also disrupt the classroom structure and exacerbate discipline issues.

While these observations are based on my experience, they reflect a common reality in many schools. Teachers often find themselves struggling to keep students motivated, manage incomplete work, and handle disruptive behavior.

The key question we must then address is how to prevent burnout, lack of motivation, and the resulting disciplinary challenges. To assist parents in navigating this challenging period and ensuring a smoother end to the school year, I offer several pointers for discussion with their children:

Goal Setting: Encourage your child to set clear academic and personal goals for the remaining school year. Concrete objectives can help maintain motivation.
Time Management: Teach your child effective time management skills to balance academic work, extracurricular activities, and leisure time.
Open Communication: Create an open and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable discussing challenges or concerns they may be facing at school.
Stress Management: Equip your child with stress-management techniques, such as mindfulness exercises or relaxation strategies, to cope with academic pressures.
Healthy Lifestyle: Promote a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep, as these factors play a crucial role in maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Reward System: Implement a reward system for accomplishing academic milestones or completing assignments promptly. This can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
Seek Support: If discipline issues persist or escalate, consider involving teachers, school counselors, or other professionals who can provide guidance and support.

Parents play a pivotal role in fostering positive behaviour, respect for teachers, and discouraging substance use among their children. Here are additional pointers for parents to guide their children on how to behave at school and cope with stress:

Respect for Teachers and Peers: Teach your child the importance of showing respect to their teachers and classmates. This includes active listening, politeness, and courtesy.
Responsibility for Their Actions: Encourage your child to take responsibility for their behavior at school, understanding that actions have consequences.
Conflict Resolution Skills: Equip your child with effective conflict resolution skills and teach them to communicate concerns or disagreements respectfully.
Anti-Bullying Awareness: Discuss the significance of standing up against bullying and supporting classmates who may be victims. Teach your child to make independent, informed choices and develop assertiveness skills.
Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Encourage stress relief through sports, art, or music while discouraging substance use.
Drug and Alcohol Education: Have honest conversations about the risks associated with substance use, providing accurate information.
Lead by Example: Be a role model by demonstrating respectful behaviour, healthy coping strategies, and responsible decision-making.
Monitor Online Activity: Keep an eye on your child's online activities to ensure they are not exposed to harmful influences. Maintain regular conversations with your child about their school experiences and emotional well-being.

By incorporating these pointers into your parenting approach, you can guide your child toward responsible behaviour, respect for teachers and peers, and a healthy approach to managing stress. Open communication and a supportive environment are key elements in promoting positive behaviours and well-rounded development.

SUBJECT CHOICES: DO THEY STILL MATTER IN THE LONG RUN?

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:05:55 GMT

It is not uncommon that high school learners are uncertain about their careers and subject choices. If one were to ask Grade 1 learners what they would aspire to become when they grow up, you will be met by an enthusiastic choir shouting: pilot, astronaut, police officer, and so forth. Many will instantly express a career choice. By contrast, many high school students will have little or no response to the same question, as the reality of life after school hits home.

In my experience, the most common answer is “I’m not sure” or even “I have no idea”. This is not completely surprising, because there are so many career paths and jobs to choose from. We are often training students for careers that are still emerging and do not even exist yet.

We must also be mindful that the majority of people change their minds about a career several times. It is also not uncommon that people change jobs, but it has also become more common for people to move between careers and industries. The days of 20 year services awards at companies are a thing of the past, with many businesses only awarding 5 years (and even 3 years) long service incentives these days.

Subject choices – assisting your child to make the best choices now

Within this milieu of uncertainty, subject choices remain important as they are linked to tertiary admission requirements and ultimately careers. We are reaching that point in the Grade 9 academic year where learners will have to make their subject choices. These subject choices are generally locked in for the 3 years in the Further Education and Training phase (Grade 10 to 12). Most schools do not allow subject changes beyond Grade 10, adding to the weight of getting the choice right.

However, a learner has the right to change subjects in Grade 10 (generally a maximum of 2) and even change 1 subject in Grade 11.

Parents have to consider a number of things in helping their children to select subjects for the Further Education and Training phase:

The aptitude and interest or passion of your child. Let’s play to the strength of our children.
Career choice and admission requirements from tertiary institutions. Do your research.
Listen to your child’s desire.
Consult with the school if clarity is required.

Parents and students are encouraged to consult with their school’s Life Orientation teachers, the Academic Head (usually the deputy principal), School counsellors and other teachers with regards to subject choice. Most schools invite Grade 9 parents and their students to school for subject choice discussions prior to the selection. Tertiary institutions also have student consultants who can offer helpful advice and guidance with regards to subjects aligned to the various qualifications students may be interested in pursuing.

Unfortunately, too many students still do not align their subject choices with their strengths, which means there is little return on investment for the time spent in those subjects that do not come naturally to them. This makes them unhappy and erode their confidence and self-esteem. Conversely, those who have selected subjects that they are passionate about, enjoy their studies – they excel and are happy.

This is why it is important to consider a school with a wide subject choice. Most schools may limit students to streams like Art, Science or Commerce. However, at Abbotts College students can choose electives across various streams giving them more options for the future.

HOW TO UNLEASH CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH ART EDUCATION

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:12:02 GMT

Most good schools, whether public or private, incorporate art into their curricula – especially during the primary school years. This subject sometimes has the reputation for being the class where you can take a break from the ‘real work’, which is why its importance as a developmental tool for critical thinking isn’t well understood.

But parents and teachers can use art to the great advantage of the child, if they know how important its role is and how to practically go about art education and appreciation, an education expert says.

“Art incorporates all the important factors required in critical thinking – observation, reflection, interpretation and application,” says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head: Schools Division at ADvTECH, SA’s leading private education provider.

“Parents of younger children know this scenario well: your child arrives home with a piece of art, you praise them for their good work, stick the artwork on the fridge, and move on. However, by taking some more time discussing what went into the construction of the work, parents can gain invaluable insight into their child’s thinking, as well as develop their ability to communicate their thinking,” she says.

Hugo advises parents to ask their children specific questions about their artwork, for instance “what is that you drew there?”, “why did you decide to do this?”, “why did you choose these colours?”.

“When you hear their explanations as to their thoughts, it gives you a window into their world and elevates their work from just another pretty piece to a connection and discussion opportunity. It’s important that parents take the time and make the effort to do that,” Hugo says.

Teachers should also aim to guide students to create observational art if they want to develop critical thinking capacity.

“If you ask someone to draw a flower, they’ll typically draw that one we all do from memory, with the circle in the middle, the little arches around the circle, and a stem with perhaps a leaf or two. But if you put a flower in front of the child along with a magnifying glass and ask them to draw what they see, you are going to find they do a greater dive into deep observation,” says Hugo.

4 PRACTICAL WAYS TO USE ART TO DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

1) OPEN-ENDED ART PROJECTS

Provide opportunities and materials for students to freely express themselves without tight guidance or direction on expected outcomes or deliverables. This helps them assess the tools at their disposal, use their imagination and problem-solving skills, and hone their craftsmanship.

2) ARTISTIC ANALYSIS

Expose students to a wide range of art and lead in-depth discussions about their observations. What do they think the artist was thinking, why do they think certain choices were made in creating the artwork, how does the art make them feel, what do they see in the art? This develops their visual processing skills, linking them up to their analytical skills.

3) COMBINE ART AND STORIES

Extend the art lesson by tasking students with developing stories based on their work. These stories can include characters and character development, plotlines, and inspiration for follow-up art.

4) COMBINE ART AND ACADEMICS

Maths problems have long been approached by drawing a simple sketch of the problem at hand. This can be extended to various other subjects, by asking students to create a visual representation of the matter before them, as well as their proposed solution. This helps them visualise the problem and helps with brainstorming all while exercising creative muscles.

“Imagine believing that children have the ability to express themselves in more than one way. Now times that by 100, if they are given the tools and encouragement to extend their potential range,” says Hugo.

She notes that Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach, described the "infinite ways that children can express, explore, and connect their thoughts, feelings and imaginings” as follows: “These languages (the Hundred Languages of Children) are symbolic and are open to the endless potentials in children. They believe in the potential of a child's ability to wonder. It is the belief that there are "multiple ways of seeing and multiple ways of being."

“A high quality, holistic academic offering will consider this approach to all learning, to ensure students build critical thinking skills, while being offered opportunities to inquire and develop creative theories.”The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

EFFORT RATINGS: WHAT ARE THEY & HOW SHOULD YOU USE THEM WHEN DISCUSSING REPORTS?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:07:03 GMT

Effort Ratings: What are they & how should you use them when discussing reports?

Part of the ethos of Abbotts Colleges is to develop a strong sense of responsibility, integrity and a mature work ethic in our students to equip them for tertiary education, the world of work and LIFE.

In an effort to instil these values and practices, Abbotts Colleges include an effort rating per subject on each Mark Reading Report. The effort ratings are an indication of a student’s:

· attitude to their work,

· their behaviour and attitude in the classroom,

· the effort they put into their homework and preparing for assessments, and

· punctuality.

It is possible for a student to achieve good marks in a subject but achieve a poor effort rating. Although this is not the norm, a student may do well in assessments but have a negative attitude, be disruptive in class or arrive late for lessons.

The opposite is also true. A student can achieve a poor mark alongside a good effort rating. Students could be putting effort into their work, always completing homework exercises, be paying attention in class and be on time for all lessons but may still struggle with some work or possibly not have an aptitude for the subject.

It is important for parents to discuss their child’s mark reading reports with them. High effort ratings, despite low marks are reason for celebration and praise as the student is trying hard and displaying a mature work ethic.

Low effort ratings are cause for concern. Guidance and, where appropriate, a reprimand from the parents may be needed. Parents need to partner with their child’s teachers to assist the student in adopting and cementing good practice when it comes to attitude and effort. This will equip the child for future academic endeavours.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: A CRUCIAL INGREDIENT FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 08:49:58 GMT

Parents and guardians play a vital role in the overall development and academic growth of their children during their educational journey. However, in today's world, despite an increased need for parental support and involvement, many parents find it challenging to fulfil this role due to various reasons including, but not limited to, time constraints, lack of knowledge about modern school curricula, and personal or work-related circumstances.

But parental involvement isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition – either one is part of a child’s journey or not – because there are various small ways in which a parent can become a valuable pillar of support and encouragement for their child, which can make a huge difference even with limited but consistent investments of time and effort, an education expert says.

“Parental involvement is essential for a child on all levels, including academic achievement, and it is undeniable that children whose parents or guardians support them in their educational journey have a stronger foundation for academic performance, positive learning experiences, and personal growth,” says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head: Schools Division at ADvTECH, SA’s leading private education provider.

“Nonetheless, and very understandably so, many parents struggle to strike a healthy balance between their daily obligations and work responsibilities while also providing the necessary support and encouragement their children need on their academic journey.

“Fortunately, being involved doesn't require parents to drop the other balls. Even small but consistent connections to School, can make a significant difference in their child's educational success and emotional wellbeing,” she says.

Maintaining open lines of communication is crucial, Hugo says.

“Parents should ensure that they receive and stay informed about all school communications. If any issues arise, prompt communication with the school can address these matters before they escalate into more significant challenges.

“Additionally, parents should engage in daily conversations with their child, to understand their experiences, both positive and negative. This simple practice requires minimal time but provides valuable insight into potential challenges, enabling parents to stay proactive regarding their child's performance and well-being while also staying connected to what is happening in their lives.”

Whenever possible, parents should participate in school activities and events. Where schools organise events such as parent-teacher conferences, school fairs and sports matches, making the time to attend these activities periodically, demonstrates interest in and appreciation for the importance of a child's educational journey and holistic development as part of a larger learning community.

Maintaining a positive attitude towards the educational journey is also essential, says Hugo.

Students benefit from having supportive structures in place as part of their daily routine that are conducive to learning. Parents can help create a positive atmosphere and should where possible provide a dedicated space for studying that is quiet and comfortable.

“Children often feel anxious and overwhelmed by their studies, making it crucial for parents to remain positive and encouraging, even during challenging times.”

“In addition to providing logistical support, parents should also help their children develop a growth mindset and a love for learning. Encouraging curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, as well as assisting them in setting realistic and achievable goals, can foster their academic and personal growth.”

Celebrating progress and offering constructive feedback and guidance in the face of setbacks are more effective approaches than dwelling on failures, Hugo says.

“Regularly acknowledge and celebrate the child's effort and progress instead of focusing solely on outcomes and grades.”

Beyond facilitating improved academic and personal growth, parental involvement also lays the groundwork for stronger parent-child relationships.

“Even small acts of involvement can lead to enhanced academic performance, positive behaviour, higher self-esteem, and a closer bond between parent and child.”

EXAM PREP 101: GOOD LOGISTICS EQUAL GREAT PERFORMANCE

Wed, 31 May 2023 13:43:19 GMT

GOOD LOGISTICS EQUAL GREAT PERFORMANCE

Exam season can be a very stressful time for students. In addition to the actual work of preparing for each paper, stress and anxiety can create additional hurdles, which can lead to mental blocks and a drop in performance unrelated to how prepared a student is.

However, by sorting out the logistics of writing, much of this stress can be removed, to ensure that students perform to the best of their ability.

Mignonne Gerli, Principal: Abbotts College Pretoria East has compiled a list of helpful guidelines for students to prepare beyond subject revision to ensure they are positioned well to perform on exam day.

She advises the following:

BEFORE THE EXAM

Most people fear missing an exam because they get the day or time wrong. Truly the stuff of literal nightmares! To avoid this, stick a copy of your exam somewhere you can’t miss it, and have a photo of the timetable on your phone for quick reference.
Ensure that you know what is tested in the various papers, e.g. what must you study for English Paper I and what must you study for English Paper II?
Make sure that you have at least 3 blue pens on hand for the exam, preferably the same type of pen to avoid your handwriting looking different if you change pens.
Make sure that you have the required stationery and gadgets, e.g. a non-programmable calculator for Mathematics and a protractor and compass for Mathematics or Geography.
Have a ruler to draw your right-hand marker’s margin.
Be sure to get enough sleep and get up early enough to ensure that you are not late for your exam. Have everything you will need ready the night before.
Be at school at least 15 minutes before the start of your exam. This will help you relax and enter the exam venue with a clear head.
Avoid contact with fellow students who cause stress before an exam – those who ask if you’ve studied this section and who talk about how difficult the exam is going to be (they don’t have a crystal ball and you’ve studied so you’ve got this!).
Do not talk about the exam or cram just before writing the exam. You have studied, so when you get to school talk about other things, like what you are planning to do during the holiday, a series you are really enjoying, your hobby that is sucking you in… anything but the exam! You need to be as relaxed as possible when you enter the exam venue.
You need to be as comfortable as can be when you are writing so ensure that you eat something healthy and drink water before the exam, also go to the bathroom before you enter the exam venue.
Avoid energy drinks and energy supplements, as they will give you energy for a brief period of time and then you will experience an energy crash, leaving you tired and without energy. Rather take a good vitamin B supplement that will get your nerve endings firing properly and help you to relax and sleep well.

DURING THE EXAM

Our brains are amazing but can be easily fooled. When we go down a spiral of self-doubt our brains go into panic mode and prepare for “fight or flight” mode. This is when some students experience a mental block and suddenly, they can recall nothing of what they have studied. This must be avoided at all costs.

To avoid panic and mental blocks during the exam try the following: Start by answering all the questions you know the answer to and skip over the questions you are unsure of. This helps you in two ways:

Firstly, you are not wasting time on the questions you do not know the answers to so you are able to get to the end of the paper and answer questions you are guaranteed marks for – which you would not have got to answer if you ran out of time because you sat too long on questions you could not answer at the time.
Secondly, you will avoid panic and mental block by moving on and gaining positive momentum as your brain starts sending the signal that you’ve got this. This builds confidence and, once you have worked through all the questions you could answer with ease, you then go back to the ones you were unsure of. Most likely you will now find that you are able to answer most of them.

If there are still questions you do not know how to answer, take an educated guess. Think of what makes sense to you based on what you know and can recall. Leaving the answer blank guarantees a zero but writing an answer could give you a mark or three.
Be aware of the time and allow enough time for each section of the paper. If the paper contains an essay type question, allow enough time to write the essay. Remember that getting half-way through an essay may get you 60% of the essay mark but not starting will get you zero.
Read the questions carefully and, where the question is scaffolded, be sure to answer each part of the question. If you are one of those people who tends to only answer part of a question, tick off each part you have answered to ensure that you give the full answer.
Look at the mark allocation, this will act as a guide as to how much detail your answer needs to contain. Don’t overwrite or underwrite – a 1-mark question will usually not require a 4-line answer and a 4-mark question will usually require more than a 2-line answer.

“Some solid advice – try to enjoy each paper you are writing, keeping in mind that you are testing your knowledge and skills,” says Gerli.

“Exams help you determine which areas need more attention for future exams and confirm which knowledge you have firmly under your belt. And remember, where there are exams, holidays follow. Work hard for now and look forward to the restful holiday period that is just around the corner.”

Mignonne Gerli

THE WHY AND HOW OF REALISTIC GOAL SETTING

Thu, 04 May 2023 12:35:12 GMT

THE WHY AND HOW OF REALISTIC GOAL SETTING

The importance of school students setting realistic goals should not be underestimated. If your child has not yet set goals for the year, now is the time to do so without delay!

Without clear goals we do not have anything tangible that we are working towards, we are just floating along without any real direction. Few people experience success, or the realisation of their dreams, by accident.

I am sure many of us can recall the experience of having to set goals at the start of a school year when we were younger. How many of us just wrote a few goals down to appease teachers and parents, never to look at or think of them again? For most, this was a pointless exercise, often drawn from the realm of fantasy as we did not consider where we had ended academically, culturally or on the sports field the year before, or the amount of effort we put into our academics, sports or cultural activities.

Some may have set a goal to play First Team Soccer, Rugby, Netball or Hockey, but were in the D Team the year before, all while training as hard as we could. Not a very realistic goal and one that is sure to set one up for disappointment and failure.

Our first assessment task for Life Orientation at Abbotts College PTA East this year, from Grade 8 to 12, was a reflection and goalsetting task. As I am fully aware of the way many people view goal setting exercises, my second assembly of the year spoke to the importance of goal setting and offered students clear guidelines on how they can set realistic goals. It is my hope that many of our students chose to spend time reflecting on their achievements, or lack thereof, last year and spent time setting meaningful, realistic goals for themselves, which they revisit regularly.

Goals are vitally important as they guide our choices and our actions as we move forward through life. A clear career goal, for example pursuing a career where a degree in Computer Science is a prerequisite, will guide a student’s subject choices in Grade 9 and will spur the student on to work hard to achieve the marks and AP Score required for acceptance to the course.

Often it is the students who are unsure of what they would like to pursue as a career in (what seems to them) the distant future, who do not set academic goals for themselves when at school and do the bare minimum as their future is unclear.

It is normal for students not to have a clue as to what career they wish to pursue, but they must not let this discourage them from setting clear academic goals for themselves. They need to focus on achieving academic success so that they have as many tertiary educational doors open to them as possible, for when they do decide what career and tertiary studies they wish to pursue.

Here are a few tips for realistic goal setting for those of you who have set goals at the start of the year, but have not considered them again, and those of you who have not set goals for yourselves in a while:

1. Set clear goals. The less ambiguous, the more likely you are to work towards achieving them, e.g. I want to improve my Life Sciences mark by at least 7% next term, from 68% to 75%.

2. Have a clear plan as to how you will set about achieving your goals, e.g. I will ask questions in class when I do not understand, I will do all my homework and I will make study notes and revise my work once a week.

3. Ensure your goals are realistic, yet challenging. This requires reflection and honesty with yourself, e.g. if I put effort into my Life Sciences last term, doing all my homework, making study notes and revising my work regularly, then I should aim for a 5% improvement in my marks for the following term and I plan to put extra time into the subject. If I wanted to improve by 10% or more, I can attend extra lessons or get a tutor for one-on-one support. If I put very little effort into the subject, I can set a goal of improving by a minimum of 10%, planning to do all my homework, make study notes and revise my work once a week. Don’t make your goals too easy to achieve, it isn’t a real goal then and you are giving yourself permission to coast, going nowhere slowly.

4. Be committed to attaining your goals. Without commitment, you will lose focus and will not work towards achieving your goal. A goal without commitment is basically a New Year’s resolution, destined to fail.

5. Make yourself accountable by sharing your goals with someone you trust, who is sure to check up on your progress. We tend to keep working towards achieving our goals when we have shared them with someone.

6. Lastly, you need to keep adjusting your goals lest you stagnate. It is dangerous to think you “have arrived”! This will prevent further growth and achievement. When you have achieved your goal, you need to adjust your goal to achieve even more. It may be shifting the goalposts, e.g. I now want to achieve 82% for Life Sciences, once I have achieved 75%. It may be setting new goals. What would I like to focus on and achieve next?

Happy Goal Setting!

GOALSETTING & ACADEMIC OUTCOMES: HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD FLOURISH

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:31:08 GMT

GOALSETTING & ACADEMIC OUTCOMES: HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD FLOURISH

There are few tools as valuable as setting goals and constantly measuring a student’s progress against these goals in ensuring a successful academic journey, an education expert says.

However, it is not enough to have vaguely defined ideas of what success will look like down the line. Instead, parents, students, teachers, and schools must have a coherent goal/measurement strategy in place from early in a child’s school career, says Desiree Hugo, Academic Head at ADvTECH’s Schools Division.

“Setting goals is an important part of a student’s educational journey. It helps them stay focused, motivated, and on track to achieving their academic and personal aspirations,” she says.

Hugo says setting clearly defined goals which are regularly reviewed, helps students manage their priorities and build confidence.

“When students have a clear goal in mind, they are more likely to stay focused and motivated. It gives them something to work towards, along with a sense of accomplishment and positive momentum once a goal is achieved.

“Setting goals also allows students to prioritise tasks and manage their time effectively, so they can focus on what is important and avoid getting side-tracked.”

In addition, goalsetting helps with decision-making.

“When you have a clear goal in mind, it’s easier to make decisions that align with that goal. Students can evaluate their options based on whether they will help or hinder progress.”

Most importantly, students themselves must take ownership of the process, with the support of their teachers, school and parents.

“Students must be placed front and centre when it comes to setting and tracking goals. That is why we have introduced Student-Led conferences - what in the past would have been called parent-teacher meetings. Instead of parents meeting alone with teachers to receive feedback, all three parties including the student now sit together. And then the student provides an update of their performance and progress in line with their personal plan.”

Hugo says that while the student takes ownership of their personal academic map, schools and parents play an important role in helping them navigate in the following ways:

· Providing guidance on how to set goals that are realistic and achievable, and helping students create action plans.

· Providing the resources required on the way to achieving those goals, including additional support where required.

· Regular scheduled check-ins, where goals are monitored, discussed, and updated if necessary so that students remain accountable and empowered.

· Creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration.

“In today’s highly competitive environment, cruise control won’t suffice in ensuring a student leaves school with a competitive advantage. The practice of goalsetting should be developed from early in a student’s academic journey – starting with setting small goals and leading to the important ones,” says Hugo.

“This helps students focus and maintain their direction, and provides intrinsic motivation as they strive to get to the next step, and then the next one and the next one in pursuit of their dreams.”

ENDS

ABOUT ADvTECH The ADvTECH Group, a JSE-listed company, is Africa’s largest private education provider and a continental leader in quality education, training, skills development, and placement services. The Group reports its performance in a segmental structure reflecting the Schools and Tertiary as two separate education divisions, and Resourcing as the third division. ADvTECH’s Schools division comprises 9 brands with more than 108 schools across South Africa and the rest of Africa, including Gaborone International School in Botswana, and The Makini Group of Schools and Crawford International in Kenya.

It owns 9 tertiary brands, across 32 campuses across South Africa and the rest of Africa. ADvTECH’s 8 resourcing brands place thousands of candidates annually, assisting graduates to make the transition from the world of study to the world of work.

WISHING OUR PRETORIA-EAST COMMUNITY WELL FOR 2023

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:15:50 GMT

Dear fellow Pretoria-East Community Members,

I hope you enjoyed a restful and joyful time over the festive period, with those of you who worked through December still managing to enjoy quality time with family and friends during the public holidays. May 2023 be a year filled with peace and the successful accomplishment of goals, while we all hope that our economy becomes more stable. I wish you and your family all the best for 2023.

The start of a new year is one filled with new year’s resolutions for countless people (many of whom have probably already broken a resolution or two. Never mind, just keep going!). It is a time of reflection for most, where we look back on our successes and failures, joys and sorrows of the year gone by. The new year marks the possibility of a fresh start, the turning over of a new leaf in some instances and a sense of hope and possibility for the year ahead.

For those of you with children at school and for the older students, I would like to share a few points to consider in order to start the year off well, and keep going strong until the end:

Aim to have all the stationery and textbooks that are required at the start of the school year.
Create and/or maintain a routine for bedtime, wakeup time and homework, including time for leisure and relaxation.
Older students should set academic goals for themselves, based on their achievements the previous year and what they want to or need to achieve in 2023 for their future academic success.
Ensure that students get enough sleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, children aged 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9 12 hours per 24 hours and teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 hours.
Children, including teenagers, should have their mobiles on silent or off when they go to sleep, to avoid the temptation of late-night communication with friends, which leaves them exhausted during the day. If need be, have a routine where phones are left charging in the kitchen or put away in one place. Many children and teenagers struggle with self-control when it comes to parting with their devices at night, which has huge repercussions when it comes to their ability to focus and function at school. Stricter parental control may be necessary within some homes.
Managing homework and study can be extremely stressful for parents and children alike. Try to develop a partnership where parents assume a supportive role and where children assume responsibility and take ownership of their homework and studies. As far as possible, use positive reinforcement rather than punitive measures to encourage your children to achieve to the best of their ability. Punitive measures tend to have a negative effect on children’s interest in their schoolwork and their attitude towards their studies, leaving them with negative feelings towards their educational journey (and causing untold unhappiness and frustration in the home). If you are at your wits’ end, enlist the assistance of your child’s teachers and, where appropriate, the help of an Educational Psychologist.

Finally, I wish all students and their parents the very best for the 2023 academic year. May you rise to the challenges and enjoy the good times.

HOW TO GUIDE ON MAKING THE RIGHT SUBJECT CHOICES WITH YOUR GRADE 9 CHILD

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 11:36:49 GMT

By Mignonne Gerli – Abbotts College Pretoria-East

The idea of having to choose subjects for the final phase of a child’s schooling career can be daunting, especially as these choices determine a child’s options for tertiary studies.

Although it might sound like the easy way out to drop subjects that a student least enjoys, many parents and their children do not know which subjects are required for specific degrees or diplomas for tertiary study, which is totally understandable as they do not operate in the field of Education.

Here are a few guidelines that can assist parents and students in making wise decisions when it comes to subject choices.

Interest and Aptitude tests

Grade 9 is a key milestone in a student’s journey to completing Grade 12. Most private schools and some government schools get their students to complete Interest and Aptitude tests in order to guide both student and parent with subject choices.

On completion of the test, an individualised report which indicates students’ interests, as well as their aptitude for certain subjects, is sent to the parent. The report may also indicate possible career options based on the results of the test. It is important to remember that these results act as a guide and are not set in stone.

If your child’s school does not offer this service and you are unsure of your child’s interests and aptitude for subjects like Mathematics, I suggest that you approach an Educational Psychologist to administer Interest and Aptitude tests to help guide your decisions.

Subject Choice Information Evenings

Many students do not know the difference between the subject choice of Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy and the criteria and entry requirements when wanting to pursue tertiary study. Schools host subject choice evenings to inform parents about the various options available to their children.

At these information sessions, schools should explain what is required to study Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degrees, Bachelor of Education (Bed) degrees and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees.

Often subjects that students are not exposed to in the previous grades are explained, such as Computer Application Technology (CAT); Engineering, Graphics and Design (EGD); Information Technology (IT) and Design Art versus Visual Arts.

I would advise you to attend these information sessions and if you need further assistance, make an appointment to meet with the Academic Head / Deputy Principal or school Educational Psychologist

Do your own research

Taking your child’s interests and aptitude into account as well as where he/she may pursue further study, use your trusted “friend” Google to find the faculty and course information online booklets for the various institutions you are considering.

Look at what the subject requirements and Admission Point Score (AP Score) are for the courses your child may be interested in (make him/her part of the research process for buy-in).

It is truly devastating, and a travesty, when students get to Grade 12 and start applying to universities and private colleges, to only then find out that their subject choices do not allow them entry into their desired courses.

This is why it is vital that schools educate parents and students regarding subject choices and opportunities available based on subject choices. Mathematics is a must for a BCom degree and Mathematics and Physical Sciences are a must for a BSc degree for example.

It is equally important for parents and students to do their own research as the various tertiary institutions have different requirements and different ways of applying the AP Score.

The big question - Should my child offer Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy?

This is a common question and one that parents and students grapple with when it comes to subject choice. It is important to consider the following:

Does my child enjoy Mathematics?

Mathematics is a subject that requires many hours of practice and consolidation weekly. If a student does not enjoy the subject, the chances are good that he/she will neglect the subject and do the bare minimum when it comes to homework (which will reflect in the marks).

Does my child have an aptitude for Mathematics?

If a child does not have an aptitude for Mathematics, he/she will struggle and achieve low marks, despite the effort the student puts into the subject. This may lead to a child feeling that he/she is not intelligent and create issues with self-confidence in general. Nothing can be further from the truth though, we have different areas of strength when it comes to intellect. Not everyone is good at Maths.

Does my child require Mathematics for the course/s he/she is interested in?

This is a tough one, as a student who does not have the attitude for Mathematics may need it for the tertiary degree he/she wishes to study.

My advice would be to listen to the advice given by the school as they work with this type of situation year on year.

It may be that your child needs to try Mathematics, with you enlisting the assistance of a private tutor for additional one-on-one weekly lessons or that your child will need to consider the courses offered in the BA faculty or Bed faculty that do not require Mathematics, there are a diverse number of courses that are offered as Bachelor of Arts degrees, such as BA Law and BA Psychology.

If you look at the course requirements for BCom and BSc degrees, the minimum requirement is usually 50% for Mathematics, with higher results required for engineering and medical degrees for example.

Important to note

Mathematical Literacy is an excellent subject and very practical in nature. Students will apply what they learn throughout their lives. It is a good choice when Mathematics is not required for what your child is planning to study at a tertiary level.

Another big question – Must my child offer Physical Sciences?

The answer is simple, if your child is planning to pursue courses that fall within the Bachelor of Science realm, such as engineering, medicine, veterinary sciences, genetics and so forth, then he/she must offer Physical Sciences.

Again, you need to consider your child’s aptitude for the subject as the minimum requirement for most BSc courses is a mark above 60% for Physical Sciences, with even higher results required for certain courses. Please note that a student must offer Mathematics if they wish to offer Physical Sciences.

It is saddening to have students suffer for three years, offering subjects for which they do not have the aptitude that will see them excluded from their desired field of study or, even worse, not qualify for a Bachelor Degree Pass or fail the year because Mathematics and Physical Sciences are not for them. It is far better for such students to offer subjects in which they excel, giving them high AP Scores that ensure entry into BA and BEd courses where Mathematics and Physical Sciences are not required.

Students are not stuck with the choices they make in Grade 9

Fortunately, the subject choices made in Grade 9 are not those that a student must offer until the end of Grade 12.

Students may swop subjects in Grade 10 and 11 (and even the start of Grade 12 in some instances) if it is educationally sound to do so. Students usually swop Mathematics for Mathematical Literacy and Physical Sciences for another subject, but other changes also occur.

Have you already made your subject choices, but would like to reconsider?

It is not too late. Schools differ as to when they want parents to submit their subject choices, this is for planning purposes for the following year. You should still be able to change your choices after the November examinations, unless certain subjects have reached capacity (full CAT and IT classes for example).

When in doubt, reach out to your school for assistance. You are not alone on this journey towards tertiary studies.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A HIGH SCHOOL FOR MY CHILD

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 08:23:07 GMT

How do I choose a high school for my child?!

Many parents find the process of finding the right school for their child rather daunting, there are, however, the preliminary question they need to consider and answer in order to make an informed decision “What do I need to look for?” “What questions do I need to ask?” “How will I know a particular school is the right choice for my child?”

A few things to consider when choosing a school for your child are:

Are you looking for a private or public school?

If you are looking for a public school, the choice of schools is largely determined by your online application and the fact that the Department of Education determines where your child will be placed based on availability and proximity to the nearest school.

If you are looking for a private school, you have a wider selection of schools to choose from, but you still need to consider a number of things when making your choice.

What are you able to afford?

In South Africa, we have thousands of private schools, with prices ranging from as little as R 2000 a month to fees scaling up to R 12 500 a month, boarding fees excluded.

It is important to choose school fees within your affordability bracket, as private schools will not keep a student if his/her account is in arrears, and you will struggle to place your child elsewhere midyear due to unpaid fees. You will possibly also face blacklisting and legal action from the school.

Is the school registered with the Provincial Department of Education and is it accredited by Umalusi, or in the process of being accredited by Umalusi?

Private schools offering the CAPs curriculum, whether writing the Department of Education (DBE) or Independent Examination Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate examinations at the end of Grade 12, must be registered with the DBE and must either be accredited by Umalusi or be in the process of being accredited.

If you are considering enrolling your child in a school that offers the Cambridge curriculum, you need to ensure that they are currently registered with Cambridge International or in the process of reregistration, if their current registration has expired.

How does the school assist parents and students in the all-important process of choosing elective subjects at the end of Grade 9?

Parents and students need guidance when it comes to choosing subjects at the end of Grade 9. Lack of knowledge may lead to incorrect subject choices, which will close certain fields of study when moving to tertiary education. Life Sciences is valuable when planning to study Medicine, but Physical Sciences is a prerequisite, for example.

It is important to choose a school that offers guidance in the form of career expos, subject choice information sessions, and interest & aptitude tests to assist both students and parents with this important decision.

Is a traditional or non-traditional school suited to my child’s needs and interests?

Students who enjoy team sport and want to play it at school level, rather than at club level will benefit from attending a traditional school where sport is offered. It is important to check that your child’s sport is in fact offered at the prospective schools and at what level they participate if this is important to you.

Parents and students who enjoy a more rigid school environment, where there are grooming and uniform rules that clearly guide a student’s appearance, should consider a traditional school.

Where parents and students do not see the value in strict rules that determine dress code but prefer that students determine their own sense of dress and appearance, they should consider non-traditional schools where students are not required to wear a uniform or adhere to strict hair and jewellery rules

Ascertain whether the traditional or non-traditional schools you are considering have a strong academic focus, rather than a stronger focus on sport, if your priority is academic support and success.

The main things to remember are:

Consider what you are looking for in a school.
Pre-set questions you can ask when visiting prospective schools.
Attend schools’ open days.
Start your search as early as possible.
If you have not started your search yet, start now.

By Mignonne Gerli – Abbotts College Pretoria-East

NON-TRADITIONAL SCHOOLING: MYTHS & MISPERCEPTIONS

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 11:50:00 GMT

According to CollegeRaptor (USA), non-traditional (alternative) schools “were first introduced as a way to help students who could not fit into the regular school system because of various behavioural problems”.

Colleges in South Africa in the 1980s had a reputation for being senior high schools for those students that no traditional mainstream school would accept. Those who attended College were often stereotyped as troublemakers, who were probably expelled from their traditional schools by those who attended traditional schools (as well as their parents).

Looking back, this may have been true in a few cases, but surely this was not true for all students. Were many not merely trying to find their place because they could not conform to the rigid, strict, at times non-sensical rules found in traditional schools in South Africa at the time?

Not much can be done to change perceptions regarding non-traditional schools in the 80s, but sadly some people remain uninformed to this day, which means too many students lose out on the opportunity to attend a school that is a better fit for them than a regular mainstream school.

Abbotts College was founded in 1971, and for over four decades, it was a non-traditional school that catered for Senior High School (Grades 10-12) students only.

Teaching at traditional high schools for many years, I recall several Grade 9 students eagerly awaiting the opportunity to attend Abbotts College at the start of their FET school journey each year.

I experienced firsthand that the students who left to attend the non-traditional school, Abbotts College, were not those with behavioural problems but rather those who think outside the box, are creative and open-minded and, yes, those who don’t love uniform and hair rules.

Fortunately, students no longer need to wait for Grade 10 to attend a school where they feel at home. Abbotts Colleges have been welcoming Grade 8 and 9 students onto their campuses for the past six years.

Abbotts Colleges are safe spaces where students get to “just be” and become fully self-actualised and empowered in a supportive environment.

So what is a non-traditional school in the mainstream schooling space?

Currently, there are a variety of schools which fall within the non-traditional (alternative) schooling space. These vary from small schools offering homeschooling curricula to online schools to Abbotts Colleges which offer the CAPS curriculum for their full-time students and whose students will be writing the Independent Examination Boards (IEB) National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations as of 2023.

Choosing a non-traditional school

When choosing a non-traditional school, parents need to ensure that the school is accredited and that the curriculum offered is accepted by South African universities and private tertiary institutions as well as universities outside of our borders. Several “fly-by-night” schools are not operating in an educationally sound way and are not accredited by Umalusi or the necessary accreditation boards.

Abbotts Colleges fall within a unique brand of mainstream non-traditional (alternative) schools as they are non-traditional for several reasons:

Students do not wear uniforms, and they do not need to comply with restrictive hair or jewelry rules, as these do not influence a student’s academic performance.
Students receive not 3 or 4 but 7 reports a year. The more regular formal reporting allows for more continuous academic tracking by parents. This is besides intervention communication outside of formal reporting time.
Students attend homework classes Mondays to Thursdays, where they do their homework and can approach their subject teachers for assistance during this time.
Teachers are also available until 20:00 to assist students who are struggling to grasp the work.
The school does not offer co-curricular activities, choosing to focus on academic support, improvement and achievement. Students participate in club sports and join private cultural groups.

Non-traditional schools offer an alternative to traditional schooling and allow for self-expression and a celebration of students’ individuality.

MID-TERM EXAM TIPS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Thu, 26 May 2022 09:54:11 GMT

As parents or guardians, most of us work long, exhausting days. We understand that with the price of food, petrol, school fees etcetera, work is a given – if we are fortunate enough to be employed - and this is not something we are ever going to change. The downside is that hard work often leaves us with very little time for anything else. As parents, we often feel guilty that we seem to have so little time with our children. Added to this, we often put pressure on our children to somehow perform, using their report cards as a measure of their effort and intelligence.

Many parents trust that teachers are in control simply because they don’t themselves have the extra bandwidth to step into academic support mode after a long day at work. Additionally, we often resort to pressuring our children, whether it be through threats, bribes, or encouragement to circumvent a bad report after examinations. Let’s be honest, not all children are those gorgeous self-starters, in the Top 20 at school who just seem to ‘get on with it’ and never seem to need the parental pressures that so many of us have to use on our children.

Most schools’ second term comprise those mid-year examinations where this pressure can bring added anxiety and chaos into a household. The pressure starts to mount when you do not see the evidence of studying.

As a principal, at Abbotts College JHB South, I see the despair when the report card comes and parents are called in to visit the deputy or principal about their child’s results.

But my advice today to parents is to practice love and patience. Young teenagers are still developing. Their adolescent brains, especially those going through puberty, where cognitive, emotional, and social maturation are being influenced by hormones, have a tremendous effect on the development of executive functioning in the brain. This functioning develops in the prefrontal cortex which is the area responsible for decision-making, planning, prioritizing, strategizing, coordinating thought and emotion, delaying gratification, inhibiting impulses and inappropriate behavior.

Research over the past 15 years has shown that these areas do not function as optimally as those of adults. The limbic system and other parts of the brain do not fully mature until the early 20s. Putting extreme pressure and anxiety onto a teenager to bring home the perfect report card will negatively affect them. We need to be realistic about their abilities and remember that one examination is never a determinant for success in life. We have to encourage them to perform to the best of their ability but not at the expense of our relationship with them or the damage parents can inflict on their self-esteem and identity formation.

Having said that there are some ways in which we can support our teenagers, by doing the following:

Download the Examination timetable in advance and ensure it is visible in your house where you and your child can monitor the calendar.
Assist your child in coming up with a study timetable (many schools may conduct workshops to assist with this).
Ensure the scope of study for all subjects is downloaded and available in advance (most schools will give this out at least 4-6 weeks before examinations commence).
Ensure your child has approached teachers early on if there are concepts that are challenging and need further clarification.
If your child is struggling with finishing tests on time, does not get through work fast enough, reads very slowly, or does not write neatly, it may be a good idea to get him/her tested by an Educational Psychologist who can assist with applying for concessions.
Buy A4 feint and margin books for every subject so that note-taking is in one place for the full year and not on pieces of paper that are scattered around the house.
Ensure your child has a quiet place to study, with a desk and necessary stationery (‘passive studying’ on a bed is ineffective – separate, if possible, the spaces where they sleep and where they work)
Eliminate distractions and lay down the rules during examination periods (especially cellphones, social media, gaming).
Ensure your child continues with healthy pursuits such as exercising and sport; and that they eat as healthily as possible.
Do not always believe your teen! Be aware, switched on, available, supportive yet receptive to how and what they are studying.

In my opinion, a little extrinsic motivation during study time for teenagers can be effective. Many are not intrinsically motivated to study and there are pros and cons to rewarding and incentivizing your teen. You know your child best and what they are capable of. Giving them goals and possible rewards, without undue pressure that could create anxiety may be the catalyst for your child to motivate them. We have to inculcate a sense of pride in what they do and encourage effort and autonomy. With so much riding on matric examinations, skills need to be developed early on in the junior grades in preparation for these. This does not happen overnight but with patience, assistance, organization, and loving guidance our children can overcome examination anxiety and learn the tools necessary for examination success.

Grade Ten Subject Choices: How The Considerations Have Changed

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 08:35:20 GMT

The transition from Grade Nine to Grade Ten marks an important and eventful time in a student’s educational trajectory. One of the critical aspects of this transition is characterised by the selection of subject streams – coming up for all Grade Nines in the next few weeks - that essentially determine future study and career options, as well as a student’s performance in Matric.

But unlike previous years, factors that influence this decision have evolved post-pandemic, says education expert Philip Hlatshwayo, Head of Programme at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider.

THINK LIKE A PROJECT MANAGER

“Self-management is the one attribute or skill that has always been critical in a student’s academic journey. However, the need for this attribute intensified during the Covid19 pandemic, sparked by the sudden need for increased independence in academic work. The skills you gained during that time can now be harnessed when choosing subjects,” Hlatshwayo says.

Similar to a company project, subject choice selection needs to be treated as a project, he notes.

“A project generally requires a project management plan to be drawn up in order to ensure the success of the project. The critical aspects considered in any project are skills required, the knowledge required and strategies/techniques.

“Subjects are no different and work in a similar model. That is, for each subject, a student needs to ask themself what skills am I required to have for this subject? The skills required for studying Physical Sciences will be different from the skills required for studying History. Self-introspection will therefore help you understand the skills you possess and can potentially develop.”

What prior knowledge is critical for this subject?

“There have been instances where students choose a subject such as Mathematics for which they lack basic knowledge and understanding that were supposed to be developed in the earlier phases. This leads to frustrations because of the requirements cast on the students once they get to Grade 10.

“A critical reflection of the past grades and how you have handled the demands of a subject similar to the one you are choosing will save you a lot of time and stressful moments. But it should also be remembered that there is still time to develop competency in a core subject – with focus and hard work – if you are determined.”

What studying strategies and techniques are necessary for this subject and do these strategies complement my learning capabilities?

Hlatshwayo says students must consider the strategies and techniques needed to be successful in studying a particular subject.

“For one student, thinking about various algebraic strategies in a Mathematics subject may come easy, for another, reading large quantities of History material may be preferred. There are areas in which we can excel and unleash our full potential if we think carefully about it.”

Answering the questions above will be the first step towards understanding your starting point in this project of choosing the right subjects to support your future dreams.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Academic support involves various stakeholders such as your teacher, peers, family members, mentors and student support services at higher education institutions, who can help you in your journey.

“As much as your teacher may help you with critical subject-related issues, you may at times need your mentor to help you establish the value of pursuing certain things in your academic journey and seeing the big picture,” says Hlatshwayo.

“Student advisors at higher education institutions can further help you match your prospective subject choices to fields of study and career prospects. They are also able to guide you in terms of how the world of work has changed, and which skills will be in high demand by the time you finish your qualification. Using that information, you can work your way back to see which subjects you have to select now.”

HIGH PERFORMANCE STRATEGY

Armed with the information and approach as above, students should choose subjects that will both 1) leave them with a wide range of options and 2) allow them to perform to the best of their ability in their Matric exams.

“Your subject choice should allow for gateway subjects such as core Maths and Science which will help you to keep your options open,” says Hlatshwayo.

“If you struggle in these subjects, at least retain one of them and focus your efforts. Even if you are not yet confident, remember that you have three years to work hard and get a solid grounding – it’s not too late to rise to the challenge.”

Students should also consider what makes them happy, he says.

“Select one or two subjects which interest you and throw yourself into the pursuit of mastery. If you ‘are able to find your feet and enjoyment in a particular area, that bodes well for your future career and self-actualisation.”

And finally, students should choose some subjects that will help them boost their final results.

“Admission to higher education is performance-based, so having some subjects in the bag where you know you can shoot the lights out if you work hard, will very likely improve your chances of success when applying for further study after Matric.”

To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs.

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website.

To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

Report Cards & Parents: Response Strategies Geared For Growth

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 09:02:48 GMT

Receiving report cards are one of the major annual milestones at traditional schools, aimed at providing insight into how a child is progressing in a specific year.

But as students enter the second term, many parents are receiving the report cards for the first term now and already dreading the next assessments that will be arriving in about 10 weeks’ time.

However the report card should not be viewed as a definitive ruling on a child’s academic ability, but rather be used as a guide on the road towards success. There are a few ways in which this can be facilitated by parents, when sitting down with their child to discuss their results.

So which principles should guide the discussion that will take place when a child brings home a report card in June? I believe that the backdrop of any such conversation must be what Dr Carol Dweck calls a “Growth Mindset”. She coined the term in 2006 in a book entitled Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Students with a “growth mindset” believe their skills and talents can be developed through effort and persistence. Whereas those with a “fixed mindset” believe their success is determined by natural talent or intelligence.

Research shows that the language and actions of parents can have a powerful impact on their children’s mindsets and achievement.

The Growth Mindset theory can be put into practice by parents regardless of a child’s results – whether they be fantastic or concerning:

A PARENT’S FIRST RESPONSE

Distinctions…

Some report cards trigger immediate praise. However, if your child brings home an excellent report card, and you praise your child for being smart, through this a fixed mindset is being promoted. It sends a message that their accomplishments are based on the constant attributes they were born with.

In contrast, praising children for working hard fosters a growth mindset. It sends a message that the child’s effort is what led them to success. On the Abbotts College report card the effort ratings help parents and students to focus on the process and the level of effort that went into it, because even a student with good marks can get an average effort rating if the student is under-performing. You should reiterate the concept that talent is not going to keep on delivering results if it is not accompanied by the determination to work hard and grow.

A “mixed” or disappointing report card

If your child (and you!) is discouraged after a disappointing report, you should try to find some form of improvement or effort that you can praise to inspire them to continue developing. When improvement, even if it is just a baby step, is acknowledged, students can feel the work that they did put in, has been seen and validated. It also helps students to understand that the goal of their learning is to make progress and that success can be relative.

These positive comments can serve as a “soft frame” that can help your child to digest the “middle part” where you give constructive feedback on things they struggle with or need to work on. These are the things that have not been mastered “yet”. By embracing the power of the word “YET” when you communicate with your child, you can help them understand that setbacks are reflection points that must be used to pause and strategise for future success.

You should end the conversation on a positive note. In the process you are framing the challenges as an opportunity for growth, helping your child to embrace and tackle any obstacles he or she may face.

MORE INGREDIENTS OF A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION

Adding the flexibility of the brain to your conversation

By emphasising to your children that they actually have control over growing their brains through the actions they take, parents are empowering their children. They should understand that what strengthens the connections in their brains is practise, asking questions, and actively participating in learning. Increased motivation and achievement will follow if the child understands that the brain physically changes when you put in effort whilst mastering concepts and skills.

Accept mistakes as opportunities

One of the best ways you can model a growth mindset is to speak openly about your own mistakes and lessons you took from it. This will show your child that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. Your child should know that it is by trying hard things, things that do not fall within our comfort zones, that we are growing, even if it means that the result is not perfect.

Understand the role of emotions in learning

Our fight or flight response is triggered when we are scared or feel threatened. It is a normal phenomenon and can manifest as stress symptoms such as sweating, stomach cramps, and your mind going blank. Obviously, such symptoms can prevent us from learning or from giving feedback on what we’ve learned. Help your child to identify such responses and to develop strategies that can be used to prevent the fight or flight response to take over when learning or doing assessments.

Constantly keep having the conversation

Traditional schools only provide quarterly report cards, which can mean that the constant improvement conversation falls by the wayside until each report comes along. If your child is in this situation, try to check in more regularly to see what is happening academically. At Abbotts College we assist parents and students with this kind of constant feedback by releasing seven report cards per year. These report cards reflect three aspects:

The outcome of bigger summative assessments that form part of the “School Based Assessment” which will be used to determine the promotion mark
The outcome of different types of smaller assessments which are used to assess whether students mastered the concepts and skills that were taught on a continuous basis
The effort ratings a student obtained in the different subjects

Obviously, by giving thorough formal feedback on a regular basis, the parent or guardian can always be well-informed about the student’s academic performance and work ethic. However, more importantly, the report cards provide numerous opportunities for meaningful conversations between parent/guardian and child. It is a way to allow for the people at home to play a more active role in the journey on which the student finds him- or herself. If your child’s school does not provide more regular report cards, it is worth getting in the habit of checking in yourself on a regular basis to ensure your child is empowered, confident, and mastering work to the best of their ability.

Parents and children should see every report card not as something to dread, but as an opportunity to embrace the potential to grow.

To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs.

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website.

To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

Report Card Anxiety: How to Constructively Deal with Performance Concerns

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:20:43 GMT

As we close off the first term of the year, students and teachers alike are looking forward to a well-deserved break. Unfortunately, this time may also come with a lot of feelings of anxiety over report cards and, more specifically, a student’s performance.

However the report card at the end of Term 1 should rather be viewed as a wonderful opportunity to take stock of where your child is at. This information in return can be used to as the baseline for setting realistic goals for Term 2 and the rest of the academic year.

Students may dread report cards and parents may be disappointed, frustrated and even angry with the lack of progress at times. However, the way in which a parent responds to a report card can have a profound impact on the child's mental health, self-esteem, confidence and motivation, and any response should therefore be well-considered and calm.

I would like to share some tips that you as parent can follow to reduce Report Card Stress :

Seek to understand the Report Card and what it is telling you. Pay attention to any additional information provided. In our case at Abbotts College, students receive an effort rating for each subject along with their subject mark. If the grades are below expectation, but the teacher communicates that your child is making a real effort, then there will be academic improvement over time.
Contact the subject teacher to discuss the progress and to gain further insight. Subject teachers spend a lot of time observing your child's focus, behaviour and approach to the subject.
Attend Parent-Teacher Meetings , but also feel free to get in touch whenever the need may arise.
Put the results in context. Praise the good results and understand that in some learning areas, it may require more patience for continuous development.
Talk it over with your child, but make sure you listen more than you talk. Their feedback is essential.
Take action where necessary. The relevant Grade Head, Deputy Principal (Head of Academics), or subject teachers are all available and can offer expert intervention strategies. Should your child's school have a College counsellor, as we have, they will also be a great resource to you and your child.

Then, if academic improvement is required, you can start by looking at your child’s routine and programme. Making changes to small things can yield big results, for instance:

Limiting screen time and/or removing distractions.
Checking your child's organisational skills.
Providing a quiet study environment.
Establishing homework times and a routine.
Celebrating accomplishments, even the small ones.
Setting realistic short-term and long-term goals.
Emphasising that your child's social life should fit into their study schedule – not the other way around - especially during examination time and the periods leading up to assessments.

Should you see that your child is exhibiting signs of anxiety around their results, help them deal with it by:

- Preparing thoroughly, avoiding procrastination and consulting with a teacher for help – ask questions in class and take advantage of homework consultation. In the Abbotts College system you can, for instance, also call teachers after school hours.

- Reminding them that grades are important, but that it’s also important to keep a perspective on things and not get despondent.

- Helping them draw up and stick to a study schedule.

- Reminding them to take short breaks.

- Assisting them to think positively.

One of the many pillars we pride ourselves on as Abbotts College is our 7 Mark Reading report cards. We issue two report cards per term which removes the long wait from one term to the next. Moreover, if two reports are submitted to parents, it gives parents and teachers an opportunity to create a short-term intervention which would benefit our students. With this approach, students can continuously engage with their teachers on ways to improve their weaker areas.

In addition, although academic excellence and academic improvement are not mutually exclusive at Abbotts College, we pay particular attention to incremental academic improvement. Subject teachers and mentor teachers guide and support our students in delving and attaining their full potential.

To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs.

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website.

To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

Online schools: The warning signs to look out for

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 08:42:24 GMT

We have also seen an explosion of new online “schools”, where in many instances, previous non-entities in education miraculously became overnight experts in matters of learning pedagogy, curriculum, and child development.

The recent pandemic, and more specifically the hard lockdown, forced many parents to consider homeschooling their children via online schooling platforms. We have also seen an explosion of new online “schools”, where in many instances, previous non-entities in education miraculously became overnight experts in matters of learning pedagogy, curriculum, and child development.

As a previous school Principal and now Managing Director of a group of schools, I have watched this process - of education evolution on the one end and shameless opportunism on the other - unfold with much interest. There is a sense of excitement at the possibilities inherent in intelligent online school design, but an equal feeling of dread seeing the irresponsible opportunism that too many unsuspecting parents and children are subject to in this space.

As we come out of the pandemic and children return to brick-and-mortar schools, many of our principals have reported that the damage done by some of the more unscrupulous online schools are evident. Children had fallen behind, were given inflated marks that do not reflect their actual ability, or both. In most instances, the children are from online schools that have become well-known during the past two years, not because of reputation, but because of their marketing efforts. These schools make bold claims about liberating education or being a real school in your home, but the evidence point to the contrary with disappointed and disillusioned children who have been let down by opportunists.

From my experience in brick-and-mortar education, as well as overseeing a homeschooling offering as part of our group of school brands, I would like to encourage parents to look for the following two salient red flags when considering online homeschooling.

1. EMULATING A BRICK-AND-MORTAR SCHOOL TIMETABLE

What many schools, including the brands I work with, did during the hard lockdown, was to switch to an online timetable that emulated the same daily learning routine that the children would have had at a traditional school. This was an acceptable short-term solution given the context of a hard lockdown. However, to take that concept and now continue to promote this as a real school at home is irresponsible and educationally unsound. The thought of hundreds of South African children placed in front of computer screens for six hours a day for the duration of their young lives, instead of proper holistic schooling, should be terrifying to any objective observer. Parents must never put their children through this for any other purpose than dealing with a temporary emergency.

2. RECORDED LESSONS WITH “HELP”

As far as education goes, the only thing worse than a child sitting and watching lessons on a screen for six hours a day, would be if these lessons weren’t even live. Imagine a 14-year-old child, alone at home with nothing more for educational stimulation than organised recordings of school lessons! The service providers selling these products suggest that teenagers have the discipline to manage their own school days with the help of a mentor whose role it is to effectively curate learning content to the child. In reality, the children get deprived from any and all real time collaborative learning and are expected to equip themselves for adulthood from the isolated confines of their rooms. Again, this is an objectively wrong-headed approach.

Online homeschooling is possible and has many exciting prospects of improving family and community life. It also opens many exciting educational avenues of real individualised learning paths with all the complexity it implies. However, for this to be true, we as parents must first accept that children (of any age) cannot simply be placed in front of a screen for hours on end with the fantasy that they will gain the life experiences required to mould them into well-rounded adults.

If your online homeschool curriculum provider, therefore, does not offer:

- an integrated, well balanced, and intelligent approach to screen time and green time,

- a clear and evidenced-based methodology to enable individual learning paths,

- and does not understand and address the integrated social needs of your child,

then I would strongly advise parents not to put your children through the torture of isolation and inappropriate learning pedagogy, regardless of how flashy it may be packaged. You have the right to expect more from this prevailing market, and the better offerings are indeed out there.

To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs.

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website.

To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

How to evaluate the quality of a school’s Edtech offering

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 13:45:29 GMT

Parents need to ensure that they get a solid understanding of what is required from a high quality.

As more and more South African schools work towards improving their tech offering in response to the need to prepare students for the future of work, parents should ensure they get a solid understanding of what is required from a high quality, holistic EdTech programme, an academic education expert says.

“While we may realise the importance of preparing children to navigate their future digital world, understanding what factors inform a programme which is based on academic excellence, and which incorporates the newest technologies while also focusing on digital citizenship, is crucial. Parents therefore need to view their school’s offering and promise of digital skills with a discerning eye,” says Nadia Dal Lago Nell, Academic Advisor: EdTech and Innovation (Schools Division) at ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider.

Nell says it is very important for schools to seek to provide an enhanced educational journey by investing in their students through the integration of technology into the curriculum, as opposed to tech being a standalone educational unit.

“The result of technological integration into the curriculum is a more efficient and engaging educational experience. The need for digital literacy and the discerning use of technology by students is essential for them to continue to advance in their education and be equipped with relevant skills for their future workplace,” she says.

Schools which can give students the educational edge will have several of the following on offer: programmable robots, interactive coding platforms, Minecraft, 3D printers, iPads, laser cutters and even indoor drones.

“Ideally, schools should have dedicated EdTech spaces designed to suit their unique approach to technology and incorporate a variety of devices with a strong emphasis on collaboration. A practical EdTech Framework should also be central to the technology foundation that students are guided through.”

One question to ask your child’s prospective school, is whether they are aligned with ISTE standards, advises Nell.

ISTE (The International Society for Technology in Education) standards have been formulated by the world’s foremost organisation in teaching technology in the classroom, and comprise the following principles: The Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator.

“An EdTech focused school will introduce the elements of the framework in their context as early as Grade 000 and follow through with this focus until the end of Grade 9, whereafter students will be well-versed in real-world tech-proficiencies. Some schools take this a step further and offer tech-based extracurricular activities, including for instance Robotics clubs.”

Nell says EdTech lessons equip students with future focused, transferable global skills that are necessary for success in all areas of life.

“The central skills here are creativity and problem solving which are taught through open-ended activities and emphasising the possibility of multiple solutions for any given problem. This provides students with a space for both collaboration and individual growth.”

An additional element of the EdTech Framework is Digital Citizenship.

“This engages students and shows them how to connect with one another, in an empathetic and safe way through digital tools, platforms and devices. Negative digital habits such as cyberbullying, irresponsible social media usage and unsafe use of the Internet are explained and strongly discouraged.

“Students’ safety, growth and well-being when exploring the world of technology must be emphasised at all times. Fortunately, most of the requirements to be a good Digital Citizen can be taught in the classroom and reinforced at home. Digital Citizenship is intended to give students a clear understanding of the interconnection between tech-life and real-life citizenship skills with the aim of creating knowledgeable, responsible, and mindful online interaction. A sound and well thought-out EdTech programme will prepare a student to face the digital world of tomorrow.”

To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs.

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website.

To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

Stress is eating my child up…

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 07:50:19 GMT

Stress - something safe to say is impacting us all incrementally now, adult or child… As an Educational Psychologist, I have the privilege to try and support our youth, teachers, parents, and all affected in better navigating our stress management. I must say, working in private practice and schools over the last eight years, that our kids are facing increasing amounts of anxiety. Let’s look at why and what we can do.

We have all heard about teens and the hormonal chaos, often transforming our lovely perky youngsters into the gloomy state of “teen-emo-ness”.

So, what’s with that? As parents, we often question: “I navigated that time without all this teen drama that they face”…Well, here is some food for thought:

First, they are faced with fluctuations in the hormones: Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone. The food we eat, which is all too often genetically modified or pumped with hormones, is surely not helping here either…

Secondly, science says that adolescents’ brains can be more sensitive to the stress hormone (Cortisol) and ironically, the Prefrontal Cortex (that area in the front of the brain that handles planning, organizing, and attention – that part that also helps to redirect or shut off the stress response) is only fully developed in the late ’20s. It is no wonder that adolescence is a stressful time for many youngsters... A time for identity formation in the light of chronic judgment, fitting in, getting through school with increasing demands, concerns about prospects… Not to mention the added present stressors that we are all facing locally and globally. So, now it may make more sense in the light of these stressors, that teens’ anxiety is at its peak.

For the sceptics, let’s look at numbers… According to StatsSA (2020), 1 in 5 of all children and adolescents have some type of mental illness, with 50% of these disorders occurring by the age of 14 years. We have surely seen the struggle our children are facing even more highlighted over the last two years as well. The New York Times fairly states, “The pandemic has changed children. Some can’t shake that feeling of instability”, with some having to take on adult responsibilities and others who already battle with change to live with constant change. What does that do to our children’s socio-emotional trends?

After months of online learning, isolation, pandemic fear, and social upheaval, now we are forced to get on with “normal life”. We are back to school, back to sports, back to seeing people again (well I will revert to this point in a minute) … but what about acknowledging the trauma that happened in the last few months? Lost family members or peers, lost jobs, negativity looming, falling deeply behind in school work…

Despite all of the school chaos, South Africa has also had some unique challenges with riots and unrest, erratic power cuts, and water shortages. To top that all off, the world is now also rocked by the pain and heartache of the Ukrainian war. Wow! Just getting my head around all of this makes me tired for our youth!

In an article in the Atlantic by Twenge, he expresses that our teens are on the brink of a mental-health crisis! Parenting styles continue to change, as do school curricula and culture, but the rise of the smartphone is the biggest culprit. Nomophobia (a.k.a. the fear of not being with one’s phone), cyberbullying, and the “anguish” of not having enough likes on Instagram, are only some of the anxieties that teens are facing. Studies have linked Instagram to depression, body image concerns, self-esteem issues, social anxiety, and other problems.

We must attend to the anxieties that our youth face, as the scary reality is that anxiety can often be the precursor for depression.

Kids NEED to get out, exercise and socialize. BUT SADLY, the number of teens who get together with their friends nearly every day dropped by more than 40 percent from 2000 to 2015. Over the last two years, it is evident that our youth are “out of practice” with things like continuous social contact. During the pandemic, pupils have found it more difficult to open up and share that they are battling (educationally or emotionally). Caroline Miller from Child Mind Institute expressed that, “students with learning challenges reported feeling shame and stigma because they had to formally ask for help, instead of being able to avail themselves of regular after-school support”.

Although some youth have hated online school, Dr. David Anderson, clinical psychologist and Director of School and Community Programs at the Child Mind Institute, expresses that many of our youth are beginning to question the meaning and purpose of going to school more and more. So let’s give them a reason to want to be at school, as educators and parents.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE!! What can we do to support our teenagers?

Because the adolescent brain is developing so rapidly, good habits for coping with teenage stress also can last into adulthood. So let us try to instill good habits… Some nice research is also tapping into the fact that it is not our stress levels that knock us down, but the PERCEPTIONS of stress and not being able to control it, that affects us. So, we will be doing our youth a great service to equip them with tools to feel more in control and manage their stress. How? Here are some insightful tips to help your teenager cope with stress.

Encourage them to engage in outdoor activities
Keep communication open between you and them and ACTUALLY listen, acknowledging their feelings
Keep phone-free moments or events but when they are on their phones, you can encourage certain apps such as Happify, Headspace, Personal Zen, Excel at Life, Mindly or Simple Habit
You are not the enemy if you switch off the Wi-Fi at certain times of the day (dinner time for example). In fact, eating as a family has been proven to lower academic-related stress in children and teens
Plan for change and model appropriate behaviour
Encourage them to talk to a professional – Look out for signs of major anxiety. Has it been persistent, debilitating, unbearable? Then refer to a psychologist
Work on attainable goals that you can motivate them to attain
Examine the language you use as a family and the pressures that you may subconsciously be placing on your child
Help them with keeping a constant routine and to get organized
Most teens think you don’t “get them” so try… start by letting them know that you are aware of the many pressures they are under and that you have their backs.

It is a lot to digest, but if we help our children to take bite-sized chunks of this anxiety pie, and we help them day by day, it will not be able to swallow them up whole…

Click here to learn more from our teachers and educational experts.

Find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do by visiting our About Us page.

Click here to learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators here: Enquire Online.

Connecting in a disconnected world.

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 13:17:58 GMT

Humans are social beings. We thrive on connection and desire a sense of belonging. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how we connect. We developed new ways of connecting, which threw us out of our comfort zones in how we were used to connecting previously.

Ever wondered why the impact of social media or peer pressure can be so far-reaching? That’s because of the need to be socially connected. Most people experience a sense of satisfaction when seeing a few likes and views on their new social media posts. But the consequences for someone who struggles with connecting or feels like they don’t belong can have dire consequences. The mental health implications of this are not uncommon. They can include an array of afflictions, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, eating disorders and in some cases, personality disorders.

The road to self-discovery is complex and lengthy, sometimes extending far into adulthood. It is often a challenging and psychologically taxing process for teens to figure out who they are whilst trying to “fit in”. This journey can have an extreme impact on their self-worth and ability to function in various spaces (academic, home, etc.). Often, parents and families forget the numerous other challenges their high school children face, in conjunction with those mentioned above.

Empathy is the most valuable tool anyone can use when trying to connect and provide emotional support to teenagers. Showing the next person that you are willing to understand what they are going through can foster a great sense of understanding, acceptance and care between two individuals. Here are a few more tips you can try.

Here are a few tips you can try to connect better with your loved ones:

1. Create opportunities for connection

2. Be patient: people respond differently, so be gentle and patient

3. Be present: when you are with loved ones, give them your undivided attention (everyone loves feeling heard)

4. Maintenance: check-up and check-in with loved ones.

5. Step out of your comfort zone: be open to making new connections with someone you usually wouldn’t interact with.

Click here to learn more from our teachers and educational experts.

Find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do by visiting our About Us page .

Click here to learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators here: Enquire Online.

From Surviving To Thriving In A New In High School

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 08:31:37 GMT

Moving to a new school with new classmates, new teachers, and new subjects, can be overwhelming for a teenager, especially if it involves a transition to high school.

It is completely normal for students to feel nervous about starting high school, but it does not need to be scary!

Parents play an important role in assisting a child moving through this important life transition. Hopefully you have already started the process by doing a few basic things in the previous two years, but if you realise that you have not yet focused on it enough, do not put it on hold any longer as the workload at high school level is much more challenging than before and parental involvement is an important ingredient for academic success.

Encourage and assist your child to build good study habits like note taking, proper organisation and time management throughout grade 8. This will form a solid foundation for the high school years to come.

Understand your child’s academic strengths, weaknesses, and learning pace. True support and guidance to choose the correct subjects (as an example), are not possible if you do not know whether your child is able to keep up with certain learning content or not.

If you have not yet started to withdraw from your child’s learning process, now is the time to do so. Independent learning is of utmost importance as your child starts their high school career. Your child must take responsibility for scheduling time for homework and assignments and keeping track of deadlines. Your child’s mentor at Abbotts College Centurion will provide some guidance as well and the supervised Homework Sessions provide extra structure, but it does not help if the healthy learning patterns are not reinforced at home.

You must have meaningful conversations with your child about attending high school or attending a new school. To assist your child to make sense of the mixture of excitement and nervousness they will most probably experience in the weeks before the school starts and the first few weeks after it started, you must ask your child about their concerns. There are practical solutions for most of the common concerns they might experience. For instance, if they are worried about getting lost, a school plan can help to ease your teenager’s mind. By providing templates for things like rosters and study timetables, you can further help to structure and ease your child’s mind about the workload.

Hopefully your child’s new school offered an Orientation Day during which they were given the opportunity to get their timetable, meet the Grade Head and the subject teachers, and learn what to expect from high school. It is obviously a great way to meet some new classmates in a more relaxed environment. Your child would typically also have been given a chance to become more familiar with the school’s layout, so they would not be completely overwhelmed on the first day. If there was such an Orientation Day and your child could not attend, or if your child joined the school later than the rest of the learners, it might also lead to anxiety because your child might be nervous about information that they missed. Encourage your child to go to the Grade Head or Mentor teacher to ask for access to documents and information that might have been shared.

Ensure that your child has the right school supplies. You should have received the stationery and textbook list from the school. Your child can only get off to a strong start if they have the necessary tools to do so. If your child does not yet have the prescribed textbooks (and the correct edition of the textbook) when classes start, it will prevent them from starting on the front foot and will lead to unnecessary stress.

Without realistic goals, your child will lack direction and motivation. Sit down with your child and set goals to achieve during the year. Your child’s mentor will also provide guidance with regards to goal setting for each Mark Reading, and it will be expected from you as a parent to follow your child’s goals and the achievement thereof, as it is documented in your child’s school diary, throughout the year.

Have regular talks about how things are going in each of your child’s classes. Ask about subjects your child love and about those they don’t. This information will help you to encourage your child to make use of the support being offered during supervised homework sessions.

Most teenagers do not voluntarily share information about what is happening at school. Abbotts College gives out seven report cards with marks and effort ratings which will help to solve that problem. The importance of your reaction after receiving the report card cannot be emphasised enough. If your child is discouraged after a disappointing report, emphasise the importance of acknowledging that they have not mastered certain concepts “yet”. Explain to them the importance of perseverance and facing the challenges that cross one’s path. And if your child brings home an excellent report, reiterate the concept that talent is not going to keep on delivering results if it is not accompanied by the determination to work hard and grow. In the bigger scheme of things, the development of such a growth mindset, will mean even more that mastering certain subject content.

To learn more from our teachers and educational experts, read one of our other blogs.

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, visit the rest of our website.

To learn more about how Abbotts College can improve your child’s educational journey, read more about our non-traditional approach.

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators

MOOD DISORDERS - KNOW THE SIGNS & WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 09:52:31 GMT

One in eight young people between the ages of 5 and 19 are at risk of developing a mental disorder, of which Mood and Anxiety Disorders are the most prevalent. Emphasis on the mental health of young people recently increased as a result of the disruption caused by Covid -19 and lockdowns which exacerbated challenges that existed before the pandemic. It has therefore once again become important to not only start talking about the mental health of young people, but also to recognise symptoms and know where to look for help, an education and mental health expert says.

“The prevalence of mood difficulties among young people is increasingly becoming a concern internationally,” says Dr Jacques Mostert, Brand Academic Manager at ADvTECH, SA’s leading private education provider. Dr Mostert holds a PhD in Psychology of Education and is globally renowned in his field, having conducted experiential research in education in Denmark, the UK, South Africa and The Netherlands.

Dr Mostert notes that an estimated 24% of teens between the ages of 11 to 19 suffer from depression caused by the home environment, 25% are subject to cyber-bullying and loneliness, 92% of LGBT youth report depression during the ages of 11 to 19, and 80% of teens between the ages of 11 to 19 report a sense of isolation that causes them to feel depressed.

“It is very important to understand the signs of depression, so that action can be taken timeously should concerns about the mental wellbeing of a child arise,” says Dr Mostert.

“Teachers and parents can recognise the onset of depression when a sudden change in behaviour becomes apparent and continues for at least 3 weeks or longer. These include an atypical lack of energy, becoming increasingly irritable and agitated without a rational explanation, and a sense of being down in the dumps for no reason.”

Some adolescents may withdraw from friends and family over a sustained period of time, he notes, adding that this is especially concerning if this is atypical of the normal interactions of the teen.

“Another red flag is the inability to concentrate in class where ADHD or other non-neurotypical difficulties are not present, as well as regularly failing to complete classroom and homework assignments in time or often being late to class because of feeling overwhelmed.

“This, coupled with unusually defiant behaviour towards teachers and other school staff, especially if this is non-typical behaviour, may indicate that the teen is experiencing difficulties with mood and affect.”

In the same way as with anxiety difficulties and disorder, the student often asks to go to go home because of feeling ill with no discernable symptoms. The teen often has days off from class time due to doctor’s appointments, hospitalisation, or inability to attend classes.

Changes in sleep patterns, a significant weight loss or gain in a short period of time and disinterest in hobbies or areas where the teen previously showed interest also raise concerns about the mental wellbeing of the teenager.

Finally, a loss of future-mindedness, or talk about death or suicide, engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviour (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or cutting, for example) are clear signs of the teen suffering from mood difficulties or a possible mood disorder.

“Not all of the above need to be present, but if there is a discernable and drastic change in a young person’s behaviour which continues for a period of several weeks or longer, intervention is necessary,” Dr Mostert says.

He says first steps teachers and parents can take to help their child deal with depression at home and in the classroom include:

• DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Parents of teenagers should develop the habit of listening with empathy and not give in to the easier way out of lecturing. However, it must also be said that parents should be gentle yet persistent when it comes to holding realistic expectations of their child.

• AVOIDING NEGATIVE TECHNIQUE STRATEGIES

Punishment, sarcasm, disparagement, and passive-aggression is a way of affirming the depressed teenager’s belief of not being worthy or a valued member of the family or society. Parents must be willing to be vulnerable and acknowledge their own and their teenager’s feelings, especially at a time of disruption such as the Covid – 19 pandemic.

• NOT LOWERING EXPECTATIONS OR GIVING UNEARNED REWARDS

Realistic and earned rewards is one of the most important tools in a parent’s approach to supporting their depressed child. The sense of having earned a reward, and receiving acknowledgement for an aspect of their life they find significant affirms a sense of value. However, the opposite is also true. Unearned praise leaves the teenager with a feeling of inauthenticity and affirms their already negative self-perception.

• PLANNING FOR EARNED SUCCESS

Activities that are of interest often fall by the wayside when teenagers are depressed. Often parents try to arrange and engage in these activities as a panacea to their teenager’s depression. However, this may exacerbate the young person’s feeling of worthlessness. Parents should find novel and interesting activities that may lead to earned success. This may include DIY activities around the house or asking for help with a specific app or technology in which, when success is achieved, due praise is earned.

“Most importantly, parents should trust their gut,” Dr Mostert says.

“If your teenager insists that nothing is wrong, despite a prolonged period of depressed mood or being diagnosed with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, parents should trust their instincts and seek help.

“Should the above techniques not bring about an improvement in the mental wellbeing, parents should seek advice from their medical practitioner or a psychiatrist.”

To read more insightful blogs from our teachers and educational experts, click here .

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, click here .

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

Open Days are BACK!

Mon, 24 May 2021 09:18:41 GMT

THEY’RE BACK! HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF (COVID SAFE) OPEN DAYS

In coming weeks, several higher education institutions will again start hosting on-site Open Days following the virtual events held last year during the height of the Covid pandemic. But although these events will once more be held in-person, prospective students are urged to register as soon as possible, given that numbers will be limited due to Covid safety regulations.

“Those who are serious about furthering their studies next year, and are investigating all their options regarding what the best qualification will be for them, and where they should study, will benefit tremendously from being able to attend these Open Days,” says Peter Kriel, General Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education institution.

Kriel says it is more important than ever before to carefully consider one’s options, given how the world of work has changed in the past year, and also because Covid and lockdowns really highlighted which institutions were able to continue delivering the highest quality academic excellence without losing academic days. Prospective students attending Open Days should specifically ask the question about how the learning experience was maintained during the lockdowns, says Kriel, given that it is not out of the question that there may be disruptions to in-person teaching again in future.

“The days are long gone where Matrics and those who want to pursue a post-graduate qualification had to do little more than sign up at any university for a popular or traditionally prestigious degree. Anyone who wants to go study now, must ensure they are very clear about the connection their chosen qualification will have to real-world opportunities in a few years’ time, as well as the institution’s ability to continue in the face of external challenges,” says Kriel.

He says the first step prospective students need to take, is to find the websites of respected private or public universities and higher education institutions, and then find details of upcoming Open Days. Then they need to register to attend at a number of institutions, so that they can compare their experiences of the campuses and their various offerings before making a decision.

“The point of Open Days is to help prospective students make informed choices. Furthering your education is a significant investment of money and time, so the more you do your research before you embark on your future path, the more likely you are to make a success of your studies,” he says.

While much of the investigations into further studies can be done online, attending Open Days give young people the opportunity to speak to Student Advisors face-to-face, to view and experience campus facilities, to get a taste of campus life, and to speak to current students.

Usually, Open Days include career and qualification guidance, campus tours, overviews of sport and social activities, and residence options.

Kriel says those who are still uncertain about what path they want to pursue, can gain some clarity by speaking to Student Advisors.

“They will be able to help you match your passions and strengths to those qualifications – some which you may not yet even have heard of – that will put you on a path to a successful career in future.

“Very importantly, you also need to ask Student Advisors about the role work-integrated learning plays in the institution’s qualifications, because employers today need to see that a new appointment is able to get the job done from day one, and won’t need months of training to align their academic knowledge to the actual day-to-day demands of the job.”

Open Days also allow prospective students to get a broad overview of careers and career opportunities, as well as the details of the logistics that lie ahead should they decide to apply.

“Matrics should not leave the decision about what to study and where until after their exams, or, even worse, until after they receive their results next year,” says Kriel.

“Open Days provide a great, fun, and non-pressured opportunity to explore your options, and clarify and commit to the road ahead. Getting your plans for next year out of the way sooner rather than later will go a long way toward relieving your anxiety about the future in coming months, which will leave you with more of the mental and emotional energy you’ll need to make a success of your exams.”

To read more insightful blogs from our teachers and educational experts, click here .

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, click here .

Feel free to call or email one of our campus administrators.

Five Smart Ways to Improve Your Social Study Style

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 11:11:53 GMT

Do you communicate well with people? Do you learn more easily when interacting with others? As a student with a Social Study Style you need to share ideas to improve your studying at High School.

Can you remember things more easily if you participate in a group discussion?

Do you find it helps to bounce ideas off other people and listen to their feedback?

A student with a Social Study Style learns best when communicating and engaging with other people. If you are a social learner, these five study strategies will help you improve your studying at High School.

1. Form a study group

You learn best when you are with other people so form a face-to-face or a virtual study group that meets regularly to review and revise the work you are learning. You can ask your teacher which topics to prioritise and select these for discussion. Because you are stimulated by dialogue, you concentrate more keenly and are therefore able to remember the information better when discussing it with others. When you share your understanding of a topic out loud to others, it improves your understanding and thus ability to remember it. And, as you are a sensitive listener, you can reflect on other people’s contributions, which further improves your understanding. Because of this, this style of collaborative learning helps you to remember information more easily.

Read this article from wikiHow on how to form and establish a study group to get great tips on recruiting members, structuring your study group and conducting the study sessions.

2. Ask your teacher questions

When you must study on your own, always have a page ready to write down questions that you can ask your teacher the next day. Formulating the questions will help you to organise your thoughts and make the process of studying on your own feel less lonely. When you discuss your questions with your teacher the next day, both your understanding of the topic will be deepened and the memory of the work you studied increased.

It is also important that you ask your teacher questions during lessons especially if you do not understand something or if you want to know more information about the topic. It is often important to a social learner to find out how the topic can be applied in the real world and how it can be used to help people. You need to interact with your teacher and fellow students during the lesson so that the work you are learning is retained.

3. Tell someone what you are learning

Ask a parent, grandparent, older sibling, or set up a study buddy who will set aside some time every day to listen to what you have been learning. Telling someone what you have learned helps to strengthen the memory pathway. As a social learner, it is also one of the most enjoyable ways of revising.

Before tests and exams, you may wish to ask this person if they would be willing to ask you questions or test you on the work you have learned. This might be especially important if you are feeling tired as you will then need the energy boost you get from being with someone to help you to continue working.

4. Share your notes and ask for feedback

As a co-operative learner, you know how important feedback is if you want to improve. You also like it when everybody benefits, and so sharing your notes and comparing your work with others is an excellent way to ensure everyone has the best quality information to study from. By reviewing each other’s notes, comparing them, and deciding what to include in the final copy, you will also start the process of learning the work. Remember, sharing your notes does not simply mean lending your notes to someone so that they copy them. It is a collaborative exercise in which you all try to reach consensus to establish the best resource possible.

5. Teach a fellow student

One of the most effective ways to study is to teach someone else. As a people-person, you have strong verbal and non-verbal skills, and your empathy for others makes you an ideal mentor and teacher. Explaining topics and concepts to another person is an excellent way to make sure that you really understand the work, and because you quite often have to repeat difficult sections, you will soon find that you have the work memorised. In fact, studies have shown that teaching is a much more effective way of learning than simply studying. So, not only will you be benefitting your fellow student, but you will gain tremendously.

If you have a Social Study Style, try out these five study strategies and adapt them so that they work best for you. These study strategies will make learning easier, more fun and improve your studying at High School.

https://www.wikihow.com/Form-a-Study-Group/

https://getatomi.com/blog/should-i-share-study-notes/

https://digest.bps.org.uk/2018/05/04/learning-by-teaching-others-is-extremely-effective-a-new-study-tested-a-key-reason-why/

When Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum Becomes an Asset

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:22:59 GMT

For some young people, the traditional school with its bells, hair and uniform rules and impersonal atmosphere might not be the most perfect fit. Some young people don’t feel supported; they feel uncomfortable with the group-mentality or feel alienated among their peers.

At Abbotts College High School, we treat our students like the young adults they are. There are no bells, no uniforms, no prescriptive hairstyles rules, and most importantly, there are no distractions due to obligatory extra-curricular activities. Learning happens best in an environment where learning, exploring and curiosity form the main culture of learning. Students thrive in a setting where the teachers and mentors are attentive to their individual needs, and where they can learn to take responsibility for their time management and academic progress.

What Makes Abbotts College Different?

Abbotts Colleges are not fixated on the way students look, how they dress, what their individual identity is nor normative group identities. Abbotts Colleges place emphasis on learning impact; showing progress and developing a sense of curiosity in the world. Even more importantly, Abbotts Colleges are about not settling for second best: there are three pillars that support what is accomplished at Abbotts. These are comprehensive individual support, value-added education and specialists teaching and learning.

Comprehensive Individual Support

You might think that with no bells and no set uniform that it must be a very liberal environment, however, Abbotts Colleges are effective because of our structured approach. We have systems in place to assist students and guide them on their educational journey. For example, students receive 7 reports during the year which allows them to track their own progress in a much more comprehensive and self-driven (yet fully supported) way. This high frequency feedback ensures that parents and students know sooner rather than later whether they are on track. An effort level replaces a class average to help the students measure their own progress against themselves and not the group. After each report, a mentor assigned to each student has a progress discussion to help them set new progress targets and decide what plan of action they will follow to achieve these targets. Continuous discussions during the term helps students stay dedicated to their target plan.

Value - Added Education

True value-added teaching and learning means to ensure that education is more than just copying down lines of work from a textbook or staring at formulas on a board. Value-added education can only lead to establishing an effective learning environment if it includes academic mentoring, access to hand-picked teachers and subject specialists. Our students also attend daily guided homework sessions during which time they plan their academic program and have access to teachers to provide one-on-one support. Most significantly, the skills and attitudes that make learning effective can only be fostered if the student can learn in a non-judgemental, safe and supportive, mature environment, where learning is more important than rules and regulations.

Specialists in Teaching and Learning

Our teachers don’t use reports as a way to instil a sense of anxiety in our young people, but rather make use of each report as a learning and progress discussion on an individual basis to make sure the student and teacher understand what additional support is needed and what the next steps in learning should be.

Support and Mentoring

Emotion and behaviour are inextricably linked. Young people behave in a specific way because we feel a specific way, and if anxiety overshadows learning, it is inevitable that learners’ achievement will not be actualise in the way they have envisaged. Mentoring and social and emotional support are integrated into the structure of every day.

At Abbotts Colleges no student should never give up on achieving their dreams. We think that students shouldn’t reach for a plan B, but rather work a plan A 2.0. We invest in second chances, new opportunities, and comprehensive individual mentoring and support.

About Abbotts College High School

While catering for Grade 8-12, the unique approach to education of Abbotts Colleges is underpinned by an understanding that this final and critical phase in a student’s education will shape and determine each their future. Abbotts Colleges aim to ensure that every student achieves academic success in a non-traditional school environment geared towards belonging and inclusion of all.

For more information please visit www.abbotts.co.za

ABOUT Dr Jacques Mostert

A renowned educational expert with more than two decades of experience locally and internationally, Dr Mostert holds a BEd Honours (Cum Laude) and MEd in Curriculum Design from University of Johannesburg. He completed a UK Qualified Teacher Accreditation from the University of East London in the UK as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Social, Emotional and Behaviour Difficulties from Leicester University in the UK. He completed his PhD in Psychology of Education through the University of Johannesburg. Dr Mostert was awarded the Outstanding grade for Teaching and Learning by Her Majesty’s Office in Standard in Education (Oftsed), has published peer reviewed articles in international journals, presented and international education conferences, led and presented staff development seminars and is currently the Brand Academic Manager of ADvTech’s Niche School Brands in South Africa. Dr Mostert has conducted research in teaching and learning practices in Denmark, the UK, South Africa and The Netherlands.

5 Skills Learning from Home Taught Us

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:16:19 GMT

Over the past year, 2020, more and more students transitioned from physical learning to online learning and back to physical learning. At Abbotts College, our students, parents, and teachers learned many lessons that can be applied throughout everyday life.

1. Self-discipline

Although it’s always important to practice self-discipline, online learning during the pandemic pushed the boundaries of self-discipline. Developing a routine and sticking to it was a struggle for many students. The past year taught us that self-discipline can be very difficult, but it also has the potential to have a positive impact on your life and ensure you reap the rewards. Some students from our Class of 2020 quoted discipline as one of the biggest keys to their success during the 2020 academic year.

2. Time Management

Time management isn’t just about having too little time on your hands; it’s also about sometimes having too much time, feeling overwhelmed, or procrastinating. Throughout 2020, our students had to learn how manage their time wisely and make sure that they complete their classwork, homework and School-based Assessments on time.

Through developing time management skills, our students were able to prioritise and manage their time wisely. The non-traditional approach to learning at Abbotts College is geared towards empowering our students to take control of their lives, be future-focussed and manage their time wisely.

3. Staying Motivated

Staying motivated is generally a difficult task for most individuals and the pandemic pushed the limitations of motivation. Students across the world had to find new ways to become and stay motivated throughout the pandemic and Abbotts College students were no different. Some students used techniques such as meditating, goal setting and rewarding themselves to stay motivated throughout the year.

4. Organisation Skills

Organisational skills were as important as ever in 2020. Our students and teachers had to learn how to turn dining room tables into classrooms and back into dining room tables every day. Having the ability to organise your space to help you work optimally was important.

Even more important was to become mentally organise: being able to compartmentalise your brain and look at the table in your bedroom as a classroom desk every day was taxing but it also taught us how to mentally organise our spaces.

5. Emotional Wellbeing

Last but certainly not least, we learned how to take care of our emotional wellbeing. Although most of our students, parents, and teachers were not physically ill, the risk of mental fatigue (or COVID-fatigue) and even depression was very real. Throughout the 2020 academic year, we stressed the importance of actively understanding emotions and learning how to manifest positive mental states.

2020 brought a lot of challenges with it, but it did allow us to practice self-improvement and learn many lessons along the way.

Our non-traditional approach to learning fosters life skills and enables our students to achieve everything they set out to. For more on us and our schools, please click here - Our Schools

To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link: Apply Now

If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here: Enquire Now

Five Smart Ways to Improve Your Physical Study Style

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 11:04:17 GMT

Improve your studying at high school

Can you remember things more easily if you get to do activities yourself rather than hearing about them?

Do you find it helps to move parts of your body or walk about while you study?

A student with a Physical Study Style learns best when moving and doing. If you are physical learner, these five study strategies will help you improve your studying at High School.

1. Stand up or walk around while you study

If you are a physical learner, sitting at a desk is not ideal. If possible, convert your desk to be a stand-up desk so that you can stand while you work. The research shows that not only will this increase your concentration and help you focus for longer, but it also improves your working memory and your ability to understand and remember information.

An alternative is for you to walk around while you are studying. Walk slowly as you talk out loud and teach yourself the work. You need to keep your body moving and active when you study. Therefore, if you must sit at a desk, swing your leg, tap your foot, bounce your leg up and down or fidget in some way, as this will help to keep you focused.

2. Use gestures and actions to help you study

Studies have shown that gesturing while speaking enhances your memory. So, while you learn, use your hands and arms to point to things, emphasise facts and illustrate what you are saying. You could also physically walk out step-by-step methods and processes or count out lists of items on your fingers.

You can also use actions as a way of triggering your memory. Perhaps you can clap your hands, click your fingers, stamp your foot, pat your knees, tap your head, jump in the air or bend at the waist when you want to remember an important definition or section. By connecting a physical movement to what you are learning, you will improve your ability to remember. In research done by John Hopkins university, it was found, however, that erratic movements are less likely to form memories. Watch this short video to see the evidence. So, when you use actions to help you remember something, try to be consistent.

3. Work for short periods and then take an exercise break

As a physical learner you need to work for sessions of between 15 and 25 minutes and then take a short 5-minute break. During your break, it is ideal for you to do something physical. Take a short walk, kick a soccer ball or dance to your favourite song! When we exercise our blood pressure and blood flow increases, which means our brains literally get more energy and more oxygen. This means that after a short exercise break, you will be able to focus and concentrate better. Another reason why you will find yourself more alert after doing some physical exercise, is that the part of our brains responsible for learning and memory, the hippocampus, is activated when we exercise. So, give yourself a study boost by taking regular, short exercise breaks.

4. Study by doing

A lot of the curriculum in high school is content based, requiring you to study a lot of information. Here are some suggestions to help you be as active as possible while you study:

• Make notes and summaries of your work. Use colour and highlighters to emphasise main points.

• Create flow charts and topic webs on a notice board. Use sticky notes to add more content.

• Use a mini whiteboard to write down important points while you are studying. A whiteboard is also a useful tool for practising diagrams.

• Design flash cards, which you can use to test yourself by flipping the cards over to check your answers.

• Use blocks to position things, count things out or order things.

• When reading, use your finger as a guide, slowly moving it down the page as you read.

5. Link what you are learning to the real world

Content will stay in your memory much longer if you can relate to it or link it to the real world. If you understand how a topic is applied in practice, you are far more likely to remember it. You are also more likely to recall stories and case studies about real people and situations than a list of facts. You can use the internet to help you source information.

Another way in which you can link the real world to your studies is by using your environment and the people you know as the basis for study techniques. You can use your home, your school, your local shopping centre, or your neighbourhood to build memory palaces. You can give various concepts personalities and identities by linking them to family members, friends, or teachers. This works particularly well if you can connect the concept in some way to a characteristic or trait in the person.

If you have a Physical Study Style, try out these five study strategies and adapt them so that they work best for you. These study strategies will make learning easier, more fun and improve your studying at High School.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3536268/

https://youtu.be/yev94H_Nabg

https://www.sciencealert.com/switch-your-desk-up-if-you-want-to-study-better-research-suggests

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-you-think-better-after-walk-exercise/#:~:text=Part%20of%20the%20reason%20exercise,makes%20our%20brain%20perform%20better.

Junior high roadmap: Take the long view but make every day count

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 09:50:49 GMT

High school is an exciting if sometimes scary and demanding stage of a young person’s life, and it requires of them to balance a daily focus on learning and academic work while also continuously considering their future and where they are headed.

These competing considerations – the focus on now while also not losing sight of tomorrow – can cause uncertainty and anxiety, but using a framework on the way can have a significant impact on creating peace of mind and successful outcomes, says Dr Gillian Mooney, Dean: Academic Development and Support at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider.

“By getting into the right frame of mind, and armed with a daily plan of action, you can incrementally build your way towards great results in Matric, and opportunities that align with your vision thereafter,” she says.

“What Covid has made clear, is that we need to use every day to our advantage. Small wins compound, but if you procrastinate, you might just find yourself in an impossible position down the line.”

Dr Mooney says junior high school students should strategise for thelong game, and combine that with short-term action plans so that they are able to start senior high in as strong a position as possible, by doing the following:

KEEP ON TOP OF THINGS EVERY DAY

“Make sure that you master the work done in class every day. Do your homework to the best of your ability, and if there are concepts you don’t understand, ask for help and assistance until you do. Don’t push things to the side and think you are going to deal with them later, because later you may just have too many things to deal with and then you’ll start feeling overwhelmed.

“By doing a little bit every day to cement new knowledge, you are building a strong foundation for the future, and your learning muscles and confidence are strengthened.”

DON’T GO OFF THE RAILS – ASK FOR HELP

High school comes with a host of firsts – good ones and not so good ones, notes Dr Mooney.

“You’ll be faced with exciting new opportunities but also temptations. Don’t lose sight of what you are building towards, and always consider how your choices will impact on your future. Your freedom will be increasing, but so will your responsibilities. Make wise choices and enjoy your journey towards adulthood, while also being careful not to make choices that can turn into hurdles down the line. In particular, be extremely circumspect where social media is concerned as small missteps can have huge consequences.

“If you find yourself struggling – academically, mentally, emotionally, physically – know that there are many avenues you can turn to for help. There could be trusted adults in the community, teachers, organisations and even online resources to which you can turn. Don’t despair if you are finding yourself in a difficult spot. There are support and resources available, so keep looking for help until you find it.”

CONSTANTLY EVALUATE WHERE YOU ARE HEADED

You may have an idea of what you want to do when you Matriculate, or you may not. Whichever it is, junior high school provides the opportunity for you to consider your options while you still have plenty of time.

“Keep in mind that you will need to make subject choices in Grade Nine, which will impact greatly on your options after you finish school,” says Dr Mooney.

So as you progress through the days, weeks and months of junior high, consider where your strengths lie, and how these might match up to a future career.

“This is why it is important to not leave your investigation of your future studies until Matric, because by then you may have dropped the subjects you would have needed to apply for your qualification of choice. If you think you are terrible at Maths and want to drop it as soon as you are able to, consider which careers you will be ruling out if you do so.

“If you don’t know the answer to that, it is worth finding out by for instance doing online research, or speaking to student advisors at higher education institutions about fields that interest you, and what the entry requirements for those would be.”

START TO BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS

The world is evolving rapidly and by the time junior high learners matriculate, it will look completely different from the way it looks today.

In junior high, young people should start developing themselves holistically, and start learning about things outside of their current field of experience and frame of reference. For instance, they can start keeping up with the daily news so that they know what’s going on in the country and the rest of the world. They could also start cultivating a hobby to develop their creative side and ensure they get regular exercise through group or individual sport.

“You are now at the stage of your life where you are starting to develop into the adult you will become. As the saying goes - with some creative licence taken here - there are things we know, things we don’t know, and then things we don’t know we don’t know. Your school will be teaching you about the things you don’t know, but it is your responsibility to be curious about the world and start finding out about the things you didn’t even know you didn’t know.

“You may find that there is a whole world of opportunities that get you excited in terms of your future, that you were never exposed to before. So every day, do your best to ensure you continue to grow academically, while also firmly considering where you are headed by researching where the world is moving and where your future opportunity might lie.”

Catering for students from Grade 8 – 12, Abbotts College High School guarantees academic success and excellence in a non-traditional but structured environment where individuality is valued. Abbotts College has 5 campuses across South Africa. Join one of our Open Days at a campus near you.

Don’t Settle For Less If You Didn't Perform At Your Best | Grade 12 Results

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 08:50:43 GMT

As the Department of Basic Education prepared to release the Matric results of 2020, many young people nervously awaited their results, either knowing that they didn’t perform to the best of their ability, or with no idea of what to expect and what they would do if they didn’t do well. It is however important to know that there are various options available if things didn’t go as planned, and not worry about what came before, but rather focus on what actions can be taken going forward, an education expert says.

“At the beginning of each year, we set ourselves goals and enthusiastically make New Year’s resolutions. For a significant number of young people, this also means embarking on a new adventure, transitioning from the structured life of school to the exciting world of adulthood,” says Dr Jacques Mostert, Academic Manager for ADvTECH’s Abbotts College.

“This rite of passage usually goes along with making plans for further education and training. But what happens if things don’t go according to plan, and instead of going on to further study, you are faced with the reality that your Matric results were not good enough to start out on this new journey just yet?”

Mostert says the enthusiasm of looking towards a future filled with potential and promise can sometimes be dampened by Grade 12 results that are not as good as what were expected.

“Usually this results in a reshuffling of plans, a rush to come up with Plan B, or desperate calls to schools to enquire about re-marks or a second attempt to writing the exam. But these aren’t always the best approaches available and settling for second best need not be the way forward.”

Before making instant decisions about what to do if things didn’t go as planned, there are a few things that parents and young adults must consider, says Mostert: Embracing the power of “yet”; making a mind-set change from feeling helpless towards taking control, and embracing a growth mindset geared towards the future.

Embrace the power of “yet”

Dwelling on the past, and constantly going over the ‘what ifs’, can be debilitating, says Mostert.

“Notwithstanding the cliché of letting the past remain in the past, for a young adult with high expectations experiencing disappointment, letting bygones be bygones isn’t that easy. Accepting that a goal may not have been reached yet, and embracing the power of possibility, young people can develop a resilience that will inevitably become paramount in their personal and professional development.”

From hopeless to taking back control

The anxiety that goes hand in hand with making life-altering decisions without considering all the options is a considerable contributing factor of a sense of helplessness both parents and young adults experience, notes Mostert.

“Deciding to change course and settle for less should not be an option. We tend to believe that in the modern world of the fourth industrial revolution and omnipresent social media, there exists a set timeline to reach arbitrary milestones. The reality is that there is no set end date for reaching any goal. Young people should look past peer pressure, and take action to get back on track towards fulfilling their goals.”

Developing a growth mindset

Mostert says that no matter how attractive moving out of the house, embracing independence and forging a new future may seem, there are two inevitabilities of life, other than paying tax, every young adult must face.

The first is that change is ubiquitous and the second is that getting better never stops. Learning, especially in an ever-shrinking global market, never stops.

“Disruption isn’t always as negative as we may think at first. Taking a moment to consider all the options available and considering an alternative that at first did not look like an option often allows a person to embark on a pathway towards success.”

Mostert says apart from the usual avenues of rewrites and remarks young people might consider when receiving less than stellar results, they also have the option of redoing Matric or even just improving their subjects, to ensure they can still pursue their dreams, albeit a little bit later than initially planned.

“At Abbotts College High School, students can enrol part-time to upgrade their subjects, for instance. This approach provides students the chance to increase their marks and that enables them to meet their tertiary Admission Point Score (APS) in order to be accepted to study in the field of their dreams.”

He says while many students may not be keen to return to a school setting, institutions such as Abbotts College provide a different kind of environment which is more in line with a college campus, because the focus is on academic improvement, not rules and uniforms.

“We believe that every student is able to develop and achieve academic success, wherever it is that they start from. Improving subjects or redoing Matric in an environment that treats you like a young adult while still following a structured and organised routine, enables students to put the disappointment behind them and become increasingly independent as they manage themselves and their learning.

“Last year was an exceptionally difficult one for the Class of 2020, and for those whose results are not yet in a space which allows them to pursue their vision, our message is clear. If you take a little extra time now to invest in starting from a solid foundation, this temporary hurdle will soon be forgotten, as you embark on the path that you intended a few months down the line.”’

How to Avoid Back to School Anxiety

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 12:14:07 GMT

Anxiety is your body’s normal reaction to perceived danger or important events. Anxiety is like your body’s internal alarm system that is set to alert you of dangers that may be life threatening and it helps your body to prepare to deal with danger. However, your internal alarm is not very good at recognizing what types of danger. For example, your body react by becoming nervous about being late to school and seeing a big spider in the bathroom in the same way. Neither are likely to cause real damage, yet your body remains alert and ready to run away in either case.

Anxiety or feeling nervous is normal and can be expected during times of transition and change, especially during times of unprecedented disruption like the current Covid-19 pandemic. The news and social media are filled with reports of the danger of Covid-19, the virility of the virus and how to stay safe from infection. This is especially true for children and teens going back to school after their normal routines have been disrupted.

Dealing with your child’s anxiety starts at home. The first important step is to reinstate morning routines after the time of online learning. Nobody copes well when they are tired or hungry. Anxious children often don’t feel like eating breakfast, they might not feel hungry, or become nauseous after eating breakfast. Also, make sure that your child wakes up early enough to avoid rushing to get to school. This also means that you must ensure that your child goes to bed early enough and not stay up, spending time on social media the night before they go back to school.

You are also probably stressed about safety and Covid-19 safety procedures. Remember that the school has an outstanding track record in keeping everybody safe during the past year. Thus, make sure you’re not passing your own stress on to your child.

When your child becomes unusually quiet, or starts to ramble, this can be an indication that they are anxious about returning to school. Children often seek reassurance that bad things won’t happen in order to reduce their worry. Rather than dismissing this behavior or becoming frustrated with them, acknowledge their fears. Avoid making light of their (and your own) anxiety by saying “there’s nothing to be worried about” or saying, “you’ll be fine.” Listen to them and acknowledging your child’s feelings and encourage your child to think of ways to solve his or her problem.

Focus on the positive aspects or returning to in-person classes. Encourage your child to re-direct attention away from the concerns about friends, teachers, homework and Covid-19, and direct their thoughts toward the positives of seeing their friends again and building relationships and new friendships, having the opportunity to interact with teachers and the safe environment of the school.

Do:

• Be a good listener

• Keep a good and positive sense of humour

• Give positive feedback

• See fears from your child’s perspective

Don’t

• Lecture or interrupt

• Try to analyse or unpack their emotions

• Overreact or jump to conclusions

• Mock the things your child finds important

Dr Jacques Mostert

Brand Academic Manager

My Teaching Philosophy

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 12:32:04 GMT

As an individual who has pursued an academic career by obtaining a Masters in Medical Microbiology from the University of Pretoria, and has lectured to students in the fields of physiotherapy, medicine (2nd-year doctors) and to undergraduates in the medical sciences, I have learned to understand and appreciate the role that education plays in our society and around the world. When I transitioned from the tertiary setting to the secondary schooling setting, I knew that a few adaptations would need to occur on my behalf, but my passion and overall teaching philosophy has remained steadfast and constant.

Throughout the four years that I have been teaching in secondary schooling institutions, I have found that being an educator means more than just the stereotype of someone standing in front of a classroom of students and dictating information from the various resources that are provided by the schools or department of education. Although this does form part an educator's role, there is a lot more to teaching than this. One of the primary functions of an educator, according to my philosophy, is that he/she should play a role as a mediator of learning and should mediate between the students and the learning process. By doing this, the educator teaches the learners how to learn and build knowledge for themselves, instead of relying on the educator to do everything for them. In a way, as educators, we are responsible for the development of the learners' cognitive ability to obtain and process information that will help them in the real world. We are also accountable for teaching learners to take responsibility for their educational development and progress, especially when they take on further studies in their tertiary academic careers.

I have found that being an educator entails a holistic role as a caretaker, in that we are responsible for more than the educational needs of a student. As teachers, we are tasked with more than just teaching students about subject knowledge. "Teaching" is a broad term that can be applied to other facets of learners' lives, such as their moral, ethical and personal perspectives of the world around them. It is for this reason that I take on an inter-parental approach when I teach my students and deal with the many different problems. Be it educational or personal developmental needs that my learners may have. This plays a significant role in my teaching philosophy, and I feel that I cannot fulfil the role of a responsible educator without incorporating this into my everyday teaching practices.

Each teacher has their own unique and individual methods that they use to teach their students in their specific subject disciplines. I thus feel that no matter how well developed my teaching skills and knowledge become, I am always able to learn and add to my understanding, as part of being a teacher is fulfilling the role of a lifelong learner. The teaching methods that I use include the conventional dictation of the work at hand, but I always find it in the best interests of the learners if I add onto the knowledge that I pass on to them by explaining the content in ways that are practical in the world today and also add a bit of background to arouse interest, to keep the learner's attention. Instead of just repeating the content in the textbook, I always try to turn the lesson into an informative discussion that incorporates the learners by allowing them to add to the debate. This also gives me some insight into the prior knowledge gained by the learners from previous years or their degree of general knowledge. By making the lessons learner-centred, I find that the learners become more willing to want to participate during the classroom contact sessions and that the learners are generally more likely to understand the work that was discussed on that specific day.

By adding to the resource's content, I do realise that this could lead to the learners becoming overwhelmed with information. Therefore, I must highlight the main concepts that I need them to grasp. The extra information has helped the learners in the past to be able to give me some explanation when they are struggling with a specific section of work or a particular question that is posed to them during the testing or examination procedures that take place throughout the year. I also find it helpful in that it helps to develop their thinking patterns and ads to their knowledge, as it gives the learners a more detailed explanation of what is being dealt with, but once again, it is necessary to highlight the key concepts for the students. This method of teaching fulfils the focal areas of my teaching philosophy.

Another method I use that also reflects my teaching philosophy is ensuring that the students are enriched by the activities that they are expected to complete. Whether it is activities from the resources that I use or activities that I set up for them, I will always show them how the exercise will help them to relate to the topic that is discussed. I find this to be an essential part of my teaching method as it gives the students a sense of the necessity of the activity and leads to them not just feeling that I am giving them mundane work or tasks to complete. The learners are, therefore, able to see the value of doing the work and I also find that this, at times, helps gives the learners a sense of value from what they are doing in my classes.

I feel that the way I teach helps the students to "learn how to learn" instead of them just taking the information given to them and trying to remember it for recall when they are assessed/examined on the work. The methods I use, reflect my teaching philosophy as they encourage the learners to build on their knowledge and also teaches them to take responsibility for the work that they are dealing with. I am a keen believer that students should not just be encouraged to learn/remember their work, but that they should rather understand the content instead of remembering it. Not all students are able to take up large volumes of information and remember everything. This is why I strive to make sure that the students understand what they are being taught and why they are being taught the specific content that they are faced with in the curriculum for Life Sciences.

Finally, my teaching philosophy dictates that I also stand back at times and take on the role as a mediator of learning as it is imperative that the learners get a feel for the work and the tasks that they have to partake in. It would be futile to just give the learners notes and the pages of the textbook that they are using and tell them to learn/remember that, whilst I simply provide them with an explanation of the work. Leaners have to learn how to approach and handle the work on their own terms as students are all unique individual with their own mechanisms that they use to cope with the content and volume of the topics they need to know. I do, however, need to be there for the students if they need guidance or direction with the work they are tasked with doing.

All teachers have their own ideas and teaching philosophies, but I like to base mine on what I find to be effective and what I see makes the students more cooperative and willing to learn. The duty of an educator is not one to be taken lightly as teaching students plays a crucial role in their development and their mindset, especially towards pursuing a career in an academic field or one day deciding to take their education further. I would be utterly displeased if I were the reason for a student not wanting to pursue a career in the sciences because of the philosophy I had as their educator. By building a relationship with the learners and by being open with them about my teaching philosophy, I feel that I can make a positive impact on their schooling career.

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The Role Of Technology In Education

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 13:03:53 GMT

The Benefits Of Technology In Education

In the wake of a global pandemic impacting the way our children learn, the importance of Edtech has never been more prevalent. Whilst traditional forms of learning are still very much relevant, technology in education has found an even greater role to play. From smart classrooms to home learning, the possibilities and benefits seem to be endless.

At Abbotts College, we’ve always been open to the power of technology and the way that it promotes accelerated learning. It’s why we’re proud of the way that our educators and school integrate it for even more effective lessons. Here are a few benefits of technology in the educational realm.

1) A greater learning experience

Whether it’s an alternative learning school or a more traditional one, the help of technology in education helps students enjoy an enhanced academic journey. With tech capturing and retaining their attention, they’re more likely to remember what they’ve learned. It also enables teachers to provide more engaging lessons that students actually want to participate in. With greater learner involvement, there’s a much greater likelihood of high results.

2) It promotes access to learning materials

In a traditional education setting, students can only access books and resources when they are physically present at school. Thanks to digital and technology, learners can now access what they need to learn anytime and anywhere . This means that learning can happen beyond the time frame of a normal school day.

3) Students can learn at their own pace

Many technologies facilitate enhanced learning for individual students. This is because they don’t need to wait for others to catch up before moving on to the next chapter or task. As a result, learners remain engaged and stimulated without becoming bored or frustrated.

4) It prepares learners for their future careers

No matter the industry your child might venture into, most involve some sort of reliance on technology. This makes the use of technology within the educational setting a great way to make them more comfortable with it. Even if their dream job doesn’t involve that much technology, the way in which they navigate the world around them certainly requires a fair amount of technological know-how. For this reason, it is advised that students spend a healthy amount of time using devices that could help them communicate, learn and grow.

Smart classrooms with a difference

If you’d like your child to embrace the current challenges of the new normal and successfully navigate an ever-changing world, perhaps it’s time to join us. At Abbotts College, we don’t believe in school bells or uniforms, so your child is free to learn and thrive in a way that prepares them for the future.

If you’re interested in applying for your child to join us in 2021, please click here!

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How 2020 Has Changed The Traditional Education Model

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:12:27 GMT

How 2020 Has Changed Education

2020 will forever be known as the year that COVID-19 shook the world and changed the way we lived, worked and learned. Thanks to the global pandemic, there has been a huge change in education. As an alternative learning school that’s always done things differently, we welcome change if it allows us to improve on the way we do things. Whilst learning during a pandemic hasn’t always been easy, our students have risen to the occasion to achieve some fantastic results. How has education changed? We’re taking a closer look below.

The rise of smart classrooms

A recent study on COVID-19 estimated that over 1.2 billion children were forced out of their classrooms and into a home learning environment. This change in education, and where our children are able to learn, has since driven the expansion of smart classrooms. These virtual learning spaces have allowed many to pick up where they left off and perhaps even enjoy accelerated learning thanks to digital and its technologies.

A shift towards blended learning

Thanks to the pandemic, there has been a greater need for learning that combines the best of traditional and online worlds. This has resulted in the use of online tools and technologies like laptops, apps and websites as a means to attend lessons as well as complete and submit tasks. Although it must be said that COVID-19 has highlighted the ever-growing digital divide as students and schools without devices and connectivity have been largely unable to learn during this time.

Greater discipline for all

This shift to attending virtual classes has been a period of adjustment for students and even their parents. For learners, they’ve had to get used to focusing and performing whilst sitting behind a screen in their own homes. It’s something that certainly takes some practise as it’s easy to get distracted. For parents, navigating online learning schedules and assisting with tasks via digital platforms has also been a challenge at times too. Moms and dads have become educators too, in addition to their 8-5 jobs and the running of the household. All in all, it’s certainly built new skills and a whole lot of character too.

It’s taught our children about more than just learning subjects

2020 and its curveballs have provided many opportunities to learn about the world and about ourselves. For our children, they’ve got to experience a historic event that impacts every aspect of life. It’s also helped them learn valuable lessons about appreciating their own space. Then, there’s how to be responsible for their education whilst learning from home. Our young people have certainly had to grow up a little more than usual but we’re proud to see how Abbotts College students have come through this trying time. This is a testament to their will power, our educators and of course our parents who have reinforced learning at home.

The future of learning is bright

At Abbotts College, we’re always looking ahead to ensure that our students get the most out of their time with us.

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Is your child missing school due to depression?

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 09:25:44 GMT

Teenage depression is becoming all the more common these days. According to the World Health Organisation, it’s the number one cause of illness and disability in adolescents. This could be due to a variety of factors that include not being happy at school, struggling to make friends, and even the changes that are part of adolescence. When it comes to flagging depression in teenagers, knowing what to look out for can make all the difference. Not only does this make parents able to identify it, they’ll also be able to take action and offer support before it’s too late.

Is teenage depression the reason why your child is missing school? Whilst not every child is the same, there are many red flags that parents should be taking note of. Often, these might be once-off occurrences and as a result, are nothing to worry about. Should you notice that these persist or if there are any patterns, it is definitely time to step in. Here are a few tell-tale signs that might apply in your family’s case.

1) Irritability, anger and indifference

With depression often taking a toll on sleep patterns, it’s common for teens who are suffering to become angry or irritated at the drop of a hat. They might be inclined to lash out at friends or family members. You might even notice that they’re more impatient than they were before. Indifference is another indicator and your child might seem as if they don’t care about anything really. This is depression stealing all feelings, both positive and negative. If your child appears indifferent when they do something that they’d normally love, it could very well be depression.

2) Pulling back from things and people they used to enjoy

Aside from appearing indifferent, if your child tends to avoid people, situations and activities that they once loved, you might want to pay attention. This is one way in which depression takes a toll on teens. This is usually followed by them making excuses to skip or cancel things they wouldn’t have missed normally.

3) Aches, pains and fatigue

Believe it or not, depression is also a physical illness. This means your child might have symptoms like joint pain, headaches, stomach discomfort, back pain or even exhaustion. If they’re using these to miss school on a regular basis, it’s time to take action.

4) A tendency to give up

Depression leads to helplessness and hopelessness. These two things trigger low self-esteem. This could see your child giving up on goals or relationships that were once important to them. You might also notice that your child distancing themselves from friends and activities like sports or other hobbies.

5) Changes in their school marks and eating habits

With the low concentration and decreased energy that comes with depression, your child might have a hard time getting the good results they once did. You might notice that their marks have dipped. It’s also worth talking to their teacher to see if they’ve noticed anything in class. Where eating is concerned, your child may start to eat less or even binge on certain foods in an attempt to soothe their feelings.

At Abbotts College, we support your child through every avenue of their school career. It’s why we offer our students and their parents everything they need for a successful educational journey.

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Coping with COVID-19 related stress as a student!

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:44:16 GMT

“Don’t stress yourself out with things you can’t control or change”

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in stress related issues that are affecting many students. Students are experiencing higher than normal stress and anxiety levels together with the uncertainty about their future.

In addition to the usual stressors that students face, many are dealing with online learning, loss of household income, loss of employment by parents, the fear of getting the virus and the loss of loved ones to the coronavirus. This has brought on a wide range of thoughts, feelings and emotions on how to complete the 2020 academic year.

During this difficult time, we must remember that we are not alone – you’ve got this.

As the 2020 year draws to an end and the final examinations are approaching, students need to stimulate positive thinking in order to overcome this hurdle. Nobody knows for certain what the COVID–19 pandemic will bring next. You have to start with identifying the things you can control.

Believe it or not there are things that we can control during this period of disruption.

Here are a few things you can focus on to help you with Coping with COVID-19 stress as a student:

“Don’t stress yourself out with things you can’t control or change.” – Unknown

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Povendree Pillay

Abbotts College Northcliff

6 steps to improving Physical Sciences results – A note to parents

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 11:38:21 GMT

I have been involved in Physical Sciences education for more than 27 years. My experience in teaching the subject, as well as my involvement in the National Matric Final Examinations, has helped me identify ideas that assist in improving Physical Sciences proficiency and it gives me great pleasure to share these ideas with you.

Nobody learns to walk from a textbook. It is the same as developing a scientific mind. We learn to walk after trying what seems to work better for us during that stage of our development. An important part of this learning takes place with help from our parents. Imagine how much longer it would have taken us to walk without their encouragement and support.

While we pay homage to our loving parents and guardians and gracefully say a big thank you, I would like to remind parents that their involvement in their child’s education does not stop with facets they are not proficient in, for example, Mathematics or Science. Just as a parent or guardian who cannot walk can encourage and support a young child to walk without assistance, a parent who is not proficient in Mathematics or Science can assist their child to improve in these subjects.

Ideas on how this can work:

1. Establish the level at which the learner is at with their Mathematics

My first suggestion is to establish the level at which the child is with Mathematics. If there are gaps then it may be a good idea to get a set of Grade 8, 9, and 10 Mathematics study aids, like PRACTMATHS by Seeliger and Mouton. The study aid that you choose must have complete solutions and not just the answers. It would have taken the child a whole year to complete the Grade 8 Mathematics syllabus but may just take 6 to 8 weeks to complete the same syllabus the second time around. Then get the child to move onto the Grade 9 Mathematics syllabus and then onto the Grade 10 Mathematics syllabus. Once the child completes the above Mathematics syllabi, he/she will have grown confident in his/her Mathematics abilities. The growth of confidence is of paramount importance to assist learners in their academic growth.

Once you have built the confidence that is required in the learner’s Maths abilities, you can then look forward to improving Physical Sciences skills. Please note that Mathematics and Physical Sciences are both practise subjects and as such, the learners will constantly need to apply their knowledge to problem-solving as often as possible. We cannot expect to use the jug and mug method of dispensing skills to learners.

2. Recall facts

The other skill to focus on is the ability to recall facts contained in terminology, definitions, or theory. The learner must be able to grow his/her memory and recall skills. The good news is that growing memory and recall skills are similar to growing muscles. Just as someone who focuses on a certain muscle group during fitness training sees results in that muscle group, a learner who practises in Maths and Physical Sciences will see the appropriate results from his/her investment of time. Learners must be encouraged to set goals and work towards their goals.

We are often led to believe that the sciences do not require the swotting of facts. This is not true. While most concepts are mastered with the focus being on the concept, there are many facts to remember. Make a list of these facts and ensure that the learner knows these facts timeously. Do not accept the excuse that the learner does not understand the concept and, therefore, cannot learn the facts. This is an age-old excuse for not making the effort to learn terminology, theory, and definitions, so be tactful when approaching this excuse from learners.

My suggestion is to get the learner to make flashcards. The flashcards must have, for example, the term on the front and the definition on the back. This way a parent may test the concept without even remembering or knowing the concept. I would suggest that learners take an A4 sheet of printing paper and make four flashcards. Learners may punch the cards using a paper punch. These flashcards can then be filed. The learner can always add to their bank of flashcards as they progress from Grade 10 to Grade 12 in Physical Sciences.

3. Make use of media:

We must encourage the use of media (such as YouTube) to view videos on topics that the learner may find challenging. Research skills are important in all subjects.

4. Monitor the progress of the learner:

Set aside time to monitor the learner’s Maths homework. Ask the learner to complete all other homework in your absence but set aside about 20 minutes a day to monitor the learner’s Maths homework. A Physical Sciences learner cannot afford to fall behind in Mathematics. A poor Maths mark is crippling to performance in Physical Sciences.

Sir Richard Branson once said: “if you expect to collect milk from a cow, don’t take a chair and sit in the middle of the field where the cow is and expect the cow to come to you and give you the milk you require”. Go out there with a plan and make it work. Making it work may involve changing strategies along the way. Making it work may even involve starting again with a new strategy. Be amenable to change as change is a constant in life.

5. Practise, practise, and practise some more:

Since Physical Sciences, as well as Maths, are both practise subjects, learners must be encouraged to practise these subjects constantly. Working through past papers is a proven strategy.

6. Positive reinforcement:

One must not forget the benefits of positive reinforcement and every little bit of progress made must be celebrated with praise.

I wish you well on your journey to improving Physical Sciences with your child. At first, it will be hard work, just like walking was once hard work. Give it some time and soon the learner will be jogging and even sprinting in these subjects.

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Things You Should Remember When Applying To University

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:09:21 GMT

Things to remember when your child applies to university

Applying for university can be a stressful time for both parents and children. Once you’ve helped them decide what and where they’d like to study, it’s time for the application process to begin. When it comes to submitting a university application, it’s imperative that you tick every box and all in good time too.

Allowing your child to do what’s best for them is the first step in applying for a university. Don’t try and force your dreams or hopes onto them. They need to choose a programme that’s aligned with their talents, passions and goals for the future. That way, they’re more likely to graduate from university with a qualification instead of dropping out because they aren’t interested in what they’re studying.

Although it’s been a strange year, life has still progressed. Your child will soon be off on their next adventure, tertiary education.

Here’s what you and your teenager need to bear in mind when it comes to applying for university:

1. Take note of all necessary dates

This includes closing dates for applications, payments and even registration. Don’t allow your child to miss out on their chosen course and institution because it slipped your mind. Put reminders on your phone, fridge and even on the family’s shared calendar. Remember, applications need to have reached the university before the closing date to make sure your child can be considered. This means taking into account methods of submission like online, postage or courier. If you need extra time, make sure you factor this in.

2. Have all examination results ready

Your child will need to submit their grade 11 exam results. Normally, mid-year results would also need to be submitted. However, this year has been an exception. Due to COVID-19 , the Department of Basic Education announced that this year's matriculants will be writing their mid-year and final examinations all in one go.

Include the results in the application but do provide a certified copy and never the original in case these are lost in the post.

3. Double-check everything

No one enjoys paperwork but when it comes to your child’s future, it pays to make sure that every detail on their university application is correct. Take it slow and re-read everything once you are done. A black pen is normally considered best for filling out applications.

4. Don’t forget to sign and include supporting documents

Both you and your child need to sign the declaration on the application after verifying that everything is correct. Make sure that you and your teen know what you’re signing. Where supporting documents are concerned, the application will require certified copies of all IDs (including your child’s). You might even need to include proof of residence and one of your most recent payslips. Again, never send originals, rather send certified copies.

5. Pay the application fee

Before you send off the application, make sure you have paid the application fee and sent off the proof of payment. If you like, you can include a copy of this proof of payment within your child’s application pack before submitting everything.

6. Give your child the best chance at a successful future

At Abbotts College, our non-traditional approach to learning sets our students up for a successful career. For more on us and our schools, please click here.

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COVID-19 – What does it mean for learners and teachers?

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 03:00:03 GMT

How has COVID-19 affected you?

It’s one thing for those in the private sector to be surrounded by five or ten colleagues and maintain distance during the day; but for the ones who work in the public sector, going to schools and entering hospitals, it’s indeed a scary thought - equating pretty much to walking amongst landmines every minute of the day.

The devastation of the many months of COVID-19 lockdown, coupled with the parental concerns regarding formal education and mental stimulation of students (especially for those in rural areas with little or zero infrastructure for online learning) has a devastating impact on every one of us, and the domino effect will exacerbate existing disparities in the system and the marginalized communities.

The parent concerns and the part that Unions and government are playing in this matter is of great importance and impact on the future of our nation.

Many parents are unprepared for homeschooling and its challenges. For many the lack of knowledge in technology, the use of laptops and online assistance, a TV, or just the unavailability of any network access is daunting. This makes an already vulnerable society further stressed out with anxiety.

For others who are fortunate enough to have access to a refined infrastructure that is favourable to the privilege of homeschooling, it’s no less daunting. As whatever happens to one side of society spirals and affects everyone down the tube in one way or the other.

Job losses, a break down in the health and education systems, and the lack of broad-based development - which together makes up a great part of the spinal cord of any society - will be the undoing and collapse of our economy. There goes our country.

We are, and have been, dependant on the essential services. All essential workers, including teachers and health workers, have risen to the challenges that society has asked. And if any of you feel you have had enough - remember that at the end of the day, Your Life Matters.

We urge every learner and teacher to take care during the COVID-19 crisis, follow the protocols from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and make sure to keep learning throughout the #lockdown.

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Abbotts College. Change Schools, Change your life.

Is there a winning formula to study effectively? - Part 2

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:59:40 GMT

If only students spent half as much time studying, as they thought they were, then almost no student would struggle to achieve higher marks. Improving your marks is not as hard as most students think. It is not about how much time you spend studying and not achieving the desired result. Some students are at the top of their grade without spending hours studying for a subject. What can be done to achieve better results? Study effectively.

Most students think that spending hours studying will help them achieve higher marks. If you go out and investigate this, you will find that numerous students do this and do not necessarily achieve the desired results. Part of this problem with a lot of the students is that even when they say they are “studying” most are not. They most probably are studying whilst talking to friends or watching a movie, to name some examples. So that leaves you questioning whether they are spending that much time studying.

You can spend hours on end studying, but if you are not 100% focused on studying, you are missing the point. It is extremely difficult to switch your focus between different tasks. Some might say that they do achieve results by listening to music and studying, but how do you get your focus back after having discussions with a friend. You need to understand that your brain will choose what it wants more. One can mention multiple examples, but at the end of the day, it is all about focus. In other words, you need to study where and when you do not have any other distractions.

To enable yourself to focus try the following steps.

You need to be consistent and develop a habit of studying at the same time every day. In other words, you need to train your brain to get focused at the same time every day. It might take some time to get used to it and it will help you from the start of an academic year. It might take you up to three weeks to develop this habit. The best is to study even if you do not have any upcoming tests. Naturally, you need to revise the work you have learnt that day at school in the afternoon.
You need to study and learn to work faster with more accuracy. You need to keep your brain interested in what you are doing. You can for example make flashcards and try to get through them as fast and as accurately as possible. It will also help if you work on studying from the first day of school. By doing this you break the work down into more manageable pieces to study. By the time you write exams or a test you will be fully prepared for all your subjects and it will take less time to revise your work.
It is important to study somewhere where there aren’t any distractions. Your bedroom isn’t always the best place to study since you might have a few things that might distract you. If you have a study in your house this might be an ideal place to study. Most people do not have this luxury and it might work if you remove anything in your bedroom that might distract you. It is also important to switch off every distraction, for example, your computer or cellphone.
The last important thing is to study with questions. This all depends on the subject you are studying. An effective way is to set yourself a hard to answer questions and answer them. It will be ideal if it is a broad question that covers a variety of aspects.

By making the above mention guidelines an everyday habit, you should be able to improve your results. Getting focused and prepared for studying is important but it must not be something that you should stress about.

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Is there a winning formula to study effectively? - Part 1

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 22:30:07 GMT

There just might be.

To understand the concept of effective study, we need to understand and establish what the process entails. Study skills refer to methods and techniques that aid effective learning, especially viewed as a set of skills that can indeed be acquired or taught, i.e. the ability to study effectively.

If students were to spend quality time studying effectively, almost no student would struggle to excel. The first step, therefore, is to set clear and achievable goals and objectives in a particular field of study. The improvement of marks is not as hard as most students might think. It is a proven fact that most students have no idea what the word “study” actually means. The misconception that excessive hours behind a desk, guarantee good marks, is misleading. Some students are at the top of their grade without spending hours on a subject. What can be done to achieve better results?

Firstly, the student must set clear, achievable goals by following a formalised, daily study programme. The issue of actually understanding the learning content contributes greatly to reduce time behind a desk. It is, therefore, advisable to be in contact with teachers and/or peers to explain learning content that the student does not understand. There is no point trying to summarise or study learning content that the student does not understand.

The next necessary step is to summarise important points and create ways and means of remembering these indicators, like using a mind map, coloured markers, flash cards, etc (these have been proven to help study effectively). Therefore, the student must experiment to find the best way suited to his or her individual needs to remember notes, summaries or mind maps.

Organisational skills and effective time management help a great deal to categorise information in context of a topic or a subject. Another great source of motivation is creating study groups or getting a study partner and organise the content according to a scheduled programme and adhere to time frames. The value of synergy in helping to study effectively is greatly under-estimated.

Students often attempt studying while actually being distracted by television, music, cell phones, social media and constant interruption by something. The trail of concentration is basically non-existent and there can be no effective learning while constantly being challenged by never-ending distractions.

Additionally, it is always advisable to first focus on subjects that the student finds challenging. Small victories in a difficult field of study, greatly inspires any student and builds self-confidence. Repetition is the mother of successful study; therefore, it is always a good idea to revisit learning content and revise the previous day’s work to the point of total satisfaction and understanding. In this regard it is also a good idea to constantly work out old exam papers and have these marked by the teacher to further identify and assist with problem areas.

Lastly, it is good to remember the following words of Winston Churchill “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”. One must employ sheer will to succeed and be willing to make great sacrifices in order to study effectively and succeed.

To learn more tips from our teachers and educational experts, click here .

To learn more about Abbotts College, click here .

To learn about the Abbotts College experience, click here .

Feel free to call or email one of our correspondents.

Are you okay?

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:53:14 GMT

It seems like a simple enough question, consisting of three simple words. Responses like: ‘Yes, I am fine’ or: ‘No, I am not okay’ might be enough, under normal circumstances, but nothing around us is normal now. Our lives have changed drastically.

When a total lockdown was announced in March of this year, none of us really realized what the implications of that was going to be. Three weeks seemed like a reasonable time to be isolated. The three weeks turned into five and then it turned into Day 100-and something. Things that came so naturally to us, like hugging a friend, visiting family, or going to the movies, are now forbidden. Birthdays and other celebrations now happen via Skype or Zoom, and we all must keep a 1,5-meter distance from each other. This is not normal for any human being.

The entire school environment has changed. Faces of smiling and laughing students are now hidden behind masks. Hands and desks need to be sanitised ever so often and many students prefer to attend classes online, rather than physical classes.

Will we ever be okay again? Is what we are currently experiencing, our ‘new normal’? To the first question I would like to answer: ‘For sure!’ and to the second one: ‘Hopefully not!” - I cannot imagine never seeing the friendly smiles, that are now hidden behind masks, from my students again. We as teachers have certainly learnt to adapt during these challenging times. As adults we need to understand that children and adults do not handle situations like this the same. Children need to know that they are safe – whether they are at school or at home – and we (as parents and teachers) should make sure that they feel safe and, even if we have our own doubts and worries.

Practicing positive thinking in these trying times is not an easy thing to do, but in the end staying positive is going to be our saving grace. We all need to focus on what is still good and beautiful in the world.

“When we take the time to stop, look, observe, we see beauty all around us.” Sr Stan

To read more of our insightful blogs from Teachers, Child Development Experts and even Parents, click here .

To learn more about the wonderful work we do at Abbotts College, click here .

Alternative schooling – The answer to COVID-19 and life beyond?

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 09:37:56 GMT

Alternative Schooling might be the answer to COVID-19 and beyond. Here's my opinion.

The impact of COVID-19 and the national lockdown in South Africa on the 2020 school year of high school children is a burning issue in many homes throughout the country. Much has been said and written on this topic. What the exact extent of this impact will turn out to be eventually remains to be seen, but what cannot be denied, is the significant disruption of teaching and learning in by far the majority of schools.

Every parent, teacher and learner have felt the undeniable impact of having to find a way of preventing a whole school year of disappearing into oblivion. The success of these efforts range from quite successful, to utter failure. This naturally causes great anxiety for parent and child alike, particularly if the child is in matric, or grade 11 (the two years in which marks become crucial for university entrance).

Regrettably, when people become anxious, they tend to take desperate leaps; always with good intentions, but too often without having considered the correct information and more often-than-not, ending up worse than where they started from. In the same breath, it must be said that a well-researched change, could end up being the saving grace of both the child’s academic progress as well as the parents’ sanity.

In considering a change of schooling methods in these uncertain times, so-called “alternative schooling methods” become quite popular and the offerings suddenly abound in the market: home-schooling, online schooling, hybrid-teaching, international curricula, alternative curricula… what a minefield! Therefore, one will do well to consider the following three matters:

Radically alternative

Although radical alternative measures seem attractive to get away from “the mess at my child’s school” or “the mess with the Department of Education”, measures such as moving to a purely home-based online offering where the parent magically has to step into the role usually fulfilled by 7 teachers, or even migrating to a non-South African curriculum sold to parents as the “key to international recognition” may not only be even more disruptive for the child, but could lead to unintended consequences further down the line, which could cost not only a lot of money to rectify, but even a year or two extra in school to meet tertiary institutions’ entrance requirements. In a worst case, yet all too possible scenario, your child could have to give up on his or her dream career because the qualification obtained at school is not officially recognized or even just simply below standard. It is important, however, for you to do more research on these alternative schools to weigh the pros and cons.

The status quo

When considering the above pitfalls, one cannot be blamed for thinking that you are stuck with what you have. Yet, when it is obvious that the current set-up is failing a child, it is a sin not to act. Is keeping a school closed indefinitely during uncertain times serving my child? Surely not. Is it fair to my child to expect him to face this year alone, accessing material uploaded but without any support, or even ploughing through a myriad of websites suddenly claiming to be the oracle of wisdom on schooling? Is it helping my child to attend school only every second day, or week? When things go back to normal one day, where will the focus be of my child’s school: an improvement in marks to build a future, or all sorts of other activities? Will the online tools, currently being praised as the next best thing since sliced bread, just as easily be discarded when things return to normal?

Alternative in the right areas

Once it has become clear that drastic steps can cause too much harm, but things cannot continue as they are at the moment either, the option that offers an alternative approach, but in the right areas and with the right focus, is clearly the right way to go. Excellent results in the nationally accredited examinations, officially allowing the child access to tertiary studies, are non-negotiable. A school with an alternative approach when it comes to all the “sideshows”, and rather a strong focus on what is important would be the ideal long-term solution. What is important for my child’s future: an approach to schooling that has not changed since being copied from the factories of the first industrial revolution? A senseless fixation on army style appearance rules combined with colonial standards, poorly camouflaged by unsubstantiated promises of effective discipline? A fanatical win-at-all costs extra-mural programme gobbling up an inordinate amount of time each day? Certainly not.

Parents should choose a school that focuses on academic improvement; that nurtures and supports the individual academically through the availability of teachers, even after hours; that guides young people in their career path and life choices through personal mentoring; that allows personal freedom but instills responsibility within a safe and caring environment; that possesses the ability to adapt quickly to global crises to ensure the leaders of tomorrow do not lose out on teaching and learning through no fault of their own; and a future-focused strategy to incorporate the lessons learnt of the COVID-19 lockdown to the continued benefit of its students.

A tall order? Yes. Alternative. Definitely, if doing the right things can be called “alternative”. Achievable? Absolutely! When considering the way forward for a child’s schooling to equip him or her with the tools to face tomorrow, the time has come for parents to start taking their own homework seriously.

Is COVID 19 Causing People To Miss Out On Once-In-A-Lifetime Moments?

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 07:25:51 GMT

Are you okay?

“Nostalgia has made its home in our hearts, hopefully not indefinitely.”

COVID-19 had fundamentally changed the way in which we view and live our lives. It has led us to worry about our parents, children, jobs and our very lives. No one could have predicted that COVID-19 would affect so many people, ultimately resulting in countries being forced to lockdown, and shut down schools and public places. It took us all by surprise and has affected so many lives worldwide. We did not anticipate that we would have to be taking such precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of this virus. There have been many inevitable issues that have come up for some families to date; such as living in toxic environments at home, coping with anxiety, depression and other issues that are making social distancing extremely difficult. And amidst all this chaos, we cannot deny the fact that we are being forced to recognize the thread and weight of humanity that connects us all. We can now closely understand other people’s pain and suffering because we know how it feels. We are invited to ‘empathize’ with those who have lost their homes, jobs, and to mourn our commonly shared experiences, rituals and ceremonies. The Nostalgia has made its home in our hearts, hopefully not indefinitely.

“It had to become priority to put the COVID-19 social-distancing policies and practices in place in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic.”

The loss of family and friends from the virus and the effects the pandemic and lockdown on one’s economic wellbeing has been devastating. This health crisis compounds stress and anxiety, and many have experienced severe side-effects in the face of isolation from normal social life. It had to become priority to put the COVID-19 social-distancing policies and practices in place in order to curtail the spread of the pandemic. This, however, has meant that large gatherings (theatres, beaches, sports, weddings, graduations and many more) have had to either close, or adhere to very strict social-distancing procedures (guided by the various levels of the lockdown). Leaving many, particularly the elderly, much more hesitant to travel or go far from their homes. It is a known fact that milestone celebrations across the globe take a lot of planning and consideration; be it a birthday party, anniversary celebration or a wedding. The anxiety and panic of one’s event falling within the period of the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t only affect the people celebrating the event, but the planners and caterers as well who have had their bitter experience from the start of the lockdown.

Events such as sports have been a major contributor to social development and to a country’s economy from decades past. They have served not only as just a ‘sport’, but have also encouraged physical activity by promoting and enhancing health and social inclusion. Social and physical distancing has disrupted this experience and many other regular aspects of life. Other social rituals such as weddings, funerals, births and many others have been unifying moments shared across South African cultures and families. Pre-COVID-19, there were many other rituals that are remembered by societies, communities, churches and families today. Events such as graduation ceremonies, Matric dances, the bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, baptisms. These are ceremonies and events that give weight to our communal and shared humanity. Having these stripped off from our common practices has torn into something very special between groups, religions and organisations.

The uncertainty of having celebrations while there is the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and choosing whether to cancel, postpone or rather to wait for the pandemic to clear has become a dilemma of the century. Weddings in particular, have been downsized, postponed or cancelled. This has and continues to add to our experience different kinds of grief: Grief for the lost rhythms of daily life; such as going to work (gathering for meetings), travelling across cities and provinces, physical contact, and finally, we grieve our ever so loved and enjoyable social rituals that remain the epitome of societal traditions and customs.

“What then can we do at a time when we can’t gather?”

Doing without rituals, celebrations and events has the potential to leave individuals with possible guilt, trying to fill a void, and feeling disconnected from others. It impacts us all differently. Some more than most, depending on circumstances and personal resiliency. While the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we need to embrace and create practical ways of turning our experience into an opportunity, making meaningful moments that can hopefully soften the blow of missing our milestone once-in-a-lifetime events. So, what then can we do at a time when we can’t gather?

There have been so many individuals who have decided on rather going ahead with their plans, despite their inevitable challenge of dreading to plan during a COVID-19 pandemic. An alternative option is to host an online ceremony, and this has been spreading like wildfire. Families and couples are deciding to, instead of postponing ceremonies and prayer meetings, rather host these events on a digital platform. Although one can mention several disadvantages for such a choice, it is only right to highlight the unifying spirit that such a platform has offered for connecting and witnessing.

“We need to implore strategies of coping better during this time”

Since this pandemic will still be with us for a while, we need to implore strategies of coping better during this time. How we respond in the coming weeks and months has the potential to change and shape society as we know it- there will be a huge difference in the way this entire experience is remembered and, hopefully, how we see others and ourselves if we all participate and do our part.

As the education system learns to cope with this crisis, we know that part of their response objective is to negate the negative impact that this pandemic may have on learning and schooling. We hope to come out of this with a stronger and deeper sense of a shared humanity. We must continue practicing self-care, working on our inner selves, healing, developing, growing, and loving ourselves and others through the crisis.

I end by reflecting on the captivating words by Kitty O’Meara as an envisaged ending of our experience.

”And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”

~Kitty O'Meara

To read more insightful blogs from our teachers and educational experts, click here .

To find out more about Abbotts College and the work we do, click here .

Feel free to call or email one of our correspondents

Reference List:

Bas, D., Martin, M., Pollack, C & Venne, R. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on sport, physical activity and well-being and its effects on social development. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, (73).
Fetters, A. (2020). The Pandemic’s Long-Lasting Effects on Weddings: Even after big parties are safe, smaller, intimate ceremonies are likely to persist. Unchartered.
Timsit, A. (2020). Coronavirus is causing people to miss once-in-a-lifetime moments. Irreplaceable.

9 Skills All Teenagers Should Know

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 10:52:48 GMT

Important skills for teenagers

We all want what’s best for our children. It’s why we try to teach them things we think they ought to know. From social to domestic and even financial , there are many skills for teenagers that will set them up for a happy and productive life. When it comes to imparting such vital learnings, it’s tough to know what to teach.

At Abbotts College, we like to empower our students with everything they need to make a success of themselves at every stage of life. As a result, we assist both them and their parents at every stage of the educational journey. Where life skills for teenagers are concerned, our school and its educators lay a solid foundation of values and ethics. This drives the skills that they need most.

What are our top skills for teenagers? Here are the ones that we believe every child should master.

1. Budgeting and financial management: Does your child know the value of money, understand how to follow the budget and respect the concept of saving? What they don’t learn now will impact them far worse later.

2. Basic food preparation: Every teenager should know how to prepare a few simple, healthy and affordable meals . This will help them stay nourished and save money in the long run.

3. How to look after their health: Knowing what medication to take for certain ailments and when to get to a doctor is the key to helping them stay healthy. Help them put together a medicine kit and teach them how to use it.

4. The importance of social skills and manners: Basic greetings and eye contact go a long way.

Not only will this help your child make friends, it’ll also enable them to network, land jobs and even make good first impressions.

5. Personal hygiene and grooming: This is imperative to help them practise self-love and put their best foot forward. How to dress appropriately for every occasion is an important skill, as is bathing daily, brushing teeth and caring for nails and hair.

6. How to change a tyre: The value of this one is only realised once your child is stuck on the side of the road with a flat. Show them and make sure they know how. It’ll help them avoid danger.

7. Key domestic tasks: How to do laundry, how to iron and how to do a basic clean or their room or apartment. This makes them responsible for their surroundings and ensures that they can keep them clean.

8. Good work ethic: Work is an important part of life and without it, we cannot enjoy the lives that we want. Give your child chores or encourage them to take up a part-time job so that they can appreciate the life and opportunities that work affords them.

9. Basic first aid: Teach them what to do in an emergency and arm them with the correct numbers to call. Show them how to clean a wound, administer CPR and apply pressure to an injury.

The skills they need to succeed

Our non-traditional approach to learning fosters life skills and enables our students to achieve everything they set out to. For more on us and our schools, please click here - Our Schools

To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link: Apply Now

If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here: Enquire Now

How To Teach Your Teenager About Money

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 11:55:23 GMT

Teaching your teen about financial literacy

When it comes to teaching teens about money, parents can find this rather tricky. As much as we want to give in and deliver everything that they ask for, it’s important that they come to understand the value of money and why they need to conserve it. How should you tackle the topic of financial literacy with your teenager? Here’s what we suggest.

1. Help them set some goals

Whether it’s a new skateboard or smartphone, coming up with a savings plan will teach them how to save, the value of money and even how rewarding it is to work for what you want. You’ll also be teaching them delayed gratification, something that can only help them in later life.

2. Show them how to earn money

Do they need to get a part-time job, sell sports equipment they aren’t using or help out a little more around the house? Part of financial literacy is teaching kids that money is something that needs to be earned. It can’t just be expected or asked for. If there’s pocket money in place, what do they need to do to earn that allowance? Remember, a handout never helped anyone.

3. Teach them the difference between wants and needs

When you’re young, everything you desire is something you need. You need new clothes, a new laptop and even that bar of chocolate. As you come to learn the value of money and what it takes to get these things, you soon learn to separate your wishes into needs and wants. Helping your child identify both from a younger age is a great way to lessen frustration when they don’t get what they want. They’ll also be practising that delayed gratification we spoke of earlier. This will lead to less impulsive purchases and fewer financial dips later on in life.

4. Give them a budget

If you are going to treat them to some new clothes or treats, give them a budget and take them shopping. Let them become aware of pricing and have them add up the value of the items that they want. What should they put back in order to fall within the budget? This helps them make sensible choices and not to spend above their means.

5. Talk about money

Have conversations about money, budgeting and saving from a young age. This will help open up the narrative surrounding finances, which will result in healthier spending. It’ll also help your child speak up if they ever fall into debt one day, something many don’t mention until it’s almost too late.

6. Let them make mistakes

If they want to blow their pocket money on something silly, let them. Sometimes, they only need to do this once before they realise that their money could have been better spent somewhere else. It’s better for them to learn this now than later in life when they have greater expenses and responsibilities.

Non-traditional learning for a lifetime of success

At Abbotts College, our learning approach builds important life skills that enable every student to reach their goals and truly thrive. To learn more about us and our schools, please click here .

To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link: Apply here

If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here: Enquire here

Is there a winning formula to studying?

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 09:58:26 GMT

If you ever thought that time = results, you need to rethink your formula. Staring at a textbook for an extended period will certainly not magically transfer the knowledge to your brain.

One of the easiest ways to convince your brain that remembering information is important, is to expose yourself to the information repeatedly.

In addition to simply repeating content over and over again, you might read your textbook and then try to write down the information when you start revising.

We use our senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) to take in information about the world around us and we use our thoughts and imagination to make sense of the information and to help us recall it.

The following tips can be applied to help you recall information more efficiently when studying:

• Use pictures - We think in pictures, we dream in pictures, so using pictures and visualisation can help you recall the information studied.

• Recite aloud - Recite your work aloud and listen to yourself or listen to a recording thereof.

• Use your senses - Have you ever had the experience of a scent reminding you of something that happened long ago? You could smell a certain scent while studying something important and try to associate the smell with what you must remember. Then use the same scent to jog your memory.

• Tracing words - Use your finger to trace out the letters. Think about what the surface feels like and try to remember the movement and the shape of the letters - this will help you remember them.

• Use stories and symbolism - Our imagination uses things like stories, humour, symbolism, colour, and exaggeration, so use them to help you remember.

It seems like there might be a winning formula after all:

method + focus + time = results

How To Choose The Right High School For Your Child

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 08:54:40 GMT

What Makes A Good High School?

When it comes to choosing a high school, it’s tough to select one that balances your needs and your child’s. Although it is more about them than it is about you, you’re the one who will be paying school fees and who will be left to deal with the decision once it’s been made. What makes a good high school though? We’ve put together a few characteristics and factors to consider.

1) Reputation is everything

Embarking on the process of “how to choose a high school” often starts with what others have to say about it. Try and research the schools on your shortlist as much as possible. There might be articles online, social media pages and even word of mouth from people you know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, a school worth choosing is more than happy to answer them. If not, they might not value communication.

2) Do they participate in the broader community?

Community involvement is most definitely a reason for choosing a high school for your child. Not only does this keep your child and your family invested in the community, it also helps to improve it too. This could be in the form of outreach initiatives that support and empower local residents or causes who need it most.

3) What is the attitude of the students who attend the school?

A good school produces students who learn because they want to and not because they have to. Does the school’s approach to learning encourage kids to give of their best and is there sufficient academic support to help those who need a boost? Knowing that a school uses every avenue and resource to the benefit of the students who attend it is a sure way to know it’s a good option for your child. Again, speak to those whose children attend the schools you are considering.

4) Is the school inclusive?

Whilst rules are a given at every high school, you might want to question whether they are in place to include every student or exclude certain ones. A good school has a code of conduct that aims to empower every child to be who they are and give of their best. It should also have a strict anti-bullying policy that unites students, encouraging them to support one another.

5) Does the school consider the end goal?

The best schools are the ones who keep the end goal in mind. At Abbotts College, we do this in several ways. For starters, we look at each child individually and evaluate which alternative activities they need to bring them closer to their goals. Then, we do everything we can to set them up for the best possible matric results. That way, they can go on to conquer any tertiary programme they choose. Then, we involve the parents so that they can help their children reach their full potential.

Make the right choice for your child

At Abbotts College, we choose an alternative approach to learning. This helps our students achieve their goals and exceed their own expectations. We also provide an inclusive environment where they can be themselves. For more on us and our schools, please click here .

To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link: Apply Now

If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here: Enquire Now

5 Study Tips For Online Learning

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 15:19:01 GMT

Online Classes - Tips For High School Students

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly caused a few changes in the education world. This has led to schools providing online classes so that learners don’t fall behind. Although all grades are open at Abbotts College and our students have returned to class, those who prefer online learning during lockdown are allowed to do so. If you’re curious to see what our virtual classes entail, please click here.

For those students who are continuing on their online classes journey, we’ve put together a few tips to help them make the most out of this time.

1) Set up a designated home study space

First, we’d like to start off by saying that your child’s bed doesn’t count. If they don’t have their own desk in their bedroom where they can study, a spot at the dining room table, away from distractions, will do the trick. That way, they’ll know that sitting at the table means it’s time to get cracking. Make sure they place their phones away from them and that there’s no TV in sight.

2) Make time for breaks and exercise

Hitting the books and completing lessons is important but so is taking a breather. Help your child create a realistic and maintainable study schedule that they can stick to. This should include breaks for meal times and fresh air where they can walk around and even get some exercise. This kind of balance will help them get good results and keep their spirits high.

3) Keep connectivity up at all times

Wi-Fi connectivity is a must for proper virtual learning. This makes a dip in the signal a setback for students learning online. If you have access to a dongle or if you have additional data on your phone to use, you could use this as a hotspot to keep your child connected to their online lesson. You might want to consider setting your child’s study area up near where the signal is at its strongest.

4) Organisation and time management are key

Make sure that your child has everything they need for the lesson before it commences. Ask them to prepare the day before so it’s not a mad rush to get organised before their virtual class begins. This is a good way to help your child navigate their own responsibilities when it comes to their own education. Time management in the form of the schedule we mentioned above will also help them keep up with lessons too.

5) Stay in touch with teachers and fellow students

If your child is unsure of anything, encourage them to reach out to their teachers and ask their questions. Keeping in touch with their classmates will also help them with staying abreast of their school work. It’ll help them feel less isolated too as they’ll still be in contact with the friends they’re used to seeing every day.

Educating your child the way that they learn best

At Abbotts College, we empower our students to give of their best every single day whether it’s online or in our physical classrooms. For more on us and our schools, please click here. Our Schools

If you’re ready for your child to join us at Abbotts College, please visit the following link: Apply Now

To send us an enquiry, please address it to us here: Enquire Now

No 4 - Smart Ways to Improve Your Verbal Study Style

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 12:59:40 GMT

Can you remember things more easily if you write down information using your own words?

Do you enjoy reading about and discussing topics that you are studying?

A student with a Verbal Study Style learns best when reading, writing and speaking. If you are verbal learner, these five study strategies will help you improve your studying at High School.

1 Read out loud when you study

As a verbal learner it is important that you both see and hear words when you study. For this reason, reading your work out loud is particularly helpful. The dual action of speaking and hearing yourself has been shown to be a more effective way of remembering information than either silently reading work or listening to a recording of the content. Read this article to find out more about how reading information out loud to yourself improves your ability to remember content.

2 Restate or script your lessons or notes

It is extremely helpful for a verbal learner to rework their lessons or notes using different words and sentence structures. When you restate information in your own words, you fix it in your mind because you have now put it in a style of language that makes sense to you.

Scripting is when you rework the information into a story. Our brains love stories and find them far more entertaining and memorable than lists of facts. As a verbal learner, you have the language skills to take information and transform it into an entertaining story. The following YouTube video by Story Greenlight identifies three tips on how to write good stories.

3 Read around a topic

Reading around a topic will help you to get to know the subject on a deeper level so that you are not dependent on simply learning the facts. The wider and richer your knowledge on the topic, and the more background information you have, the easier it will be for you to remember the content without having to “study” it.

The best way to read around a topic is to read up online, particularly looking at recent news and journal articles. Always check the date of the web page or when the article was written to make sure you are not reading out-of-date material. And remember, you can ask your teacher to recommend suitable websites, articles, or books for you to read.

4 Create a personal dictionary of important terms and concepts

Knowing the meaning of words and using terminology correctly to describe concepts is important to a student with a Verbal Study Style. You may therefore find it helpful to create a personal dictionary or glossary of terms, concepts, and words that you want to remember. Here is a template that you may want to copy.

5 Form a Question and Answer study group

Invite like-minded verbal learners to form a study group with the specific aim of asking significant questions on difficult topics so that you can come up with model answers.

You may want to follow this methodology:

• Pose a critical question.

• Invite the group to suggest ideas on how best to answer the question.

• Now ask each other probing questions about the suggested answers, including the simple question, “Why?” and “Are there any other possible answers?”.

• Refine your answer by asking additional questions until you all agree that you have created a model answer.

• Write down the question and the well-formulated, well-considered answer.

If you have a Verbal Study Style, try out these five study strategies and adapt them so that they work best for you. These study strategies will make learning easier, more fun and improve your studying at High School.

5 Ways To Prevent High School Burnout

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 09:35:26 GMT

Tips On How To Prevent Burnout In High School

Have you noticed that your child appears to be demotivated and even anxious? Whilst this might be due to the pandemic, it could also be a sign of high school burnout. With an increased focus on online learning over this period, it’s possible that your child might be feeling the pressure. With academic and school burnout presenting a very real threat to the wellbeing of your teen, here’s how you can recognise and prevent it.

How to spot it:

If you know what to look for, it’s fairly easy to flag before it starts to negatively impact your child. Should your teenager be struggling with this kind of burnout, you might notice that:

They have no motivation when it comes to schoolwork.
They appear and feel exhausted even if they’ve slept well.
They are irritable and sometimes lash out at those around them.
They seem less confident in themselves and can’t concentrate.
They complain of headaches or muscle pains.
They are less creative and less likely to meet their deadlines.
They get sick more often or feel anxious and depressed.
They’ve lost interest in the things they used to enjoy previously.
They’ve taken to bad habits like later bed times, nail biting or even eating badly.

Getting a handle on it

Where burnout is concerned, there’s a lot you can do both as a parent and as a family to ensure that your child comes through this rough patch. With a little patience and a lot of love, your teen will soon be back to their old, happy self again.

1) Reshuffle the schedule to include things they love

Yes, children thrive on routine but in times of burnout, they need to have a few spontaneous activities to bring back their spark. When you add these into their normal school week, they’ll start to feel a bit more motivated. This could be a session in the kitchen, a walk around the neighbourhood or even a craft.

2) Make sure they’re exercising

Exercise is a fantastic way to mitigate the impact of stress. This makes it an optimal tool for dealing with burnout. It’ll also help your child get outdoors, allowing them to reap the benefits of fresh air and vitamin D. Aim for short sessions of activity at least three times a week.

3) Encourage them to stay social

When your child is burned out, they can become withdrawn. As a result, they pull back from friends and those who can help them feel better. By making time for friends and family, they can get their positivity back and spend time with those who bring out the best in them.

4) Avoid procrastinating at all costs

They might be feeling down but procrastination is certainly going to make your teen feel worse. Wherever possible, help them stay on track with deadlines so that they can still get the satisfaction of delivering what they need to. It’ll also help them keep their routines in place, whilst preventing additional pressure and stress.

5) Create safe, open channels of communication

If your child ignores their emotions, they’ll only continue to get the better of them. Creating a safe space for them to talk about their experiences will allow them to express themselves. It’ll also ensure you can help them. Make sure your child isn’t bottling things up and promote them sharing their emotions. Lead by example and share yours so that they know it’s normal to do so.

At Abbotts College, we keep the best interests of your child at heart so that they can be the best versions of themselves. Our mentoring system allow students to receive one on one guidance from their mentor teacher. To read more on us and our schools, please click below.

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No 3 - Five Smart Ways to Improve Your Aural Study Style

Wed, 13 May 2020 10:03:29 GMT

Do you understand information best when you hear it? As a student with an Aural Study Style you prefer to listen and speak to improve your studying at High School.

Can you remember things more easily if you read them out loud?

Do you enjoy participating in class discussions?

A student with an Aural Study Style needs to hear things to learn easily. If you are an aural learner, these five study strategies will help you improve your studying at High School.

1 Study with people so you can discuss what you learn

An aural learner needs to talk about what he or she is learning. If you work with a study buddy or in a study group, you will have many chances to explain ideas, and to listen to how others voice their views. When you practice rephrasing what you have heard, you reinforce your understanding, which helps you retain knowledge for longer.

Studying in a group also allows you to ask people questions. If you then take it in turns to answer the question, you will hear the material again and again. For an aural learner, hearing this material said over and over is a valuable way of building a memory pathway.

2 Use ‘out-loud’ self-quizzing methods and the ‘empty chair’ technique

Self-quizzes will help you recall what you are learning, particularly if you test yourself ‘out loud’. Ask yourself questions and answer yourself audibly so that you can listen to your answer.

The ‘empty chair’ technique is a method used in psychology to help people express themselves as if a real person were sitting opposite them. You can adapt this method to help you study out loud. Imagine a friend or your teacher is sitting on the “empty chair”. Explain to them or teach them your work.

3 Record yourself reading your notes

Most smartphones allow you to record yourself speaking, which is ideal for aural learners. Record yourself reading your notes, defining key terms, and listing important facts. You can also record yourself reading your setwork book or poetry out loud.

Play the recording to yourself while you go for a walk.
Close your eyes so you can focus on what is being said. Listen to the recording and then repeat back what you have heard.
Listen to the recording while you are doing mundane tasks like getting dressed or tidying your room.

If you have an Aural Study Style, you must hear information to improve your studying at High School.

4 Create catchy mnemonics and rhymes

Aural learners respond well to funny, catchy mnemonics and rhymes to help you remember lists of facts. If you add your favourite or a well-known tune, this will cement the memory even further. Read this blog to find out more about different types of mnemonics you can use to help you. Some well-used mnemonics are:

MRS NERG (7 characteristics of Life – Biology)
PEPE (4 types of Rivers – Permanent, Episodic, Periodic, Exotic)
Risk In Life Is Real (5 factors to consider when making investment decisions: Risk level, Investment Period, Liquidity, Inflation Rate, Return on Investment)
MAIN (4 causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliance System, Imperialism, Nationalism)

5 Listen to wordless music while you study

Aural learners are often distracted both by silence and by noise. If it is too quiet, auditory learners find themselves overwhelmed. If it is too noisy, then aural learners become interested in what is going on around them. An ideal way to help aural learners is to create what is known as “white noise” through listening to specially designed study music. This music helps to block out noise. It does not distract you from your work. Some people suggest that it can even enhance your ability to focus. Why not try listening to this recording while you study to see if it helps you?

If you enjoy this music, consider subscribing to this free South African You Tube Channel that produces lyric-free, relaxing music.

If you have an Aural Study Style, try out these five study strategies and adapt them so that they work best for you. These study strategies will make learning easier, more fun and improve your studying at High School.

References

https://wordcounter.net/blog/2016/10/24/102568_what-are-mnemonics.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2HDJP10qSQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LXhPbmoHmU&t=30s

Design as a Life Skill

Thu, 07 May 2020 07:51:26 GMT

Since the dawn of time man has had an innate urge to protect himself using clothing, shelter and communication. Looking at historical civilizations: designers and inventors created the loom to weave materials for clothing. People created signage for their shops and made advertisements for their goods. Language became a written form of communication.

War brought about the biggest strides in the development of new inventions and designs. New weapons were forged, from the sword to gunpowder to the present use of military drones even.

The Industrial Revolution was a great contributor to the development of farm implements to revolutionise the farming industry. It also created opportunities for designers to developed new ways to create everyday objects at an affordable price so that the average Joe could also have for example: aesthetically pleasing, designer-made furniture in their homes.

We rely heavily on the architects and interior designers to create wonderful spaces for our homes and offices, making it as comfortable and productive as possible.

The consumer market evolved from people bartering (or exchanging) goods for goods to the exchange of money (when the humble coin was introduced by the Roman Empire). This stands in high contrast to the way we buy and sell today.

We can buy and sell goods online and can almost live completely cashless. Because of our online lifestyles, a lot of advertising takes place on our devices and does not solely have to be on hard copy anymore.

Software designers have created a booming gaming industry in which players are visually stimulated to partake in games and are no longer merely observing passively.

Observing the evolution of human nature, we realise that within us all exists an instinctiveness to create new things to address our needs. We have made changes to existing designs to create better and more efficient goods around us and will continue to create new things in the future. What was revolutionary in the past has most probably become outdated or even redundant today.

With the spread of the Covid-19 virus, people are forced to be more creative with regards to how they work and teach from the comforts of their own homes. Program and end-user architects have made apps and resources available to use in a creative manner. People who feel that creativity is not their strong point now have the tools to create innovative, interactive and visually stimulating resources for people to use. This steers mankind into the new world of collaboration, content creation and resource sharing.

Lastly, I ponder why design is such an important subject in school… the answer is simple: We are training young minds to be the future inventors and designers of products and services that don’t exist yet. We are teaching them to be inquisitive, innovative and creative to impact the future. They are the holders of potential that will blow our minds in times to come.

No 2 - Five Smart Ways to Improve Your Visual Study Style

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:35:53 GMT

Can you remember things more easily if you read them?

Do you prefer it when your teacher draws or writes on the Smartboard?

A student with a Visual Study Style needs to see things to learn easily. If you are a visual learner, these five study strategies will help you improve your studying at High School.

1 Make visual hierarchies of your information

The brain finds it much easier to store information if it has a clear overview of what it must retain. If you are a visual learner, the best way to give your brain this overview is to make a visual hierarchy of the content you are studying. You are then giving your brain a filing system so that when you study, it knows where to store the information so that it is easily accessible later.

Here is an example of a visual hierarchy.

2 Make notes, summaries, Mind maps and flash cards

Making notes, rewriting notes and making summaries is an ideal way for a visual learner to study.

For sections of work which have short answers, make yourself flash cards. There are many online sites that will assist you. This site lets you make flash cards , study them and then it creates a test for you.
For more complex work, Mind maps are a useful way to structure and link information. Here is a video that will help you learn how to make a Mind map .

3 Use colour to highlight important points

Colour can help visual learners remember information. So, use colours to highlight words, underline headings and to circle important points.

Choose which colours you want to use for which purpose, and then consistently use these colours. Your brain will learn to associate these colours with specific functions. For example, choose a colour for your main headings, and another colour for sub-headings, a colour for keywords and a colour for important points.
Limit how often you use colour so that the colour you do use makes the important information stand out.

4 Link the content you’re studying to visual images

As often as possible, try to link what you’re studying to visual images. Imagine a scenario in your mind or use the Memory Palace technique to help you fix ideas in your mind.

A memory palace is when you imagine a place you know well. You then plot a route through this place marking “stops” along the way. The number of “stops” is equal to the number of points you must remember. You then link a point to each stop, practising it in the order of your route. Click on the link below to find out more.

5 Watch videos on the topics you’re studying

As a visual learner watching videos on the topic you are studying will help you remember the content better. There are many free educational videos available that will help to enrich your knowledge.

If you have a Visual Study Style, try out these five study strategies and adapt them so that they work best for you. These study strategies will make learning easier, more fun and improve your studying at High School .

References

https://www.cram.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brTMbPyhZY0

https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Memory-Palace

Productivity Tips During COVID-19 & Learning From Home

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 07:03:19 GMT

Lockdown Productivity Tips For The Family

With the extended lockdown, it’s more vital than ever for parents to drive productivity at home. There’s no shame in admitting that most of us are spending all day in our pyjamas, lacking routine and probably getting pretty complacent. Now is the time to turn things around. Here are some productivity tips to help the whole family during this time.

Start the day the same way you would during normal times

Remember when you would set an alarm, shower and get dressed for the day? Now’s the time to get back to that. Not only does routine help us mentally, it also helps us stay emotionally strong in a time that makes a lot of us feel uneasy. There’s something very comforting about a daily routine and knowing that it needs to be done to start the day. Making your bed is another one of our productivity tips that we swear by. This simple task symbolises the start of the day.

Talk about how you are all feeling

Lockdown will impact every member of the family differently. This doesn’t make conflicting emotions wrong, as each one is totally valid. At one point or another, you might all hit a dip in morale as the monotonous nature of every day starts to weigh on all of you. It’s okay and more than that, it is completely normal. Check in with the family each day over dinner and ask how everyone is feeling. Facing these emotions sooner rather than later will help you and your children work through them. This will assist in remaining productive and happy over lockdown.

Stick to a schedule

We’ve already talked about the benefits of following a daily routine in the mornings. Why not keep this going throughout the day? Schedule times for eating, relaxing, doing crafts, exercising, and completing school work. This will help maintain a degree of normalcy and ensure that the kids remain disciplined and respectful of the rules. The same can be said for adults who are working from home during lockdown. No matter your age, everyone needs a good routine to keep them grounded and focussed.

Make learning a priority

Whether it’s online classes via MS Teams or classroom tasks to be completed at home, your child needs to be focussed on their school work. This will keep their minds stimulated, prevent boredom and help them settle back into school life once the lockdown is over. They’ll also be less likely to fall behind the rest of the class, something that’s important to keep in mind. For adults, now is the time to pick up new skills and hobbies. It might be as simple as reading a new book or trying something different. Use this time to explore the things you’ve never had time for in the past.

Stay social

You might be in lockdown with your partner and kids but you need to maintain contact with those outside of your home. From relatives to friends, we could all use a good catch up with those close to us. Apps like Houseparty allow for numerous people to video chat at once, whilst playing fun games that allow everyone to laugh. During this time, we need to stay connected, even if we’re far apart. This helps us decrease the feelings of anxiety and isolation. When you’re feeling happy and content, you’re more likely to be productive.

From everyone at Abbotts College, we wish your family a safe, healthy and productive lockdown period. Don’t forget that we’re here to help should you need us.

To read more on us and our schools, please click here .

If you’re ready for your child to join us, please visit the following link to apply .

For a more general enquiry, please address it to us here .

How To Make The Most Of Your Time During Lockdown

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:22:51 GMT

How Your Child Can Make The Most Of Their Lockdown Time

We’re well into our 35-day lockdown and making the most of more time is high on the list for many of us. When boredom sets in, kids can get anxious, destructive and very unmotivated. This isn’t ideal when you consider that they’ll need to return to school at some point. Whether it’s rest, new skills or online learning, here’s how you can help your child and ensure that they’re making the most of isolation.

1. See time as an investment

Seeing these extra days at home as a gift that can be used for good is the first step to helping your child stay happy and healthy. Making the most of more time is a mindset that can be of use to every member of the family. By looking at this period as an opportunity to spend time together and invest in themselves, everyone will be more likely to emerge from lockdown as better people.

2. Get them into the kitchen

Whether you know it or not, your child will need to learn to cook at some point. Why not start them off on learning those family favourites now? One day when they reach university they might be living alone and need to make themselves nutritious meals. Give them a head start and let them help with making lunches, dinners and snacks. This will come in handy if they’re ever homesick and even one day when they want to make their kids the food that they grew up with. Start simple and let them get creative, you’ll be amazed at how much fun they have.

3. Stay up to date with school work

Many schools are using online lessons and digital learning to stop students from falling behind. Encourage your child to attend these lessons and do the work. They will only have themselves to blame if they miss out on concepts that everyone else learned during lockdown. Doing the required reading is also a great way to get ahead. Even if they’re only set to read your books later on in the term, why not read them now to get a good idea of what they’re all about?

4. Try new things

Over this time, it’s an ideal opportunity to learn a new skill. Whether it’s a language or something they couldn’t do before like crocheting or playing the guitar, there’s lots to be learned. If your child wants to pursue a new language, sites like Duolingo have easy and fun courses. These will help them pick up a new dialect in no time. No matter what they learn during this lockdown, knowledge is still knowledge and they’ll be keeping their brains active.

5. Focus on the “forgotten” chores

As the year goes on, many of us tend to push back the tasks around the house that we weren’t wanting to do. This might include the spring cleaning of cupboards, reorganising bedrooms, tidying up the garage and even emptying their school bags. Now is the time to get those grudge activities out of the way and enjoy a cleaner, more organised space. It’ll also help your child develop an improved sense of respect for their home.

6. We’re all in this together

From the Abbotts College family to yours, we wish you all health and happiness during this time. Remember that soon, this would have passed and one day we’ll get to look back on these memories with gratitude. Make sure you create moments that make you smile with your children.

To find out about our schools, please click here .

If you want to apply for your child to join us, please do so here .

To get your general enquiry answered, please send it to us here .

No 1 - Five Smart Ways to Improve Your Study Style

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 12:58:08 GMT

Are you finding it difficult to study?

You might be trying to study using a study style that doesn’t suit you.

We all have ways of studying that work better for us. And, knowing about different study styles can help us choose study strategies that will work best.

1 Find out about the different Study Styles

• Do you study most easily by reading and looking at pictures?

• Or is it simpler for you to study when listening to someone?

• Maybe you study best if you do activities yourself?

• Do you prefer studying with your friends or alone?

How you study best describes your study style. Your study style may be:

• visual (seeing),

• verbal (words),

• aural (hearing),

• physical (doing),

• logical (organising),

• social (studying with other people) or

• solitary (studying on your own).

Look up the below infographic to read about the different study styles.

2 Identify your main Study Style

Find out what your main study style is so that you can improve your high school studies by learning more quickly and effectively.

There are several different tests you can take. Why not try this one?

3 Find out what study strategies work best for your main Study Style

So now that you know your study style, find out which study strategies support your study style.

For example, if your main study style is visual, then a study strategy could be to underline and highlight important points and use different colours when making notes.

In the next few posts, we will describe some study strategies for the 4 main study styles (visual, verbal, aural and physical).

4 Identify other Study Styles that might work for you

Many of us have more than one study style that works for us. This is great as it means we have more study options.

When we have lots of studying to do, our brains really like variety. So, even if you have one dominant study style, read through the next few posts to see if you find any of the suggested study strategies attractive.

5 Make a list of all the Study Strategies that will work for you

Now it is time to write down your favourite study strategies onto a piece of paper and pin it up near your study area, so you can easily see it.

Whenever you find that you are no longer concentrating or you are not working well, look at this list and choose a different strategy to use. Just taking this first step will improve your studying at High School.

The Development of Self in Society

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:04:36 GMT

How Healthy & Balanced Lifestyle Choices Can Make Difference

The choices that you make, the actions that you take, the foods that you eat, and the friendships that you make, are all aspects that affect your daily life, as well as, your physical and mental health.

Wanting to take responsibility for your health begins with a promise t o yourself, to take control of your actions and your behaviour in ways that would decrease risks and increase your own personal wellness.

Three very important points for a healthy and balanced lifestyle are “physical, social and emotional wellbeing”.

Physical:

Are you fit and healthy?

Do you get daily exercise?

Do you eat nutritional foods?

Psychological:

Do you avoid risky behaviour?

Do you develop yourself?

Do you do your best at school?

Social:

Do you have good, positive relationships with family and friends?

Do you take the time to build up family bonds?

Do you take part in community activities?

These are all important points, because your character plays a significant role in your decisions, actions and behaviour. It will have an impact on your health and on you as a person.

It is extremely important to pay attention to “YOURSELF”, your focus should be on “YOURSELF”, before you start to focus on other people. We must learn to respect ourselves and our bodies.

Your psychological health is so important as this develops you as a person. Your mental and emotional health are one, they affect your overall psychological well-being.

• The way you feel about yourself.

• The quality of your relationships.

• The ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties.

If we are not able to deal with all our psychological emotions, we will struggle to build relationships with others.

Remember that you come first, you are special in your own way and you are beautiful and unique.

At Abbotts College, we believe in the value of mentorship for all of our students. Each student is assigned a mentor when they become a part of Abbotts. The Abbotts method is a comprehensive, highly structured approach to academic development, with supporting structured programmes to build life skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the development of self in society?
The development of self in society refers to how individuals grow and shape their identity through personal choices, relationships, and lifestyle decisions. It encompasses physical, psychological, and social wellbeing, emphasising the importance of self-awareness, healthy relationships, and community involvement in personal growth and character development.

How do lifestyle choices affect personal development?
Lifestyle choices significantly impact personal development by influencing physical and mental health. Daily decisions about exercise, nutrition, relationships, and behaviors shape your character and overall wellbeing. Making responsible choices decreases health risks while promoting personal wellness and positive self-development within society.

Why are physical, social, and emotional wellbeing important for self-development?
Physical, social, and emotional wellbeing form the foundation of healthy self-development. Physical health through exercise and nutrition supports mental clarity, social connections build relationship skills and community bonds, while emotional wellbeing helps manage feelings and develop resilience for personal growth.

Can psychological health impact relationships with others?
Yes, psychological health directly impacts your ability to build and maintain relationships. Your mental and emotional wellbeing affects how you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage feelings. Poor psychological health makes it difficult to connect meaningfully with others.

What role does self-respect play in personal development?
Self-respect is fundamental to personal development as it forms the foundation for all other relationships and decisions. Learning to respect yourself and your body enables better choices, healthier relationships, and stronger character development. You must focus on yourself first before effectively helping others.

How can students develop themselves within society?
Students can develop themselves by focusing on three key areas: maintaining physical health through exercise and nutrition, building positive relationships with family and friends, and engaging in community activities. Academic excellence, avoiding risky behaviors, and developing emotional intelligence are also crucial for personal growth.

What is the importance of mentorship in self-development?
Mentorship provides structured guidance and support for personal development, helping individuals navigate challenges and build life skills. A mentor offers perspective, accountability, and encouragement, creating a comprehensive approach to academic and personal growth within a supportive community environment. To talk to our mentors visit our open days to find out more.

How do you balance personal wellbeing with social responsibilities?
Balancing personal wellbeing with social responsibilities starts with prioritising self-care and self-respect. By maintaining your physical, emotional, and psychological health first, you become better equipped to contribute positively to relationships, family bonds, and community activities while making responsible decisions that benefit both yourself and society.

A Guide To Making High School Friends

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:22:44 GMT

How To Make Friends At A New High School

Making friends in high school can make even the most confident of people a nervous wreck. At this stage of your life, you tend to make some of your closest friends. High school friends are often the ones who stick with you for life. If you’ve entered into a new school without your primary school buddies at your side, you’re not alone. Many of us face the same struggle but soon you will have made some amazing new companions. Here’s how you can go about making friends.

Step one: Remember names

Part of making new high school friends comes with showing them that you’re interested in who they are. The best chance to make a good first impression is to remember their names when meeting them. To do this, find a way to link their name with a characteristic that they have or even a unique little rhyme about them. A name is important to every person as it makes them who they are. If you can remember this, you are more likely to earn their attention.

Step two: Wear a smile

There’s an old saying that goes something like, “smile and the whole world will smile with you.” Smiling makes people think you are friendly and warm. This makes it a good way to strike up a conversation and initiate a friendship. As a result, people will feel drawn to you and more willing to be your friend. It’s amazing how many things start with a smile. You might just make someone’s day.

Step three: Make people feel like they matter

Paying attention to people you meet during conversation is a good way to cement a friendship. This can be achieved through listening to what they have to say and asking them questions related to what they’ve said. It shows that you take a deeper interest in them and what they’re all about. This will make them more eager to tell you more about themselves and even ask about you.

Step four: Forget about popularity

Some of the best people you will ever meet are often not considered part of the “in-crowd.” In the same breath, a smaller group of trusted friends is often better than an army. We suggest focusing on making a few quality friends over being friends with the masses. Close friends add value to your life where a large number of friends will add stress and worry. You can also pay more attention to each of your friends instead of trying to spread yourself too thin.

Step five: Stay true to yourself

No friend is worth compromising yourself or your values for. Be who you are and those who are worthy of your friendship will appreciate you and want to be close to you. In order to have meaningful friendships, being truthful and honest with yourself and your buddies is a must. When you are authentic and genuine, your friendships will be the same too.

At Abbotts College, our schools set the foundation for meaningful friendships that last a lifetime. To find out about our schools, please click here.

If you want to apply for your child to join us, please do so here:

Apply Now

To get your general enquiry answered, please send it to us here:

Enquire Now

Healthy Eating

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:22:37 GMT

Have you ever heard the saying ‘An apple a day, keeps the doctor away’ or ‘You are what you eat’? There is a lot of truth to these sayings.

We are facing a huge problem in our society today because of poor lifestyle choices, one of the main ones being food. Unfortunately, people tend to consume more junk food these days. Most of the food being consumed is also highly processed, includes high volumes of bad fat and are loaded with salt and sugar. Junk food has become very popular as it tends to be cheaper and easily accessible. Some companies even promote these foods as being good for you, but the truth is that these foods are unhealthy and can even cause illnesses in the long term.

Ever wondered why our kids always seem tired and lethargic? Knowing that they’re much younger than us, we would expect them to be like little energiser bunnies! The reason for this is mainly because of their diets. Kids should be kept fit enough to be able to concentrate on their academics and extra mural activities. Eating balanced meals at the right times will help fuel their bodies for all of these activities throughout the day.

Food is our source of energy. Kids need food rich in minerals, nutrients and fibre. Their diets should include whole grain foods, dairy products, lean cuts of protein, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Drinking enough water goes hand in hand with healthy eating. There is no universally agreed quantity of water that must be consumed but, we need to remember that 60% of our body is made up of water. Water performs such important functions such as lubricating joints, delivering oxygen, cushioning sensitive tissue and gets rid of waste from our body among other things.

Bad nutrition can affect your physical development, your ability to concentrate and remember things as well as your behaviour. As parents and teachers, it is our responsibility to educate kids on the healthy life choices that are available to them. Let’s make 2020 the year that we start making important lifestyle changes.

5 Tips for packing a healthy lunch:

1. Get the kids involved.

Taking kids with when you go grocery shopping allows them to get involved and decide for themselves what they want to eat.

2. Make your own snack.

Processed and packaged foods have a high sugar and salt content. Making your own snacks allows you to prepare healthier alternatives.

3. Water, water and more water.

If kids find water too ‘boring’ add some flavour by adding cut up fruit pieces.

4. Limit your treats.

As parents we are often tempted to pack sweet treats. Try to avoid this as some kids may fill up on the treats and never get to the healthy stuff.

5. Make it fun.

Many kids get bored of eating the same things every week. Don’t be afraid to switch it up and try new recipes.

5 Time Management Tips For High School Students

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 03:12:36 GMT

Tips On How To Manage Your Time More Effectively

Mastering time management can be a challenge, no matter what stage of your life you’re in. For those who have just entered high school , this is an ideal opportunity to master important skills. Maximising time is one of them and can easily be learned through these tips.

1) Create a daily to-do list

Every day deserves its own list and on here, you can itemise what needs to be done and in what order. This will help with your time management as you’ll be able to see exactly what must be completed in a day. You’ll be more likely to feel a sense of achievement as well, proving just how much you can get done.

2) Be smart with those spare minutes

A large part of time management in school comes with the realisation that you could be using your free time better. Whether it’s reading instead of watching TV or choosing an interesting documentary over a fictional series, there are many ways to do this. You could also learn a new skill or language as opposed to spending hours in front of the television.

3) Don’t skip a good night’s sleep

If you’re not sleeping properly, there’s a pretty good chance you won’t be using your time productively. The more tired you are, the less likely you are to work at 100%. Sure, there might be times where you have to study later than usual or complete a project but don’t make this a habit. When you’re exhausted, every task seems extra difficult for both your mind and body. Make it easier on yourself by catching those z’s.

4) Stop wasting time by worrying

There are stresses that you will encounter on a daily basis but worrying about them doesn’t help. If you had to add up how much time you wasted worrying, it would blow your mind. A fear of doing something stops you from doing it, which would explain why worrying leads to procrastination. Want to get things done? Quit worrying and start doing. Plus, adding worry to the equation never helped anything anyway.

5) Ask for help when you need it

You might want to do everything yourself but nobody can do it all without help. If you feel like you need a little assistance, don’t feel shy to ask for it. Not only will this help you get things done, but you’ll also get things done faster. If you go it alone and struggle, who knows how long things might take.

At Abbotts College, we support every student so that they can go on to achieve everything they set their minds to . This includes our supervised homework sessions that allow our students to make the most of their time and get help when they need it most.

To read more on us and our schools, please click here .

If you’re ready for your child to join us, please visit the following link to apply:

Apply Now

For a more general enquiry, please address it to us here:

Enquire Now

How Parental Support Can Help Students Succeed

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 11:02:20 GMT

The role of parental support in your child’s success

Over several decades, there have been many studies that examine the link between parental support and the success of children. The combined results of the research confirm that the link is indeed a strong one. At Abbotts College, we offer student support through our supervised homework sessions , after school access to teachers, individual approach to academic improvement , regular feedback through our 7 reports and our mentorship programme. However, the impact of support from parents goes a long way too.

There are many benefits that can be seen from a healthy amount of parental support. For starters, there’s improved behaviour in the classroom. This is said to be parental involvement impacting a child’s attitude towards learning, school and even their self-confidence. As a result, showing interest in your child and their time at school can only yield positive outcomes.

Increased academic performance is another perk of being involved in your child’s school career. The more involved parents are, the more likely kids are to believe in themselves and give their best. Should any issues arise, these are resolved sooner when parents play an active role in their child’s life. Educators are also able to communicate more readily with parents who take an interest.

Students with parents who are involved are also more likely to progress to higher academic levels than those with parents who don’t partake. A parent showing interest is a sign of support to a child. It makes them feel as if they could and should progress further because their parents are there for them.

Teachers also benefit from parents who are involved because they feel greater support from them as well. When parents take an interest, teachers are able to get to know them better. It also makes communication between the classroom and home more seamless. This allows for any learning problems to be addressed.

It’s also important to remember that parental involvement benefits the parents too. Parents who take an interest are also less likely to worry about their child’s results and social relationships at school. This is because they’re aware of what’s happening both in the classroom and on the social front as students with parents who are involved are also more likely to talk about things that they aren’t happy with.

At Abbotts College, we’re as involved as you are and believe in working together as a unit of support.

Whilst our approach to learning might be unconventional , we stay true to the values that empower our students to give their best every single day. For more on us and our schools, please click here .

If you’re ready for your child to join us at Abbotts College, please visit the following link:

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How To Set Goals For 2020 | SMART Goal Setting

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 15:16:34 GMT

Helping your child set SMART goals for 2020!

When it comes to helping your kids live happy, fulfilled lives, goal setting is an important tool that should never be overlooked. Your child should learn how to set goals because it can lead to several benefits. For starters, it becomes a habit for life. This empowers them to strive for more and figure out what they want out of life. They also develop a healthy, positive attitude when they realise that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Most importantly, they discover that they are responsible for their own learning and behaviour. So, if they want to achieve something, it’s ultimately up to them to make it happen.

If you’re ready to guide your child in setting goals for 2020, why not do it the SMART way? This is a method that yields wonderful results and works well for people of all ages. It will also help your child break down their goals in a logical way. Let’s get SMART and get goal setting.

S is for Specific

The truth is, you’ll never reach those goals if you aren’t specific about them. Get your child to write down exactly what they want to achieve. The key here is to be as detailed as possible. For example, instead of “I want to be in the school play” they should go one step further, “I want to play a lead part in the school play”.

M is for Measurable

When a goal is measurable, you’ll know if you’re getting closer to reaching it and when you’ve crossed the finish line. To make a goal measurable, you can help your child break this down into elements that will help them track their progress. For example, getting better Mathematics results should be tracked with every test so that your child can see their improvement in their marks.

A is for Attainable

This is one of the toughest parts of helping your child set their goals for a new year – making it attainable. If your child wants to get an A for Science but is currently sitting on a D, guide them towards a smaller improvement like moving up to a C or B in Science so that they aren’t discouraged.

R is for Relevant

Your child’s goals need to be relevant to them and something that they actually want. Often, kids try to please their parents, teachers or peers instead of making themselves proud. Your child is twice as likely to achieve the goals they set for themselves if they really want it for themselves.

T is for Timely

Another key part of reaching those goals is using a time frame. Deadlines can really motivate so try to break the goals up into terms to inspire your child to action. Be realistic though so as to not apply too much pressure. Should your child need a little extra time, tell them it’s okay.

At Abbotts College, our non-traditional approach to learning helps our students achieve their goals and exceed their own expectations. For more on us and our schools, please click here .

To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link:

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If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here:

How To Get Ready For A New Year At School

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 13:33:30 GMT

Four ways to ensure you start the new school year on the right foot

When it comes to starting a new school year, it’s normal for parents and learners to feel a little nervous. With a new school year comes loads of possibilities. It’s a different class, fresh faces and even another teacher. To minimise your child’s anxiety and set them up for a wonderful and productive 2020, here are a few ways to help them.

1. Take them shopping for school items

At the start of the school year there are many things that need to be purchased. Taking your child along for the shopping trip could help generate some excitement. Where certain items are concerned, they’ll be able to choose what they like best. This will go a long way towards helping them feel happy and confident about going back to school. Luckily at Abbotts College you need not worry about purchasing uniforms, our students don’t wear uniform.

2. Get a good routine going

Make sure your child gets enough sleep and sticks to their regular bed and wake up times. This will help them feel ready for starting a new school year. To ease them into this routine, make sure they’re going to bed and waking up at these “school” times a week before they head back. Minimising technology at night is a wonderful way to help them fall asleep in the evenings and aids in a good night’s rest.

3. Talk about school

By remembering all their happy memories from the last year, you can help them look forward to what’s next. Did they win a race on sports day or have the lead in the concert? Talking about the highlights will make them more likely to approach the start of another year with a positive attitude. They’ll also be motivated to give their best in an attempt to enjoy similar successes this time around.

4. Take notice and act accordingly

As parents, we are normally the first to witness when a child isn’t acting like they normally would. If your child is eating, sleeping or behaving differently, there might be something going on with them at school. Should this happen, have a gentle discussion with them and ask them what’s going on. If there’s something you can do to help make the adjustment to a new school year easier, then do. Sometimes, you’ll need to chat to their teachers to make sure that they’re coping with the learning and social dynamics in class. At Abbotts College, our teachers engage with each learner one on one, every child gets the support they need to thrive through our mentoring system. This ensures your child can cope with those learning and social dynamics. We take great pride in the fact that our classrooms are places of growth and academic excellence .

We can’t wait to share another successful year with our learners

For everybody at Abbotts College, a new year is the perfect chance to get to know new learners and their parents. Thanks to our sound values and our non-traditional approach to education, our learners go from strength to strength with every grade they complete.

For our applications process, please click here.

For more information on our schools, please visit this link .

Should you have a general enquiry that you would like help with, we would be more than happy to assist you. Please use this link to get in touch with us today.

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Advice for Grade 8

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:10:39 GMT

Am I ready for high school?

There are probably a million questions going through your mind right now. Am I ready for high school? Will I understand the work? Will I make new friends? What are the teachers like? The questions are endless.

Not to worry! High school will be the best (sometimes-challenging) 5 years of your life. To help prepare you for high school here is some advice that could help you:

• You are going to make new friends and plenty at that. Make sure that the friends you make are people that you want to surround yourself with – people who will motivate you when you are struggling.

• Know that your teachers are people too – just like you! A simple “Hello Sir / Mam, How are you today?” will most definitely put a smile on their face.

• Plan plan plan! It is high school and the workload will increase. Good time management skills and organisational skills will benefit you greatly. If you do not know how to do it – ask your parents or a teacher. We are always willing to help. Never feel like you cannot ask for help.

In 2011, Mark Zuckerburg gave a speech at a Middle school graduation in Menlo Park California. He mentioned three things that can help you to move away from the ‘I can’t’ attitude.

The first thing he said was that everything that is worth doing is actually really hard and takes a lot of work. High school will be hard at times but if you put in the effort, you will reap the benefits. Do not be afraid to do the tasks that seem impossible at first. These tasks tend to teach us more about ourselves than we could ever imagine.

Secondly, he said that you have to focus on building great relationships. "When you go through school, a lot of people probably just tell you to focus on grades and doing the work. They don't tell you to focus on having friends and really enjoying yourself," says Zuckerberg. "But the reality is, that stuff is really important too”.

Lastly, he said that you should do what you love. "When you go home to dinner and you have the worst tasting vegetable on your plate, you can make yourself eat it if you want to," says Zuckerberg. You are going to sit in subjects that you do not like, especially in Grade 8 and 9, you just have to power through, as this will teach you valuable skills, like self-motivation and determination that will come in handy when you do the things that you love.

Now, stop being nervous and get excited for the most incredible experience of your life!

Inge-Mari Daneel - Grade 8: Grade Head

Abbotts College Pretoria East

Reference:

Shontell, A 2011, ‘Mark Zuckerberg’s 8th Grade speech, Business Insider, 9 June, accessed January 2020, https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerbergs-8th-grade-speech-2011-6?IR=T

5 Tips To Make Going Into High School A Breeze

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 13:20:39 GMT

Make the transition into High School easier!

If your child is going into high school, it can prove to be an exciting yet anxious time. When it comes to a formula for success, every child will need something a little different. As a non-traditional and unconventional school, we respect every learner’s unique mindset. It’s why we’ve put together a few tips to help them navigate the next phase of their life.

Where high school preparation is concerned, we’re focused on what happens the day you enter the classroom. From this day forward, each child needs to be alert, focussed and willing to work hard. Whilst your child might not know what to expect in high school, here is how they can make these some of the best years of their lives.

1. Be engaged from the start

Listening and taking notes is the first step to success in high school. By being present, your child is more likely to take in what is being taught. They’ll also be able to flag anything they don’t understand and ask questions when the opportunity arises. Learners at this level should be participating and collaborating with their classmates in order to gain maximum knowledge. This will also help form bonds with them.

2. Don’t fall behind

Going into high school, your child should know that homework forms a big part of revision and practising of skills and information taught. Staying up to date with tasks, projects and homework will help them excel in high school. It also teaches them to be organised and responsible for themselves and their education. At Abbotts College, our supervised homework schedules allow your child to complete as much of their tasks as possible at school. That way, they can ask any questions they might have and enjoy their downtime once they get home.

3. Make routine their best friend

A healthy, regular routine will help every high school learner give their best. It’s also predictable, making it easy for your child to follow. This will limit anxiety as well because your child knows what to expect and won’t be overwhelmed each day. Start with a good wake up time in the morning and a set time to leave for school. This will teach your child to maximise their time as well, something important for later life regardless of their career choice. Your child will also become more aware of things they do that waste time.

4. Put an end to procrastination

Most of us like to procrastinate more often than we care to admit. This can only hold us back, especially when we’re striving for certain goals. Encourage your child to do what needs to be done sooner rather than later. Whether it’s cleaning out their school bag or finishing a project, procrastination will never help them in the long run. It’s an unhealthy habit that can actually hinder them.

Read about how to avoid procrastination .

5.Give them a high school experience to remember

At Abbotts College, a non-traditional approach gives every learner an opportunity to express themselves and follow their passions. For more on how you can apply for your child to join us, please click here.

To read more on our schools, please do so via this link .

For general enquiries, please click here .

Awaiting your Grade 12 results

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 06:20:44 GMT

Approximately 750 000 students are eagerly awaiting the release of their final matric results, which will be made available on Wednesday, 8 January 2020.

Of course “the wait” for these important results could lead to students feeling anxious, which is perfectly normal and sometimes even a healthy emotion.

However, life does not always work out the way we plan and many students might not have achieved the results that they were hoping for. It is, therefore, important that students realise that a poor matric result does not spell the end for their future goals. A positive attitude and outlook will assist students to realign themselves or set new goals for their future.

Tips to assist students while they await their results:

i. What is done, is done!

There is no point stressing or dwelling on the past. Rather channel your energy in a positive way towards a personal and worthy cause.

ii. Keep yourself busy:

Ensure that you get enough sleep and continue to follow a healthy eating plan and get enough physical exercise.

iii. Talk about your worries:

Ensure that you have a support network of people who you trust and who you can talk to. Often by just talking to someone who understands, your anxiety will be reduced.

iv. Write down a three point plan:

Your plan should include: what are your options if your results are better than you expected; what are your options if your results are what you expected; and lastly what are your options if your results are less than you expected. Share your three point plan with your support network.

v. Be positive!

As mentioned before, a healthy attitude will take you far! Remember, in the end a mark on a certificate does not define you.

Should your results not be what you expected, there are several options available to you:

▪ Re-mark / re-checking

The due date for GDE applications for this process is 22 January 2020. More details about the process will be printed at the back of your statement of results, which can be collected from your examination centre on 8 January 2020.

▪ A second chance

Abbotts Colleges can assist you to improve and upgrade your results! Our unique young adult approach will assist you with gaps you might have experienced in the 2019 Final Examination, either as a full time or part time student. Abbotts College is all about Academic improvement, in fact, we guarantee it. Feel free to visit any of our campuses or visit our website to find how we can assist you in realising your potential.

In the words of Billy Cox :“You don’t have to close the book to start a new chapter … just turn the page”.

Wishing you the best of luck, Class of 2019!

What Is An Alternative Learning School?

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:30:52 GMT

Five benefits of an alternative school like ours...

When choosing a school for your child, it’s common to want to go for traditional options. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with doing that, there are a few reasons why you should consider an alternative school like Abbotts College. For starters, times have changed and so have the next generation.

Shouldn’t their learning have evolved too?

Are you curious about the benefits of enrolling your child in an alternative school like ours? Here are a few reasons why we stand out from traditional schools.

1) Our personalised approach to uniforms

A large part of your child’s identity is formed by the way that they dress. During their younger years, they might have allowed you to choose their daily outfits. The older they get, the more they want to decide for themselves. To us, your child’s uniform is not their education. Nor is the way they choose to wear their hair. We’ve found that by giving our students the chance to implement their own dress code, within reason, affords them an opportunity to express themselves and their creativity every single day. This also means less resistance and rebellion when it comes to school uniforms. By treating our students as young adults, we foster responsibility, respect and diversity. These are all qualities vital for success in later life.

2) We don’t do bells

At Abbotts, we don’t believe in bells. This is because education is a privilege and not a regimented way to pass the time each day. We give our students the responsibility to manage their own time and report to class when each period begins. This allows them to hone their time management skills and ensure that they are both punctual and accountable.

3) Homework falls into the school day

Imagine your child being able to ask their teacher important questions whilst doing homework? At Abbotts College, they can. Our supervised homework slots happen daily, allowing every student to complete their tasks during school time. We’ve found that this drives better results, helps students grasp important learning concepts and frees them up to pursue whatever they choose every afternoon. We also offer a mentoring system, in which every child gets assigned a personal mentor to guide them through their journey with us.

4) We don’t force sports

Club sport is the name of the game at Abbotts College and, in allowing this, our students participate as and when they want to. This is in stark contrast to schools that push sports and focus on winning in inter-school leagues. We want our students to spend time doing things that they are passionate about and in line with their strengths. This approach lets each student thrive in their own way and embrace their individuality and we get to dedicate our attention to Academic Improvement .

5) 7 Reports

You might be used to getting a report at the end of each term but at Abbotts College we don’t wait until the end of the term to identify the areas our students are struggling with. Through our system of issuing 7 reports we are able to provide constant feedback and this allows us to identify areas where our students might be struggling with.

Abbotts College is a leading example of alternative education South Africa offers, showing how alternative education South Africa can support students who need a flexible learning environment.

Want to find out more?

To get additional information on us and our five campuses, please click either of these links.

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Our Schools

Should with you want to enrol your child, you can apply here:

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Michelle Pillay | Alumni Story: Just a step at a time

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 12:23:27 GMT

Just a step at a time

The above mentioned sentence has taken me through the long journey that is my degree of studying a MBBS in China.

This decision was not made with ease. It was not made on a whim or in a split second. Choosing to study medicine has always been a passion because at my core, my approach to every encounter has always been: “how can I help you, tell me what it is that I can plausibly do to help you.”

In my senior year, my father had had a medical emergency and in an instant: important decisions needed to be made, and although medical personnel explained in great detail, it felt like we were children, listening to the logic of a parent; unable to fully grasp the magnitude of the diseases and triviality of the complications. I hated that feeling – I equate it to drowning whenever I recall that period.

Abbotts was my lifeline at that time, they were and still are my biggest supporters whenever the lines become blurry and the next step seems uncertain.

Leaving my family after that period was the most difficult decision I had made. Letting go of the responsibilities at home and the thought of becoming independent sounds like a dream to any teenager, for me however, it was terrifying – how could I possibly go off into a country where I don’t speak a single word of the language and survive? Let alone thrive.

With the support of my loved ones, friends and family, I did the unimaginable and I didn’t just start my degree, I took a step into what would become the rest of my life – I had begun my journey into satisfying my need to help others.

Doing this in China though has taught me so much more than my medical degree. In the process of obtaining this double major, I have learned about a new culture and I have learned my 3rd language: Mandarin, which I seem to grasp more firmly than Afrikaans (I’m so sorry to my Afrikaans teachers, I hope you will eventually forgive me for looking lost in almost every class).

I grew into my own person here. I learned what I was willing to tolerate and what I was willing to be lenient on. I found a church that has grown from strength to strength and contributed to this growth by running the Tech and Media team. A student based church is by far the most interesting congregation – faith exists in the presence of science and I will cherish that environment for the rest of my days.

Moreover, I have made friends from all over the world and although it is sad that we may never meet again, I take comfort in knowing that if we ever bump into each other at a later stage in our lives – the memories we’ve shared will be unique to this time, where we understood the daunting nature of life without your family.

I would never trade a day of hardship here for more certainty in a different field. It isn’t easy but every moment is worth it in the grander scheme because no one can take away the experience or knowledge I have gained since moving here in 2014.

I am now in my 5th year of Medical school and this really is where theory meets practice. I have mixed feelings about approaching my graduation exams, but again: just a step at a time and we will get to wherever it is we need to be whenever it is we need to be there.

Right now the plan is to get through the graduation exams and decide where I will continue by writing my board exams and beginning my specialisation into Obstetrics and Gynaecology in line with “Intrauterine Surgery” – yes, medicine has progressed to the point that the foetus no longer needs to be born before surgical procedures can be performed; simply amazing.

Michelle Pillay

Abbotts College South Class of 2013

Studying at Shandong Medical University

Jinan, China

Grade 9 career guidance | Choosing History as a Subject in High School

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 09:20:37 GMT

A great subject to help you flourish in any career opportunity.

History helps one understand the world by examining the struggles, failures and successes of our predecessors. Through this we learn how to examine ourselves and improve the world we live in. Studying History, equips us with all the qualities we require in a modern society: understanding, compassion & tolerance.

The table below highlights the main topics covered in Grades 10, 11 and 12.

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

Studying History prepares one for various different career opportunities. The more obvious ones being: educators, professors, scholars, historical consultants, researchers, writers. History students also make very good journalists, archivists, librarians, lawyers, advocates, judges, archaeologists, philosophers and politicians.

Most people overlook the value of a history major in preparing an intelligent person for a career in business. Historians track historic trends, an important skill for those developing products to market or engaged in corporate or financial planning. They also learn how to write persuasively, and this training gives an edge in advertising, communications, media, and marketing.

Industries depend on an intimate knowledge of government policies and historical trends thus history majors have found their skills useful in extractive industries and in public utilities.

Why You Might Consider Choosing Hospitality in High School

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 07:50:42 GMT

What Is Hospitality Studies?

If you’re a people’s person and thrive in environments that are geared towards customer satisfaction, then choosing hospitality studies in high school is great opportunity to consider various career paths in the entertainment, recreation, food service and hotel management industries.

Hospitality studies at a high school level is a practical subject that incorporates different themes from the hospitality industry such as food production, food and beverage service and hygiene.

This subject choice is not a requirement to study hospitality in university however at a high school level, students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values that will give them a greater opportunity to flourish in hospitality university studies.

What are the benefits of choosing Hospitality?

Benefits of choosing this subject in high school allows students to creatively express themselves through cooking and challenges them to think on their feet, work under pressure and find innovative solutions to problems that may arise.

Learners will be introduced to a new world of career opportunities in the Hospitality industry. The options include becoming a Culinary Chef where they can head their own restaurant or become a food journalist where they travel from restaurant to restaurant to taste new innovative dishes.

Working for a major retail store is also a possibility, testing food and planning the new products to be put on shelves (Food and Beverage buyers and planners).

Types of Careers You Can Follow With This Subject Choice:

Learners can work anywhere in the world, in hotels, game lodges, restaurants and even cruise ships as chefs, waiters and/or managers. Below are other career opportunities in the hospitality industry:

Food and beverage managers
Food service managers
Culinary specialists
Event coordinators
Food product and Menu developers
Food journalists
Food safety and Quality Assurance managers
Food stylists.
Food and Beverage buyers and planners
Food product marketers

Inge-Mari Daneel, Hospitality and Consumer studies teacher at Abbotts College Pretoria East mentions that there are several benefits of studying hospitality in high school that goes beyond flourishing in the industry after school. She say’s students are equipped with life skills that can be used in any situation.

Grade 9 career guidance | Choosing Life Sciences in High School

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 07:19:50 GMT

One of the most interesting subjects in high school

Life Sciences or biological sciences comprise the branches of science that involve the scientific study of life and organisms such as microorganisms , plants , and animals including human beings .

Life Sciences is one of the two major branches of Natural Science , the other being Physical Science , which is concerned with non-living matter.

Some life sciences focus on a specific type of organism. For example, Zoology is the study of animals , while Botany is the study of plants. Other life sciences focus on aspects common to all or many life forms, such as anatomy and genetics . Some focus on the micro scale (e.g. molecular biology , biochemistry ) and other on larger scales (e.g. cytology , immunology , ethology , ecology ). Another major branch of life sciences involves understanding the mind i.e. neuroscience .

Discoveries made in Life Sciences are helpful in improving the quality and standard of life and can be applied to health, agriculture, medicine as well as the pharmaceutical and food science industries.

In the Grade 12 syllabus, Abbotts covers a section on genetics and the study of DNA. Genetics is a branch of biology concerned with the study of genes , genetic variation , and heredity in organisms .

Though heredity had been observed for millennia, Gregor Mendel , a scientist and Augustinian friar working in the 19th century, was the first to study genetics scientifically. Mendel studied "trait inheritance", patterns in the way traits are handed down from parents to offspring. He observed that organisms (pea plants) inherit traits by way of discreet "units of inheritance". This term, still used today, is a somewhat ambiguous definition of what is now referred to as a “gene” and therefore the term “genetics”.

As complicated as what it sounds, genetics is the section that most teachers are passionate about. There is such a sense of gratification when learners ask questions about why they have certain characteristics from their mom or dad and, once you go through the content with them, the light bulb switches on. As a teacher, it’s remarkable to witness says James Messian, Life Sciences Teacher at Abbotts College Centurion.

The study of the Life Sciences gives important insight into disease processes and allows the development of novel therapeutic and innovative medical devices, thereby directly improving human health. Life Sciences also enables an understanding of the environment and the other living species with which we share the earth. This knowledge guides conservation efforts and helps us to save our shared planet.

Life Sciences empowers us to answer fundamental questions about ourselves: Where did we come from? What are we made of? What is the basis for the miracle of our existence? What is our place in the natural world, in the tree of life? Life Sciences reveals the truth of our existence and shines a light on our real identities, so that we discover our true reality.

If you take Biology or Life Sciences as one of your subjects, it can open a lot of opportunities. It is a multi-discipline field that requires you, as a student, to learn, apply, evaluate and to do practical work.

While many people view Life Science as one of the hardest, and the most boring subjects, it is really one of the most interesting.

Important ways to help one master this subject are:

· to listen carefully in class

· immediately review what has been taught

· keep reading.

One thing that learners need to remember is that after mastering the subject, there are plenty of career opportunities available to them.

Those who are interested in the field of Biology can either decide to become social or medical researchers or go the industry route. This is vast, and includes tourism, conservation, agriculture, journalism, veterinary science, environmental law, biotechnology, biochemistry and medicine.

Students who choose this subject must prepare themselves for a lot of work.

There is lots to learn, meaning that the workload may seem overwhelming at times, but they need to know how to apply knowledge as well as how to evaluate and understand it. Here’s a handy summary of the different jobs you will find in the Life Sciences sector:

Biomedical Scientist

Biomedical scientists examine medical samples, for example, blood and tissue, thereby helping doctors to diagnose and treat diseases. They use their knowledge and test results to advise and support doctors and other medical staff. Biomedical scientists need in-depth knowledge of areas such as pathology, anatomy and physiology.

Biotechnologist

Biotechnologists combine Biology, the science of living things, with technology. They research and develop the use of Biology to solve problems in areas such as health care, the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, agriculture, food production and environmental protection

Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemistry of life. They investigate life's processes at the level of molecules, using their knowledge to identify and solve biological problems. They research and develop new products and processes to benefit a wide range of areas, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and agriculture.

Computational Biologist

Computational biology involves the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modelling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavioural, and social systems. The field is broadly defined and includes foundations in computer science, applied mathematics, animation, statistics, biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, ecology, evolution, anatomy, neuroscience, and visualization

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study the biology and chemistry of microbes. They apply their knowledge to solve problems in areas like agriculture, food production, the water industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and to manage and protect the environment.

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical research associates organise and run trials to test the safety of new medicines and to see if they work efficiently. They choose and set up sites where tests take place, supervise trials and monitor the quality of data from the trials.

Industrial Pharmacist

Industrial pharmacists are involved in the discovery and development of safe, effective drugs and medicines. They can work at any stage of the process, including research, development, clinical trials, overseeing production, quality testing, marketing and applying to have the drug legally registered.

Research Assistant

A research assistant is a researcher employed, often on a temporary contract, by a university or a research institute, for the purpose of assisting in academic research. Research assistants are not independent and not directly responsible for the outcome of the research and are responsible to a supervisor or principal investigator. Research assistants are often educated to degree level and might be enrolled in a postgraduate degree program and teach at the same time.

Bioinformatician

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data. As an interdisciplinary field of science, bioinformatics combines computer science, statistics, mathematics, and engineering to study and process biological data.

Grade 9 career guidance | Choosing Visual Arts in High School

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:06:28 GMT

Are you a creative individual?

Visual Arts at high school level offers a multi-disciplinary programme that trains the hand and the eye, while engaging the intellect and the imagination in conceptualising and creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks. This subject is about self-expression and helps students to engage meaningfully with, and respond to, their world in a non-verbal way. Students come into the art lessons often with a sense of relief, where they can be themselves, talk about all sorts of things and feel safe to do so.

Arlene Brown, Visual Arts Teacher at Abbotts College Claremont mentions that as teachers, we cherish the opportunity to engage with young minds and help them shape their individual visual language and style. The innovative use of materials and technology is encouraged and exposure to new platforms in the arts is part of our general teaching. Ongoing and direct research into the field of Visual Arts is one of the joys of teaching this subject, as the parameters are boundless.

Visual literacy and the study of past historical movements and artists up until the present, inform and shape students’ understanding of visual culture. We live in a visual world, and are bombarded by imagery, from Instagram to YouTube videos, Netflix and the like. Choosing Visual Arts is as much about making sense of this world, as it is about following a career path in Visual Arts.

The list of careers supported by the Visual Arts is vast, such as architecture, film, fashion, curating, historical research, interior design, photography, event design and more. Understanding art is valued in other professional fields as well, such as medicine and engineering. Artists think creatively, have developed a set of problem-solving skills, and have a compassionate, empathetic approach to life.

Choose Engineering, Graphics & Design As A Subject | Grade 9 Guidance

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:52:01 GMT

What is EGD & Who Should Chose It As A Subject Choice?

Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) offered at Abbotts College JHB South, teaches students internationally acknowledged principles that have both an academic and technical focus on knowledge and skills that centre on mechanical, civil and electrical technology.

This creates a skill-set that includes critical thinking, time management , synthesis of information, creation and visual adaptation of ideas.

Although it is not a requirement by Universities to have EGD at a school level to complete an Engineering or Architectural degree, it is essential to have drawing experience at school level to excel at university.

Colin Northmore, Principal at Abbotts College JHBSouth states that EDG will provide students with skills that will embrace challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Choosing Engineering Graphics and Design as a subject for Grade 10 provides fundamental knowledge and drawing skills required for several career opportunities, namely architecture, engineering, medical technician, industrial designer, interior designer, city planner, graphic illustrator and artisan.

Types of Career Opportunities:

As advised by Dr. Yolandi Burger, the Programme Manager for Graphic Design at Vega School provides, brief job descriptions of possible career opportunities:

Interior Designer

This career opportunity is ideal for a creative problem solver, perceptive and visual individual. As an interior designer, you will analyse problems, applying creative conceptual design processes to affect practical, considered and innovative solutions. If you choose this career you will manage an interior design project from inception to completion, and present these solutions using relevant technology. If you want to pursue this as your career, you will need a formal qualification in Interior Design. There are many academic routes you can follow as outlined in the image below, but not all higher education institutions offer each of these qualifications.

YourNational Senior Certificate dictates where you can gain entry to in order to become an interior designer in conjunction with the minimum admission requirements of the institution you chose to study at. You have a variety of public and private higher education institutions to choose from if being an interior designer is your passion. So, explore what the relationship between theory and practical modules/subjects included in the curriculum of the institutions you are interested in and discover the unique attributes of each institution’s interior design programme.

You need to study an interior design qualification to make this your future career. As an interior designer, you can become a corporate (space planner), retail, residential, hospitality and exhibition designer. You can register with the African Institute ofthe Interior Design Professions (IID) within the three following specialisations:

Professional Interior Designer: Three-year diploma or degree with a minimum of three years of practical experience.

Professional Senior Interior Designer : Four-year degree or Bachelor of Arts (NQF 8) with a minimum of three years of practical experience.

Professional Interior Architect : Five-year degree or professional Masters (NQF 9) which is affiliated with a Faculty ofArchitecture with a minimum of one-year practical experience.

Graphic Illustrator or Graphic Designer

This career opportunity is ideal for you if you are creative, a problem solver, visual narrator, innovative and enjoy telling stories through both traditional and visual imagery. As a graphic designer, you will strategically plan and design innovative concepts for integrated visual communication solutions. If you opt for this career you will fuse complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and branding to create user-centred designs. If you want to make this your career, you will need a formal qualification in Graphic Design.

There are many academic routes you can follow as outlined in the image below, but not all higher education institutions offer each of these qualifications. Your National Senior Certificate dictates where you can gain entry to becoming a graphic designer in conjunction with the minimum admission requirements of the institution you chose to study at. You have a variety of public and private higher education institutions to choose from if you want to become a well-rounded graphic designer. So, explore what modules/subjects are included in the curriculum of the institutions you are interested in and discover the unique attributes of each institution’s graphic design programme. Qualifications that you can consider pursuing to become a graphic designer includes graphic design, visual communication and information design.

Nonconforming to social Norms

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 07:44:20 GMT

Human beings are conformists by nature. We tend to do things the way most people do to fit in and be accepted by society. Conformity is in our genes and even when we do not fully agree with some of society’s norms, we generally toe the line as it is the safer thing to do. We seek approval, avoid rejection, and are guided by social norms.

However, conformists too sometimes deviate from the straight and narrow in order to escape societal pressures. This practice nowadays is considered normal. Nonconforming to social norms is a continuous deviation from the way things are normally done. It is, for instance, where you dye your hair pink and wear it this way not just because its cancer awareness week or, a man who will only wear takkies even if he is dressing up in a suit.

Conformists ironically, very often appreciate non-conformity albeit primarily for amusement or entertainment purposes and not necessarily, because it is something they would do themselves. The most common example of this is our appreciation for artists in the music industry. 50 Cent, Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are very unconventional artists, all very successful with millions of passionate fans. Yet not too many of their millions of followers will necessarily conduct themselves the way they do. It is easier and safer just to watch and admire from a distance. This too, I suppose, offers some kind of escape from the humdrum of a conventional lifestyle.

Nonconformity must never be confused with breaking the law or disobeying the rules and regulations of an institution or a public space. Being late for work or school is not nonconformity; it is plainly inconsiderate and ill-mannered. Smoking in a non-smoking area is simply selfish and unacceptable. Swearing at the top of your voice in a public park or the schoolyard is improper and inappropriate. Talking at assembly or at the movies is impolite. Always have a sense of occasion and behave fittingly.

There is always a time and place for you to act and behave in a manner that you please without contravening the law. For example, if you don’t subscribe to school uniforms then find a school that will accommodate that wish. Abbotts College offers that option. As a student, you are able to display your individuality like nowhere else. Individuality is always appreciated, admired and respected. It is taken as a breath of fresh air that teachers look forward to and embrace in the classroom. Again, however, while individuality is aligned with being a non-conformist, it is never confused with what is right and what is wrong.

Stay motivated during exams

Thu, 30 May 2019 07:58:55 GMT

6 tips to get it right

It's final examinations and it is natural for students to maybe start feeling tired, drained and demotivated. Some might even be dreaming of the holidays already. Yet, the exams are almost finished, but not yet. The difficult part is staying motivated. Psychologists talk about extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation. In short, intrinsic motivation involves motivating oneself and this is by far the most powerful form of motivation. But how?

These ideas might help:

· Remember your goals

The most important point to focus on, is the same reason you decided to go to school in the first place:

What is my ultimate goal?

What do I want to achieve on my matric certificate?

What do I want to do with the rest of my life?

Students who are clear on this, find it easier to motivate themselves. How about a photo or picture of that dream of yours that you stick to your mirror, or keep on your desk where you study? When you see that dream regularly, it remains much more real in your mind, which will motivate you to keep working towards that dream.

· Change your perception of school exams

An important principle to remember, is that exams are not the enemy. An exam is your friend. It might not feel that way, but an exam is a wonderful opportunity to show the teacher and the world at large, what you can do. The great thing is, no-one is going to interrupt you, as people often do during conversations or even in class. You have that full exam session to “say what it is you want to say”. And the best part is, the teacher must “listen”, the teacher has no choice but to mark your paper. When you see an exam as an opportunity rather than a threat, preparing for the exam becomes so much easier and more meaningful.

· Reward yourself

On a very practical level, you can reward yourself for studying hard. For example, allow yourself to take a break after successfully completing a certain section of work, or allowing yourself to go and make a tasty sandwich or burger after having actively studied for an hour. You know yourself: you know what you can achieve in an hour, and you know what it is you would like as a reward. Reward yourself well but be strict with yourself first.

· Don’t neglect everything else

Remember to get some exercise. The idea is not to exhaust yourself so that you cannot study further afterwards but getting exercise can get the blood flowing and the brain working again. Your exercise times can also be used as a reward: say to yourself that you must first finish this chapter before you may go to the gym.

Make time for other activities you enjoy. Always create a balance around exam time.

· Give yourself enough time to revise the day before an exam

It’s advisable not to study new content the day before an exam. Cramming creates stress and anxiety which may lead to forgetting what you’ve studied. Rather create understanding in the content and use memory tricks to recall your notes, like acronyms, songs, attaching content to real life experiences or creating a story.

Always try to recall your notes without having them in front of you.

Giving yourself enough time before an exam will out nerves at ease and boost your confidence about acing the exam.

· Organise your study space

A clean and conducive study space will motivate you to study longer and harder. Make sure you have the recommended materials to study before starting.

Finally, live the “Nike” lifestyle: just do it. The fancy term is “do not procrastinate”. The exam is not going to go away just because you are ignoring it. It is just going to become a bigger mountain to climb. So just start. Chances are, once you get going, you will realise that it is not so bad.

How To Deal With Difference Personalities In The Classroom

Thu, 23 May 2019 06:49:31 GMT

2 Minute read

Make Your Classroom a Happier Space

One of the first lessons every teacher learns is that, in every classroom there is a kaleidoscope of different personalities present. At any one moment, the teacher is navigating a minefield of different characters, each of which requires specific attention and handling. No two students are the same, and a good teacher is skilled enough to bounce from one student to the next, to tailor their delivery and approach to suit individual character types while remaining uniform and neutral across the board. It is not easy to accomplish and requires a lot of patience.

While the individual personalities can fall anywhere on a broad scale, there are a few traits that are bound to be in every classroom. You will not fail to pick out the naturally gifted child in a classroom, or the popular kid, the shy one, the bully, the attention seeker. In this regard, teaching becomes a lot like diplomacy; it calls for a skilled and patient juggling of complex personalities that must somehow coexist together in one setting.

For most teachers, dealing with most students is easy enough. There is often no need to even single out specific personalities as you teach, however there area few personalities that are especially challenging to handle. These test the teacher, push them to the limit.
The question now is, how do you deal with the bully who says mean things about other children and even to you? How can you reach that little girl who never wants to be called upon to answer a question?

Here are a few tips on how to survive and indeed master the complex characters in your classroom:

Put yourself in their shoes

It is a universally accepted truth that interpersonal relationships are important, especially between a teacher and their student. Once a good relationship is established, barriers are broken down. Not only can the personal touch help in teaching, but it allows for the relationship to go beyond the classroom.

Getting to know your students will help reveal their character to you.Subsequently, you will be able to determine what works for them. Knowing you have a genius on your hands for example, you will know to tweak the material so that they, too, feel challenged and not bored. This is why Abbotts college relies so much on the mentoring system. This enables teachers to give their own personal touch in getting to know students as individuals and to know what their future aspirations are and how we can help with them achieving their goals.

If a student is acting out, the immediate reaction is anger and resentment. They are interrupting your class after all and making your life more difficult.But try and think about what it must be like for them. Put yourself in their shoes. Maybe they have problems at home and are lashing out at school. Maybe the reason Mary is not participating is because she is being bullied. Take the time to understand your students. It will help you deal better with their behavior.

Master your poker face

When dealing with a difficult student, try and keep a cool head.Put away the extreme emotions you are undoubtedly experiencing like frustration and anger. This will help you see the situation clearly, helping you handle it effectively. Students are very smart; they will pick up subtle indicators of your response to their actions. Often, they are testing you and pushing your buttons. They will do so until they determine your breaking point. You must therefore remain composed throughout. Speak in a soft voice that reflects your demeanour but communicate clearly and firmly. Focus on dealing with the issue at hand, and when it’s done, move on. Do not linger over it or hold a grudge. This way, your students learn a thing or two about handling conflict which will bean attitude they themselves will apply in future.

Be firm, but fair

Always remember that you are their teacher and guardian first, never their friend. It is a fine line to walk, having them respect you but letting them know they can approach you if they need anything. In case of doubt, it is better to stumble on the side of certainty. Your students understand that there are rules, which you must enforce. Do not let anyone get away with rule breaking, no matter how insignificant it seems. If you let just one slip, you lose control over the classroom, and you become infinitely less effective. This will not endear you to them, but they will respect you, and they will do what is right.

This does not mean, however, that you adopt a hard, unyielding stance. To err is human. Let your students know that it is okay to make a mistake, because it is a learning opportunity. This way, the punishment won’t feel like a personal slight. You should expect manipulation and bargaining and know how to deal with it. In return, reward good behavior. Be fair in your application of the rules. If you must, enlist the help of another teacher or even their parent. At the end of the day, the objective is to teach them to be responsible adults.

It is important to remember that with students, no shoe fits all, so approach each student as a unique individual. Listen to them, empathize with them, and you can discipline them.

My child is the Bully!

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:33:42 GMT

What to do if your child is the bully

3 Minute read

Bullying at school is common and the source of much misery and discomfort for many students and their parents in turn. The effects can be long lasting for the victim’s health and wellbeing, sometimes even having fatal consequences. Teachers are trained to help combat this anti-social behaviour and parents as well as students have access to many outside support structures that give guidance on how to overcome the effects of bullying.

Parents, often, only see their child as a possible victim and therefore, guide their child on how to avoid being bullied. It is rare for parents to consider that their child might be the bully. This is understandable; after all, acknowledging that your child is a bully, is possibly an indictment on you as a parent.

Sadly, we are well aware that bullying at schools is rife; someone is doing it. Frighteningly, it could very well be your child. One should recognise and acknowledge this possibility and remedy such behaviour patterns immediately. Your child could see denying the occurrence or ignoring the problem as acceptance of this anti-social behaviour. The long-term consequences of being a bully are scary. Bullies are prone to mental illness later in life. They continue to be aggressive and even violent. According to stopbullying.gov bullying is a risk factor for depression and thinking about suicide. Children who bully others, are bullied, or both bully and are bullied are more likely to think about or attempt suicide than those who are not involved in bullying at all.

Therefore, if you notice some of the following signs, it is time to step in and get help for your child as mentioned by Sheeri Gordon on Tips for addressing bullying by your child(2019) :

· Your child is often in the company of other bullies

· Your child is constantly criticising and insulting other children to the extent that they feel belittled and offended

· Your child is regularly violating the school’s code of conduct and in trouble at school

· Your child actively invites kids over but turns down a couple that used to be included

· Your child is obsessed with being popular

· Your child is aggressive physically and/or verbally

· Your child is uncompassionate and has no concern for those that suffer

· Your child avoids you and spends too much time alone at home

Address the bullying without delay; don’t hope that it will stop. Your child must know that you explicitly disapprove of the behaviour and that they will be disciplined. It must be clearly understood that bullying is inexcusable. However, the appropriate disciplinary measures can only be taken if you know why your child is bullying someone else. Identify the reasons, for example, your child may be bullying others because they want to be part of a popular group. You should address the importance of keeping the right company and not succumbing to peer pressure. Remember to let the punishment fit the crime. A knee jerk reaction is likely to make matters worse.

Taking away privileges is a tried and tested form of discipline for teens and is very effective. For example, you can take away electronics, watching TV and the privilege of attending parties or special events. The list is endless. Ensure that that you don’t give in at any point and stick to the length of time that the privilege will be revoked.

Collaborate with the school and show full support for the school’s code of conduct . Don’t attempt to rescue them from the consequences of their actions. Once this is done, your child will expect that you will always do so and will not take responsibility for their actions.

Determine the details of your child’s bullying behaviour. Are there skills your child is lacking that may prevent future bullying incidents like anger management and impulse control? Seek professional assistance if required. Don’t dispel the value of a session or two with a psychologist if need be.

Avoid humiliating or shaming your child, especially not in front of anyone else. Letting family members and friends know about what is going on, will not help. In fact, it could prove only to worsen the behaviour. Keep it private and the solution will be more easily achieved. Remember, praise may be public; but punishment, always private.

Talk about the consequences of bullying; be sure your child takes the time to really think about how he would feel if he was on the receiving end. When children learn to see things from a different viewpoint, they are less likely to bully again. Raising your child's emotional intelligence and instilling empathy will go a long way in preventing bullying. So consider carefully, your own actions and utterances as a parent; children most often, unwittingly emulate their parents.

When bullying is identified early and addressed appropriately, it usually won’t happen again. However, don’t automatically assume that this is the case. Instead, monitor your child’s conduct and continue to discipline him if necessary. If given the right skill set, most children who bully others can change. Stopping your child from bullying others can take some time, it’s not an overnight solution.

Avoid the Procrastination

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 11:15:43 GMT

Dealing with teenage behaviour

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 09:21:47 GMT

5 tips on how to assist with handling teenage behaviour

1. Create understanding rather than fear. Control yourself not the child

Creating fear in a child, to stop them from repeating what they did may not completely stop them. They will still want to do it again. If you explain to them why “what they did” was wrong or inappropriate, there’s a higher chance of them not wanting to do it again. During this engagement understanding on both sides should be encouraged. The parent also needs to understand why their child did what they did by allowing their child to explain their point of view.

2. Allow Autonomy

Children strive for independence throughout their childhood. Give them the power and responsibility to make their own decisions and make good choices

3. Don’t compare

Comparing children to others will encourage them to behave more defensively, resent their actions or themselves and lose self-confidence. Allow them to own their actions and don’t associate their behaviours with other children.

4. Don’t shame your child

Discussing your children’s behaviour to others in front of them is not an effective way to express your concern, rather have this discussion in private. Children don’t need to be reprimanded multiple times about the same incident by other individuals.

5. Focus on their good qualities

Nobody likes to be told that they’re wrong however constructive criticism can lead to self-reflection and behaviour change. Give more attention to your child’s good qualities rather than focusing on their faults.

Positive Discipline

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:08:00 GMT

Focus on rewarding and encouraging positive behaviour, rather than focusing on punishing negative behaviour.

When talking about discipline in schools, modern trends use buzz-words such as “Positive discipline” ; “Values-based education” and “Character guides rather than codes of conduct” . The aim of these “different” or “new” approaches is to focus on rewarding and encouraging positive behaviour, rather than focusing on punishing negative behaviour. Children learn to cultivate habits, approaches and values, that are not only relevant to the classroom or school grounds, but to society, the adult world, and life. It might be too early to say in some instances, but it appears, through the experiences of teachers, that this “new” approach is working.

Some of the founding values on which the Abbotts model was built in 1971 included respect, individuality and responsibility. Although the modern Abbotts Colleges support even more values, these three have formed the basis of academic and behavioural success for all Abbotts College students throughout almost five decades now.

Visit Abbotts and you will immediately see these values being alive on campus through a simple, yet fundamental aspect:

Abbotts students do not wear school uniform. Abbotts students do not disappear in a faceless mass of uniformity, a by-product of the Industrial revolution and wars of many centuries, where it is easy to resort to “mob behaviour” in a typical Lord of the Flies scenario.

Abbotts College students are individuals, no two are the same, and they are treated with respect for who they are and what they are trying to achieve. In the same vein, they treat teachers with respect as individuals, understanding that these individuals are there to help them.

Abbotts College students understand why they come to school, not to please mom and dad, or because they have to, but because they realise that they have their futures in their own hands.

20 tips on encouraging Good Behaviour

Is Homework Still Relevant?

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:48:59 GMT

A student’s high school career is far more than mastering subjects. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the development and transformation of adolescents into independent young adults, prepared to deal with the 21st century challenges. The adult world demands self-study, discipline and independent thought. Entrenched behavioural patterns are difficult to change; hence, instilling a good work routine whilst at school is essential for future success.

• It teaches a student to work independently. Engaging with the content on their own allows them to find solutions and formulate opinions without the prompts or cues from teachers, peers or parents.

• It teaches a student to take responsibility for his or her work. The student must be an active participant: it is conducive to confidence building and encourages self-reliance.

• It allows a student to review and practise what has been covered during the lesson. Extensive research has been done on the memory retention of information over a period of time. Regular reviewing allows a broader knowledge base when applying the minds to new content. Any potential misunderstandings or lack of comprehension can be addressed far sooner.

• It helps a student to get ready for the next day’s lesson. Being prepared for the lessons allows the student to feel more in control and this in turn boosts their confidence and aids the development of a positive self-image.

• It encourages a student to explore the subject content far more thoroughly than class time permits. This is vital for giving depth to the work they are grappling with and leads to discoveries, making connections and problem solving.

• It allows a student to extend learning by applying skills to new situations. Doing their homework properly establishes a strong foundation. Successful attempts to solving higher order questions are only possible once the content has clearly crystallised in their mind.

• It is part of the revision and consolidation process in adequately preparing for tests and examinations. Practice makes perfect! Clichés are clichés because they hold a lot of truth.

5 Ways to balance your life

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 13:20:00 GMT

Is it important to balance schoolwork with a social life?

School-life balance is critically important for optimal academic functioning. Life remains a series of events which constitute it. The importance of one sphere should never be permitted to adversely impact the other. The successful and evolving interrelationship between the different spheres and facets of life require a balanced focus that is able to structure and prioritize. Often one sphere may demand more attention and enjoy priority over others. However, students often prioritize academics at the expense of personal factors, including relationships and exercise. We’ve all heard the adage, ‘a healthy body, a healthy mind’. Neglecting the very important social and personal realm can lead to a decline in academic performance, as general health and well-being are critical to optimal academic functioning.

Let us consider the following question: Is it important to have a social life during your school years?

It IS important because you develop social skills and people skills. It aids you in the process of developing interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. One cannot stress enough how important it is to have social skills. You could be the smartest person in the world, but a significantly less smart person with better social skills would still have an advantage over you, during a job interview, for example. The more you are around people, the more you practice these skills. It is therefore of critical importance.

Also quite significant, having a well-balanced social life inevitably makes you encounter some rather unpleasant situations. For example, you could be embroiled in a fight with a friend or be confronting issues of betrayal and lack of trust. As social beings, it is necessary to engage the rigors and challenges of life to enhance learning and to experience a sense of belonging. Learning from experience is the most beneficial in the life of any school goer. The more you encounter said situations now, the less it will bother you in the future. The benefits of a conscious and constructive engagement of both an academic and social life lie in the life skills that it can teach. It can provide you with an increased repertoire of emotional tools with which to tackle the fluctuating fortunes of life. Academic success can certainly provide you with a standard and quality of life that will provide you with material pleasures and comforts. Yet, without the emotional stability that your success requires, you will not be able to fully reap the benefits of academic success.

Moreover, what we see in our towns and cities today are collections of people unknown to one another. Only when an accident happens or when a disaster occurs, people behave as a social group. Also important is that we are living in a virtual world. We are always living in stress and hardly with total freedom. In the past, activities were physical and needed group participation so social behaviour was dynamic and ever-present.

Nowadays, living in a virtual world, we use our brains most of the time. No companion is present to share the various feelings we may court at any given point in time. Even indoor games and TV series force us to feel all emotions whilst sitting idle. All chemicals generated inside our bodies are not assimilated in proper ways because of our sedentary and less active lifestyles. This creates imbalances in the brain which can adversely hamper one’s academic goals in life. What a contradiction it would be if the very success we felt our academic achievements would guarantee were to be nullified by our aversion and indifference to our social and emotional well-being!

Here Are 5 Ways to Maintain Balance Between Work, School and Life:

1. Keep an Updated Schedule. This is a great way to make use of the calendar app on your phone.
2. Work Ahead (or just Don't Procrastinate). By procrastinating, you are allowing your to-do list to grow and grow into an intimidating amount of work.
3. Get a Good Night's Sleep. (Feeling revitalized is the best way to tackle the challenges that the new day brings)
4. Prioritize Your Work. (Falling behind will create stress and anxiety)
5. Prioritize Time for Yourself! (You will not function properly if you don’t work on your inner need for belonging and acknowledgement)

Ps. Go see a sunset before knuckling down with exams!

Motivating your teenager in preparation for examinations

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 10:05:54 GMT

Get you teen amped for exams

Parents are often just as stressed, as their teenagers are when it comes to preparing for and writing examinations. Books and articles on the subject are limitless and easily accessible – try Googling it. The problem is, that there is just so much to read, that by the time you are done, your child would have finished schooling.

The advice given in these articles is very much the same. They all speak about planning, goal setting, study methods, working environment, nutrition, rest and communication. You are bound to pick up handy hints from any article you read. You will soon realise that the advice in most articles is relatively obvious and is probably something that you would have figured out for yourself anyway.

I believe that it would be more helpful for parents to understand how their teenage children think and what they want during this challenging phase of growing up. If this is better understood, then motivating teenagers to study becomes a far easier task. Like all subjects in the technologically advanced world we live in, literature on understanding teenage behaviour is also exhaustive. I can however, refer you to a short and very informative article on the subject by Dr Debmita Dutta (30 December 2018)
Dr Dutta reminds us that the three things teenagers want most are freedom, independence and respect. She goes on to explain that most teenagers are not motivated to study because they see studying as an unending drudgery; they believe that even if they study they will not have freedom or independence and still risk the chance of being reprimanded and not respected.

Dr Dutta further proposes that parents:

1. Motivate their children to learn rather than perform
2. Don’t bribe or punish their children to learn
3. Be patient sensitive and understanding
4. Allow and encourage lots of physical activity
5. Explain the “why” behind what teenagers are studying
6. Don’t compare their child to others
7. Encourage the company of adults other than the parents
8. Give their teenagers mental challenges
9. Do not try to control
10. Allow friendships
11. Do not criticise
12. Do not be grumpy and complaining
13. Show their passion not their worry
14. Do not pressurise their teenagers with praise
15. Stop panicking and looking disappointed.

All of the above recommendations are substantiated in the article, which is a must-read.

Parents are advised to always be around, if possible, when their children are studying. Leaving them alone is strongly discouraged as this could be interpreted as neglect and indifference. Just be around for moral support without creating the sense that you are policing them. Besides, by just being around, the temptation for your teenager to do something else during study time will be discouraged.
You may feel that it is premature to offer this kind of advice now, considering that it is so long before the June examination. Parents and students have become accustomed to receiving guidance on examination preparation three or four weeks before the examination. This is probably why students do not do as well as they are capable of. Examination preparation should not start a few weeks before the examination. It should start at the beginning of the year in the classroom from day one.

Students must listen to their teachers with intent all day, every day. Encourage your children to pay attention in class ensuring that nothing distracts them. More than half the battle is won in the classroom. Absence must be discouraged at all cost, unless it is unavoidable. Students believe that they will make up for lessons missed on their own – this is not the same as receiving instruction from the teacher. This is the first step to successfully preparing for the examinations. Stress and anxiety can be avoided if preparation is constant and not crammed just before an examination.
Inculcate these good habits in your teenager and you will pave the way for their success.

How to improve your academics

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:56:14 GMT

Believe in yourself.

Assess your current academic performance and set appropriate academic goals.
Make a commitment to your goals by creating a dream board and displaying it on your mirror.

Get organised.

Set up a study schedule/timetable and keep to it.
You should study in a well-equipped area (proper desk and chair) with sufficient light and ventilation.
Avoid distractions, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, computer games, game consoles and TV.
Ensure that your workbooks for each subject is as neat (as possible), organised, dated and up to date. Do not fall behind. File all extra notes, papers and memo’s immediately by pasting them into your workbook.

Drafting a schedule/timetable. It is important to allocate time for:

Homework time
Study breaks - Rule of thumb is a break of 10 – 15 minutes after each 45-minute study session. However, everyone has a different attention span. Do not use this as an excuse to procrastinate.
Preparation for June and November exams. Yes, you must start now! Do not “cram” – you will probably soon forget the content. Your goal . should be to study for long term memory effect throughout the year.
Allocate time for relaxation, family and friends.

Preparation for ANY subject includes:

Completing your homework, yourself. If possible, try to mark it before you go to class. This way you already know what to ask the teacher.
Do complete corrections during class discussions. Albert Einstein (is broadly credited to have) exclaimed: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results”. Learn from your mistakes.
If you are still confused, make sure to visit the teacher during compulsory homework. Then try it on your own, until you are proficient.
Studying is not a spectator sport. To become the best, you need to partake and practice. How to get better at Math
If you struggle with a specific calculation, try to break it down into simpler more manageable concepts.
Memorize the theory, such as formulas, theorems, properties, definitions, proves, rules, sketches etc. You should know all of these by heart. If you struggle to remember these, try to connect the new unfamiliar concept to something that is already familiar to you, for example a rhyme, a parody or sketch.
When revising/preparing for exams and tests, return to worked examples and activities in your workbook. Practise these before you move on to past papers.
Practice past papers. Not one or two, but as many as you can lay your hands on!! Use a search engine, such as Google to download past papers. If you can only find a few past papers, practice these until you are completely proficient in the calculations and time management.
Humans are complex. Memory includes visual, auditory and tactile memory. When studying you should SAY it, WRITE it and SKETCH it.
Practice to complete a task against a time limit to ensure that you will be able to finish in time during exams and tests.

Revise, revise, revise…

DO NOT rewrite the textbook.
Use effective tools such as mind maps, flow diagrams or mnemonic devices (memory games). You need to find a tool or tools that work for you.
Revise the previous day’s work before you go to class the next day.
You should PRACTICE and REVISE subject content on a CONTINUOUS and DAILY basis!

How to prepare for practical subjects such as CAT, IT, Drama, Visual Arts and Design?

PRACTICING new skills daily. You will not become proficient if you do not practice.
REVISE your theory by breaking it up into smaller, manageable sections and spreading it over time.
Pay attention to the glossary in the back of the textbook and summaries at the end of each chapter.
Pay attention to new trends and technology features in the daily news.
Practice to complete a task against a time limit to ensure that you will be able to finish in time during exams.
Keep to deadlines for Practical Assessment Tasks. Do not procrastinate. These need time to develop, grow on you and take shape.

The teacher cannot help you, if you are not at school!

To do your best, you must get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals and drink water . DO NOT drink caffeine laden energy drinks. It is bad for your health and your brain!

Do not work into the early hours of the morning, you will not be able to concentrate in class or perform well in tests – sleep enough.

Reward yourself between study breaks with activities you love.

Get your priorities in order – what is your dream for your future? (If you do not have a dream it is high time you get one!)

Implement the plan - do not procrastinate. Eat little bits of the elephant (a big task) by prioritising, setting goals and rewarding yourself for completing steps.

Why should we learn English?

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 11:59:25 GMT

There are many, many reasons why learning a new language is a good idea. It allows you to communicate with new people. It helps you to see things from a different perspective, or get a deeper understanding of another culture. It helps you to become a better listener. It even has health benefits, as studies have shown that people who speak two or more languages have more active minds later in life.

Those are all reasons to learn any language – but did you know that there are 6,500 languages still spoken in the world today? With such an enormous number to choose from, why choose English?

Well, English has been described as “the language of opportunity”. Being able to speak English allows you to communicate effectively in numerous countries. It can also potentially open doors to loads of possibilities for you in terms of the countries you could choose to seek work in one day – not to mention travel to as a tourist.

English is a global language and according to British Study Centers, “English is the official language of 53 countries in the world and spoken as a first language by around 400 million people”.

Evidently, it is a necessary form of communication, both verbal and written. It’s the language of business, tourism, science and art.

There is also a dire need to learn the language in many parts of the world. In emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam, or low-income countries striving to climb the ladder of economic development, it is a current urgent priority of governments and non-government organisations to ensure that the surging population of global youth has economic opportunities and upward mobility. The idea of learning English has widely been accepted as best practice and programmes are in place to facilitate this, such as the ‘Right to Reading’ initiative in India and many projects alike across the world.

Therefore, it is not just about passing matric with above 40% (in South Africa). If you don’t have a basic understanding of the language, you may lose out on credibility with peers, potential employers and those grading your papers at a tertiary institution.

Everyone has their own unique reasons for wanting to learn the English language. But while the reasons may be different, they can all be put into action in the same way: by committing to stop making excuses, and to start. Once you’ve held your very first conversation in the English or any other additional language, trust me: you’ll never look back.