I was recently asked to be a participant in a panel discussion on the topic of masculinity and extremist ideas amongst young people. Each panel participant was called on to share their views on unhealthy gender roles, misogyny and harmful social media content and how these issues are occurring in schools. Preparing for the discussion,…
Read MoreThoughts On Adolescence
Despite not having watched adolescence, I can hardly move right nor left without hearing talk of it. From posts on social media platforms to the latest “have you seen (insert title here)?” chats between friends and colleagues, I have understood that the show has raised significant topics in youth culture and the experiences of young…
Read MoreResurrecting School Values
Values are not something static and immovable. They are living, breathing entities, and as such, are susceptible to death and decay. Because of this, it is paramount that they are revitalised. Since the start of the year, we have been focusing on developing our school values, primarily that of respect. We felt that respect underpinned…
Read MoreTowards an Effective Anti-bullying Culture
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the school where I work could become a safer place through the reduction of instances of bullying. It goes without saying that bullying is a blight on school communities. Its effects can be far reaching and long-lasting. It happens in every school. From elite private institutions to…
Read MoreHow to Discuss Challenging Issues in the Classroom
Having recently written a new curriculum for pastoral care, I’ve considered how we can raise difficult conversations in the classroom. These conversations could be related to race, social justice, ethnicity or class, and many more. As an educator, I think curricula should challenge students to think beyond their immediate circumstances and positions. This is particularly…
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