YEAR 12 SURVIVAL GUIDE

Have a child starting their final year of school? Here’s how to keep those stress levels down – for both of you!

The final year of secondary school can be an extremely stressful 12 months – not just for the child, but for parents, too.

Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg (inset) and senior manager, family services specialist and mum Elly Robinson share their advice on how to make this time as smooth sailing as possible for all involved...

Be charismatic All Year 12 students need to know that someone has their back, and that they are safe, valued and heard. We refer to this person as a charismatic adult.

Evidence suggests that knowing this comforting, supportive person is in the background represents a major psychological insurance policy that, in turn, greatly increases the likelihood that your teen will seek help when needed.

Part of being an adolescent in Year 12 is to start breaking the childhood bonds with parents. But having had many thousands of conversations with Year 12 students – despite the fact that they are all at different stages of this developmental phase – it is clear that, deep down, many actually do want parents to help them through this year.