Last week, Meriden hosted the first of a new pilot program run by Dr Judith Locke and Dr Danielle Einstein. In the program, parents, students and staff received training around how to manage worry and fear.

During the week, students in Years 5-8 participated in seminars teaching them about the importance of facing their fears and provided with strategies to help them to navigate problems as they arise.

A few key points from the seminars:

• Often, more time spent thinking about and talking about a fear and worry makes it a bigger deal.
• Confidence comes from facing all kinds of different experiences and challenges.
• Avoiding fears and worries doesn’t ever help.
• Find other terms to use other than “anxiety” for day-to-day worries or concerns – e.g. nerves, excitement and anticipation.
• Remind yourself of the benefit of facing the challenge – what is the goal?
• Be careful about technology and constant connection and communication, as this can amplify fears and worries – constant connection leads to reactivity.

Thank you to the parents who attended the Parent Forum. We hope you found the evening helpful.

We believe Meriden girls can do hard things and we want to encourage them to keep stepping outside their comfort zone to try new things, meet new people and navigate problems as they arise.

The Student Planner

One of the main ways Meriden staff communicate with parents is through the student planner. The planner is used by teachers to write notes about homework and where students keep a record of their day-to-day tasks and deadlines.

The student planner is checked and signed weekly by pastoral tutors, and is used as a prompt to check in on student progress and behaviour.

It is important that parents view and sign the planner each week so they can get a sense of what is coming up and are aware of any ongoing feedback that is being given to their daughter by classroom teachers and pastoral staff.