Knowing your

students.
 There are many
aspects of an
adolescents
development that
will play a role in
their experience,
behaviour and
performance at
school.
Some information may be
provided to us in a student file
such as:
- age
- gender
- contact details and
- academic history.
Some aspects are obvious...
such as physical features and
development.
Other details are learnt during
a course of time spent with
the student...
... family structure and
socio-economic circumstances...
... cultural background...
... emotional and social
development...
 ... personal interests and
cognitive development.
But there are many things that
we may never know about our
students which may adversely
affect their time at school.
All students photographed with permission and are examples only.
13 per cent of
Australian children live
with at least one
parent who is regularly
drunk. 1

In 2002 the NSW Department of

Community Services reported that
up to 80% of investigated child
abuse reports were associated with
parental substance abuse. 2
It is common for
teens to believe
their behaviour is
the reason their
parents are
divorcing.
Research has found teens
from divorced families:
are more anxious and
aggressive
have higher school drop
out rates
have higher rates of
delinquency
have higher rates of drug
and alcohol addiction. 3
Almost 17 000 cases
of physical and
sexual abuse against
children are reported
and confirmed in
Australia each year.
Sadly thousands more cases
occur but are never
reported.

A further 21 000 cases of

emotional neglect are
documented. 4
Kids who are bullied are
three times more likely
to show depressive
symptoms. 5

Some types of bullying:

Verbal name-calling, threats,
put-downs, written.
Physical hit, punched, personal
goods damaged.
Social exclusion, rumours.
Psychological dirty looks,
stalking, intimidation. 6
Over 44 000 children and
adolescents are homeless
every night in Australia. 7

Young homeless people have

reported feeling frustrated,
embarrassed, helpless and
vulnerable, hopeless, unhappy,
worthless, scared and fearful,
anxious, isolated and lonely,
angry, and envious of other young
people with homes and families. 8
In 2005-2006, there were 7 299 hospitalisations
of young people due to intentional self-harm - a
rate of 197 per 100 000 young people. 9

Myth: Teenagers self-harm for

attention.

Fact: Around two thirds of

teenagers who self-harm never
tell or show anyone. 10
Up to 10% of
adolescent
Australians are
same-sex attracted.
11

People experiencing
uncertainty about their
gender identity
frequently present with
high levels of distress
and anxiety. 12
 15-20% of adolescent
deaths are a result of
suicide. 13

For every death from suicide,

it is estimated there are 10-30
times as many attempted
suicides or episodes of
deliberate self-harm. 14
Having an understanding of adolescent
issues is the beginning of forming healthy
teacher-student relationships.

The issues discussed in this presentation

are by no means the only issues that
teenagers may face in their daily lives.
However, being aware of the possibilities
will assist teachers in supporting
adolescents in the classroom and is the
first step in getting to know your
students.
 References
1 Commonwealth of Australia. (n.d.). National Preventative Health Strategy the roadmap for
action. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved on 01/10/10 from:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/nphs-roadmap-
toc~nphs-roadmap-4~nphs-roadmap-4.4~nphs-roadmap-4.4.7

2,3 ABC. (2010). Call for campaign to curb parents' drinking. ABC. Retrieved on 01/10/10 from:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/20/2931758.htm

4 Bromfield,L.& Horsfall, B. (2010). Child abuse and neglect statistics. Commonwealth of Australia.
Retrieved on 05/09/10 from http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs1/rs1.html

5 Baker, F. (n.d.). Facts and figures about bullying. Retrieved on 15/10/10 from
http://www.kidspot.com.au/School-Bullying-Facts-and-figures-about-
bullying+3095+258+article.htm

6 Inspire Foundation (n.d.). Bullying What is it? Retrieved on 3/10/10 from:

http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/bullying-what-it-is

7 National Youth Commission. (2008). Australias Homeless Youth. National Youth Commission
retrieved on 12/10/10 from http://www.nyc.net.au/files/Australias_Homeless_Youth.pdf

8 Youth Homeless Matters. (2009). Youth Homelessness. Retrieved on 21/09/10 from

http://www.youthhomelessnessmatters.net/

9 Department of Health and Aging. (2009). Response-ability. Commonwealth of Australia.

Retrieved on 7/10/10 from: http://www.responseability.org/site/index.cfm?display=134574
10 Children, youth and Womens Health Services. ( 2009). Self-harm. Government of South
Australia. Retrieved on 13/09/10 from:
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=293&id=2464

11 McNair, R. (n.d.). Health and Healthcare for Lesbian, Bisexual and Same-sex-attracted Women.
Retrieved on 13/09/10 from: http://www.dialog.unimelb.edu.au/lesbian/orientation/overview.htm

12 Newman, L. (2005). How To Treat: Gender Identity Issues. Australian Doctor. Retrieved on
01/10/10 from http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/HTT/PDF/ad_htt_033_040___jun10_05.pdf

13 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). Suicides, Australia, 2005. Commonwealth of Australia.

Retrieved on 13/09/10 from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/3309.0/

14 Horgan, D. (n.d.). Suicide Prevention.com.au. The Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Retrieved on 17/10/10 from: http://www.suicideprevention.com.au/pages/?id=52&tid=13

15 Orzabel, R. (1982). Mad World [Recorded by Gary Jules]. A&M Records, Los Angeles (2007).

16 Catholic College Wodonga Students. (2007). Barbed Wire Angels. Kool Skools CD recording.
Melbourne.