The adolescent brain
In Years 5 to 9, our students are undergoing one of the most dramatic stages of brain development in their lifetime. This is well-understood by our teachers, and guides the kind of expectations, support and encouragement that they provide for our Middle School students.
The Middle School (Years 5 - 9) represents a significant stage in a young person’s life. These are the years when experiencing positive relationships, being genuinely engaged in learning, and developing good self-esteem have a major and lasting impact on each young person. We have students entering the Middle School at 10-years-old and they will leave at the end of Year 9 as 15- or 16-year-olds, nearer to adulthood than childhood. Our students will be navigating immense change and growth and the Middle School needs to be dynamic. It is vital to have the best teachers, and we do. They know how to work with and guide young people through what can often be challenging times. Without exception, our teachers are passionate about their students, and although the students may not always like the boundaries or expectations placed on them, decisions are always made with each student’s growth in mind.
Changes in adolescent behaviour at Middle School
The Middle School student wants change, they want opportunity, they chase identity, challenge and affirmation – they want to know, they want to be, they want to learn and they want to think for themselves. They are undergoing significant intellectual, social, physical, emotional, ethical and moral development. They are moving from concrete to abstract thinking. They have an intense curiosity and a growing capacity for higher order thinking and reflection. As students in the classroom, they seek challenge and engagement. They feel an intense need to belong and be accepted by their peers. They strive to be independent, but whilst outwardly confident they are often insecure and sensitive to personal criticism. They increasingly turn to their peers to define their language, attitudes, self-image and values. They may even reason and act differently to what you expect.
Brain development in adolescents – the ‘use it or lose it’ stage
The human brain experiences only two stages of dramatic re-development. The first is in early childhood and 95% of the brain is developed, the second is during pre-adolescence into adolescence; the Middle School years. During this stage, the brain is either strengthening connections or synapses that are used consistently, and wrapping and supporting them in myelin, or pruning those that aren’t being used. It truly is the stage of life where ‘use it or lose it’ is most apt in brain formation.
Reacting with your gut
During adolescence, the pre-frontal cortex or frontal lobe (the CEO of the brain) is still to be fully developed. This section of the brain is critical for thinking function, planning, goal-directed behaviour, judgement, insight, and the stopping and starting and shifting attention. Rather than using the frontal lobe, the adolescent will reach deep inside the brain and access the amygdala to process critical thought and decision making. The amygdala is concerned with emotion and gut response to stimuli – meaning the teenager’s brain will react with more of a gut reaction than executive or more thinking kind of response. You can expect more of an impulsive behavioural response, instead of a nice thoughtful and measured response, especially in Years 7 to 9.
New language and social networks
We must also acknowledge the impact that technology is having on the lives and learning of our Middle Years students. Through technology, many students develop their own language and social networks, and 2020 confirmed the long-held belief that the role and importance of technology in learning will be a major factor in the way students learn and define themselves. At the same time, the ICT revolution and continuing evolution has resulted in a higher demand for Middle Years students to be highly skilled in reading and writing and in doing so with speed, agility and in different genres. Strong literacy, numeracy and now most importantly, thinking and technology skills are essential because they provide the foundations for future success for our students.
Setting up for success
Student achievement is greatly influenced not only by the expectations of parents and teachers but also by students’ own perceptions, experiences and expectations of success and achievement. Our teachers work closely with students to set clear, high expectations about student achievement, whilst providing regular support and encouragement.
We acknowledge every student in our school as a brilliant young person with their own qualities and strengths. This requires a sound knowledge of each student, and this is what our Middle School teachers are known for.
Steve Coshutt is the Head of Middle School at the Glen Waverley Campus
