SOTE: Article Library

Index of Articles

The following articles have appeared in the School newsletter or are based on talks given in parents and teachers seminars.

The Agitated Generation
Children appear to be more agitated than in previous generations. The pace of life, television, video games, popular music, junk food and social factors are possible causes. Teachers and parents need to understand these influences and cooperate in finding solutions.
(Author: Richard Waters; Published: September 2001)

Angela Woods’ Visit to SOTE
Angela Woods is the mother of Anna Woods, a Sydney teenager who died from the effects of a single tablet of Ecstasy. Angela spoke to SOTE senior school students about Anna’s story and the negative effects of drugs.
(Author: Helen O'Brien; Published: September 2001)

Barriers to Communication
Family counsellor Clive Duffy talks about listening, avoiding criticism, being sensitive and choice of timing as ways of improving communication with children and adolescents.
(Author: Clive Duffy; Published: September 2001)

Beyond Professionalism
SOTE Principal Richard Waters discusses how the role of a teacher requires more than just a commitment to professionalism.
(Author: Richard Waters; Published: May 2006)

Building Empathy in Children
Family counsellor Clive Duffy discusses the importance of modelling empathy because children learn by observation. Also the use of examples and the need for consistency.
(Author: Clive Duffy; Published: September 2001)

Creative Discipline 1
Teacher Neil Rasmussen talks about his approach to discipline. Being patient. The need for flexibility. Avoiding guilt. Self-discipline.
(Author: Neil Rasmussen; Published: September 2001)

Creative Discipline 2
Teacher Anne Casley provides numerous practical examples of her approach to creative discipline.
(Author: Anne Casley; Published: September 2001)

Creative Discipline 3
Teacher Bronnie Snow provides some practical examples of creative discipline for the primary years.
(Author: Bronnie Snow; Published: September 2001)

Early Childhood Education at SOTE
Kindergarten as a secure environment for children. Linkages with the primary/secondary school. Getting to know each child. Preparation for primary school. Parental involvement.
(Author: Lorraine Las Gourgues; Published: September 2001)

Excellence Through Care
The School of Total Education aims at the achievement of excellence in all areas of a child’s development; not through pushing and pressure, but through care.
(Author: Richard Waters; Published: September 2001)

Graduation Address 2006 — We are a Living Document of our Life’s Learning Experiences
Author and teacher Cheri Yavu-Kama-Harathunian’s address to the SOTE graduation in November 2006.
(Author: Cheri Yavu-Kama-Harathunian; Published: June 2007)

How to Say “No” (Setting Boundaries for Children)
Primary teacher Bronnie Osborn discusses how boundaries give young children a sense of discipline and security. She explains that parents need to be clear about what they value and have a relationship of love and respect with the child. Parents also need discipline within themselves — a child always responds better to a firm, decisive “No” from a parent who is in control of him or herself.
(Author: Bronnie Osborn; Published: October 2001)

Innateness
Fostering the inner development of each child allows expression of their unique personality and gifts. SOTE recently ran an “innateness” program for parents.
(Author: Jan Gudkovs; Published: September 2001)

Letting Children Be Wrong
Children are growing up in a different era from their parents and have their own way of thinking. Parents need to allow children to learn from their own experiences. Love and being available for your children.
(Author: Jan Gudkovs — based on a talk given by Vijayadev Yogendra; Published: September 2001)

Maintaining Relationships
Family counsellor Clive Duffy explains that the importance of the couple relationship is to connect the person inside you with the person inside your partner, then discusses some practical ways of maintaining a relationship.
(Author: Clive Duffy; Published: October 2002)

The Need for Teacher Education
A good teacher is the most valuable asset of a nation. Teachers can be the redeemers of a void-filled society. We need to re-educate young teachers or select more mature people to be teachers who have more insight and depth in understanding the principles of living. Six ways are suggested to make teacher education more contributive.
(Author: Vijayadev Yogendra; Published: July 2002)

Principles of Total Education
Society is a product of our education system. To counter the influence of materialism, education needs to change. Total Education aims to encompass the best of both eastern and western cultures. Knowledge from within. Character development. The uniqueness of each child. Physical education and health. The role of the teacher.
(Author: Bronnie Osborn; Published: September 2001)

The Educational Philosophy of V.A. Sukhomlinsky
Overview of the educational approach and philosophy of Russian educator Vasily Aleksandrovich Sukhomlinsky who ran a school at Pavlysh in the Ukraine. Alan Cockerill is the author of “Each One Must Shine”, a biography of Sukhomlinsky.
(Author: Alan Cockerill; Published: September 2001)

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
All the people in the life of a child contribute to the child’s learning. SOTE enrols families, not children. Seeing all children as one’s own. Ways in which parents can contribute.
(Author: Richard Waters; Published: September 2001)

Visual Arts at SOTE
The role of artmaking within the School environment. The importance of encouragement. Providing each child with the opportunity to discover and refine their unique talents.
(Author: Anne Walters; Published: September 2001)

Young Navigators of Life
Growing up brings the independence to make one’s own decisions and live with the consequences. The only constant is change. Having patience and tolerance allows time for change in ourselves and others.
(Author: Genzan Kosaka; Published: May 2002)