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This is part of Susan's post, but I can't figure out how to add this image. There were no computers at that stage!

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I tried to avoid homework whenever possible. Working at school was fine but at home? Seriously?!

I enjoyed mixing with my immediate peer group and in particular, students who played the same sports as me. It was a very 'sporty' school and if you weren't in the 'First XVIII' for Aussie Rules or 'First XI' for cricket, you didn't matter. 'First XV' for rugby was well and good but it wasn't footy.

How can we help:
- Give anecdotal stories about what life was like for me growing up. The good and the bad.
- Remind them that diversity is awesome and should be celebrated and is something that makes schools like ours a great place to be.
- Get them to embrace challenges as well as celebrate their successes.

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Starting a new school, the first year of High School. Relegated to the front of the bus where all the younger kids sat. New uniform, new subjects - finally there were specialist teachers and subjects and the opportunity to learn a language. My world just became so much bigger.
We relied upon our big sisters to help us find the classes, but there were gangs of 'toughs' with T pins (so it was rumoured). It was such a big school from my Primary School.
I loved all the different books for the different subjects and heaven help me, I loved the homework.
The world looked fairly bleak - nuclear proliferation. At the end of the year the release of Star Wars. How amazing!

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Everyone knows what to do/where to go/how to be cool except for me.

I did good work, but sometimes didn't turn it in b/c I was embarrassed of drawing attention to myself.

I was afraid to talk in class.

What we can do:
-help students feel comfortable by sharing stories
-modeling how to mess up and fix it
-not drawing attention to specific students, but instead teaching students how to celebrate each other's work.
-calling on students randomly so raising hands is not an option.

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Sarah
Kids made fun of me for working hard. I was afraid to not let kids copy my HW b/c I thought I wouldn't have friends. I was a pretty bad dresser, but I remember trying to be cool

How can we help our students:
- share some of our personal stories of MS to let them know that we've all gone through similar experiences
- celebrate the strengths that the quiet students bring to the class too
- create an environment where they feel safe to make mistakes and be themselves

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I  was a goody-two shoes, always wanted to please everyone!
Confident on the outside but worried about not getting good grades, not having the latest fashion, conscious of my body, wanted to be involved in everything but terrified to try out!

How can we help?
- Creating a safe space where students can share their concerns so they know they are all in this together!
- Telling them what we were like, and how we survived!
- Guided independence and flexible structure!

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Middle School was an awkward time for me - I cringe when I look back on photos from those years! I enjoyed school and my classes (except math). I had some close friends but I remember how mean some of the girls could be.
Will I make friends?
Will I have people to eat lunch with?
Will I have to speak in front of the class?

What can we do to support?
Provide positive, inclusive classroom environments

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Please don't look at me.
I'm taller than EVERYONE.
No one will like me.
How can I hide?
How can I miss PE?

What can we do? Learn names. Let them be with people they feel comfortable with at the start.

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Why are all these people so big? I'm scared.
I don't know anybody.
I don't know how this all works.
What will my teachers be like?

What can we do - get to know the students as quickly as possible. Make the environment as welcoming as possible. Work on taking stress away.

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Worries....
will i got lost? Everyone will know 'cos i'm huge!
Will i make friends? Where are my friends?
too many classes and teachers!
organisation?!?!
I hope they don't ask me any questions
Will there be too much homework?

Solutions....
Tall doesn't mean older!
Seating plans- take the choice away from me
Get to know the advisor /LS teacher
Slowly tighten the expectations over first 3 weeks- lateness etc
Sound like, look like, feel like....
Request G8s look out for them