day 2 gender education

Gender EducationEllen Bailey and Jarrad McCabeMercedes CollegeAdelaide, South Australia

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Introduction Ellen Bailey

Break Free Coordinator

Year 9 Coordinator 2008-10

MYP Language B French Teacher

Jarrad McCabe Being Boys

Coordinator Year 9 Coordinator

2010-11 MYP Physical

Education Teacher


Mercedes College Adelaide, South

Australia Reception to Year

12 Catholic Co-Educational Mercy Tradition


Why are we here? Gender Education Programmes currently running at

Mercedes College in Year 9 are Being Boys: First Steps to Manhood Break Free

The programmes were implemented in 2007 and are currently an integral part of Year 9 at Mercedes College

This presentation will give an outline of both programmes and how they align with the MYP Areas of Interaction and IB Learner Profile


Mercy Keys The Mercy Keys underpin everything that our College

strives to uphold

Compassion Integrity Justice Loyalty Mutual Respect Responsibility

The Being Boys and Break Free programmes compliment the Mercy Keys and further build on


What do current Year 9 students think and feel?Being Boys and Break FreeMercedes College


What are you looking forward to in Year 9?Year 9 Girls

Mercedes College 2011


What are you looking forward to in Year 9?Year 9 Boys



What types of things do you think worry your peers?Year 9 Girls



What types of things do you think worry your peers?Year 9 Boys



Do you think it’s hard to be a teenager these Year 9 Girls



Do you think it’s hard to be a teenager these Year 9 Boys



Who do you talk to when something’s bothering you?Year 9 Girls



Who do you talk to when something’s bothering you?Year 9 Boys



Boys and girls are differentBeing Boys and Break FreeMercedes College


Gender differences Most parents will tell you that boys and girls

are different in many ways Psychologists including Delfos, Carr, Gurian,

Bidulph and Pollack all agree that these differences are biological


Why do these differences exist? Biological rather than learned behaviour Brains are wired differently Brain connections in males develop more

slowly in areas of language, attention to detail and hearing

The limbic system, which controls emotions, is more active in females … within hours of birth, a baby girl is more interested in people’s faces than boys are


Neanderthal Man Hunter Single minded Result orientated


Neanderthal Woman Care giver Gatherer Multi-tasker Nurturer


Conceptualisation

Girls Draw nouns Car, flower, Mum,

Dad More detail More emotion

Boys Draw verbs Speeding, flying,

crashing Less detail Less emotion


Drawing

Girls Boys


Mercedes College at a glance… Heads of School have reported that

around 80% of incidents that require parental interviews involve boys for disciplinary reasons

Of the 20% of girls, only 5% are involved in disciplinary meetings, while the remaining 15% are for personal or friendship reasons


Gender Education at Mercedes College In 2007, Mr Michael Ebert (Mercedes

College Year 9 Coordinator 2007-08) implemented the Being Boys programme

Following its tremendous success, a female equivalent programme, Break Free, began later that year

The programmes have flourished since 2007, and continue to thrive in 2011


How do these programmes incorporate the MYP Areas of Being Boys and Break FreeMercedes College


MYP Areas of Interaction The programmes heavily focus on Health and

Social Education How do I think and act? How am I changing? How can I look after myself and others?

The programmes deal with aspects towards having complete and healthy lives

They encompass physical, social and emotional health intelligence


Being BoysProgramme Information


The hard facts about men and boys today Commit more violent crimes Involved in and cause more car accidents More likely to indulge in risk taking behaviours, drug use,

dangerous driving, jetty jumping For every 100 females aged 15 – 19 who commit suicide,

549 males in the same age range kill themselves For every 100 women aged 18 – 21 in correctional

facilities, there are 1430 men behind bars Nearly all of the high school shooters are boys that have

been bullied (Picoult J Nineteen Minutes)


What is Being Boys about? Boys look for a rite of passage to prove they

are men This means that many boys indulge in risky

behaviour that they perceive as manly, without pausing to consider the likely consequences

In our social context, these behaviours include: Drinking alcohol / taking drugs Fighting to defend mates or ethnic origin Dangerous driving


What does Being Boys cover? Examining the difference between males and females Being a man in today’s society Feelings and beliefs Managing feelings and assertiveness skills Anger management Risky behaviour Cyber citizenship Our own story Stillness and Camp


What does the Being Boys camp involve? Tenting and preparing a meal with small

group Group dynamics activities involving ropes Campfire discussion Paintball adventure Reflection


Break FreeProgramme Information


The hard facts about women and girls today 1 in 4 young women have been a victim of drink spiking

and/or sexual molestation Anxiety and depression rates are rising with 11 percent

of our girls routinely engaging in self harm Only 1 percent of today’s young women between 18

and 34 are naturally as thin as a super model 1 in 4 girls aged between 10 and 14 preferred not to

take part in certain activities as they were worried about the way they looked

87% of teenage girls believe there is way too much bitchiness in schools

Underage drinking kills 1 teenager per week and results in 60 hospital admissions each week


What is Break Free about? Providing opportunities for girls to be the

best they can be Self worth Self esteem Personal confidence Social skills Positive/healthy relationships Knowledge and skills – transferable for

lifelong learning


Why is Break Free offered to Year 9 girls? Time when girls are seeking greater

independence Decisions of a more serious nature made Exploring and developing valued and

lifelong friendships Influence of role models and media Middle Years Schooling - important years

of psychological and physical change and development for girls


What does Break Free cover? The programme consists of nine sessions, covering a range of

different activities and topics, such as: Relationships Body image Families School Resilience Prejudice and discrimination Independence Acceptance

At the end of the nine sessions, a camp and debriefing/evaluation is held to celebrate the girls’ achievements and experiences


How are the Break Free sessions delivered? Presentations and workshops conducted by

outside presenters and speakers, as well as College staff

Sessions consist of: Physical participation (performances/ activities i.e.

Tai Chi/ Dance/ Pilates / Self Defence /Gym work/Skin Care/ Art etc.)

Discussions and presentations (small and large group)

Problem-solving Theory, knowledge and skill development Reflection and evaluation


What does the Break Free Camp involve?

2 days and 2 nights away from home with their mentors

Each group stays in their own cabin They are responsible for their food 2 sessions of surfing in the mornings Craft session 2 group discussion sessions


Desired outcomes and benefits of the programmes New and positive relationships Increased understanding of themselves and others Knowledge and understanding of important issues

that impact on their gender and well-being Greater confidence to express themselves Leadership skills Problem solving skills Decision making skills Strategies to deal with a variety of situations Skills to enhance lifelong learning


Why are students invited? Invitations for Break Free and Being Boys

are extended to all students in Year 9 Home Group teacher and Year Level

Coordinator identification Home Group teacher feedback The programmes are for students who

would benefit from the opportunities provided, and also for those who have something to offer the programme


How do these programmes allow students to develop Being Boys and Break FreeMercedes College


InquirersIB Learner Profile


Inquirers

Break Free Encouraged to ask

questions Range of responses to

consider and make informed decisions on

Leads to solution

Being Boys Natural curiosity

enhanced through hands-on activities

Break dance, self defence, fishing … untried beforehand


KnowledgeableIB Learner Profile


Knowledgeable

Break Free Self esteem Healthy eating Exercise Bullying Self defence Relaxation Goals and Resilience

Being Boys Male body image Cyber citizenship Alcohol Group dynamics


ThinkersIB Learner Profile


Thinkers

Break Free Individual and

group problem solving

Work in small groups to consider possible outcomes

Being Boys Group dynamics

activities Advice to peers in

group discussions requires solutions to problems


CommunicatorsIB Learner Profile


Communicators

Break Free Communicate in every

session Even the most timid girls

feel safe, welcome and worthy to share

Girls learn to listen Every girl relishes being a

communicator

Being Boys Group discussions Campfire discussions on

camp has led to powerful memories for many boys


PrincipledIB Learner Profile


Principled

Break Free Skills to make informed

and positive decisions for their lives and futures

Consider positives, negatives, interesting things in relation to issues/themes

Being Boys Respect shown in group

discussions Trust gained and

maintained among boys


Open-mindedIB Learner Profile


Open-minded

Break Free Each girl is different,

with own issues/ideas Each girl is required to

be considerate of each other and respectful of differences

Different activities requires open outlook from girls

Being Boys Learning about other

boys and their similarities and differences

Camp activities require group solutions to problems


CaringIB Learner Profile


Caring

Break Free Care and love evident

in every small group This grows inevitably as

weeks pass in the programme

Being Boys Campfire discussions on

camp


Risk-takersIB Learner Profile


Risk-takers

Break Free Participation in the

programme Outside comfort zone New acquaintances Trusting peers Self defence, exercise,

pilates Learning to surf breaks

down stereotypes

Being Boys Nominating to take part

in the programme Participation in every

session Exposing who the boys

really are inside


BalancedIB Learner Profile


Balanced

Break Free Study, sport and

commitment to the programme

Learning to slow themselves down, relax and take part in pilates

Learn to breathe, stretch, and try something new

Being Boys Programme itself is

balanced (physical, intellectual, emotional)

Boys develop in all areas


ReflectiveIB Learner Profile


Reflective

Break Free Hopes for future Responsibility Families Peer relationships Media influence Importance of healthy

lifestyles

Being Boys What has shaped you

so far? What kind of father do

you want to be?


Senior GirlsMercedes CollegeBreak Free Participants (2008)


Senior BoysMercedes CollegeBeing Boys Participants (2008)


Gender Education Ellen Bailey

Break Free Coordinator [email protected]

Jarrad McCabe Being Boys Coordinator [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]




References Hamilton, Maggie., What’s Happening to

Our Girls?, Penguin Group Australia, 2009. Carr-Gregg, Michael., The Princes

Bitchface Syndrome, Penguin Group Australia, 2007.


day 2 gender education

Documents

girlsmercedes college

boysmercedes college

current year

boys coordinator year

free coordinator year

mercedes college adelaide

differentbeing boys

types of things