Ohrenberger School

Teenage girls are some of the most interesting groups of people in society. There is so much to say about them and, let us begin with understanding what being a teenage girl is all about. Teenage girls are girls who are in the process of becoming adults. This is a stage filled with changes and many of them are not just physical but, they are mental and psychological. It is pretty interesting to analyze teenage girls because they are so unpredictable. The greatest change they go through is the mental and emotional change. It is from the brain that the girls start to act differently. Of course all the changes are linked together and, it is hard to divorce them. Some of the physical changes that teens undergo are development of their sexual organs. This is where they start to feel their first sexual impulses and, it can prove to be very strange. For this reason. Teenage girls want to explore what sex is all about and they end up experimenting. Statistics have stated that half of all teenagers in the United States are sexually active and this is very strange compared to the past.

With the onset of modernization, teens are becoming more and more aware as their knowledge increases. They are also becoming more and more confident in the issue of sex. Therefore, it is no wonder of teenagers having sex nowadays. Teens will tend to have some form of rebellion during this stage. This is mainly because they are confused about life and they are not yet adults. They are also too old to be considered children. This can indeed prove to be a very lonely period and the only people they can really on identify with are other peers. Sex during teenage has a lot of implications and, it is not enough to tell all teens to abstain. In other words, abstinence has proved to be a failure when it comes to the best course of action against all looming implications of sex. Church leaders and other older people are of the mind that teens should not be having sex in the first place.

But, the other school of thought is that this concern is not very realistic. There has been commercialization of sex and what the teens have grown up watching has had a very huge impact on them. The reality is that, not all teen girls will want to abstain from sex. Therefore, it is vital to explore all other aspects and make sure that the teens are safe. There is much importance to ensure that information on how to have safe sex is put out there. With choices, the teen girls can make a wise decision and, if they cannot abstain, it is better to preserve their health. Sex is the most important topic that any parent with a teenager should focus on. Let them know what the consequences are and how they can make informed decisions.

Independent Junior Schools offer a broad curriculum, specialist teaching, small classes, a fantastic range of facilities, wholesome food, teacher-parent partnerships and a huge focus on the development of the individual child academically, socially and spiritually.

On receiving a prospectus from an independent school it will often say that they offer a broad curriculum, but what does this mean? The broad curriculum relates to what the children will do in school. As well as offering the core subjects most independent schools offer much more.

Art, drama, languages, design technology, music, Latin, religious education, personal, social, and health education, physical education and games are some of the things common to the curriculum. Within these subject areas will be additional disciplines. In music, for example children will have access to individual music lessons. The instruments and teaching are supplied by the school at no cost to parents. Specialist choral training and opportunities to perform in a range of contexts, all from an early age are all on offer. It is common for games to be undertaken every day and form a core part of the daily routine, promoting fitness, working as a team and contributing to a healthy lifestyle. The teaching of foreign languages often begins at an early age. French is the most common but I have known Spanish and Chinese also to be undertaken.

The term ’specialist teaching’ often crops up in a prospectus and is a core aspect of the Independent School way of life. This term relates to teachers and how the children are taught. Instead of having a single teacher who teaches them for all subjects, Independent Schools organise their curriculum so teachers who are specialists in their subjects (i.e. their first degree is in the subject they teach) undertake tuition of the pupils. For example a science teacher will teach all the science lessons and so the children receive input from a teacher who has outstanding subject knowledge. Depending on the school this may range from one or two subjects being taught by specialists to the whole curriculum. The level of subject input the pupils get is second to none often resulting in a higher level of understanding being achieved by the pupils.

Coupled with outstanding teaching are small classes. Class sizes often range from eight to twenty children per class but are on average around fourteen to eighteen. This enables an enormous amount of interaction between the teacher and pupil and also enables children to contribute to all aspects of class life without having to struggle to be heard or seen. This single fact allows teachers to develop outstanding relationships with pupils and help them to become good citizens.

When introducing reading to young children the ability to spend a great deal of time individually with them empowers all children to develop confidence and the necessary decoding skills needed for future development. Small classes enable teachers to provide the necessary attention required for the acquisition of this important skill. As the child is working in a one-to-one situation, the teacher is able to establish a unique programme of development for that child which enables him or her to develop exactly the skills they need.

You may have wondered why I have mentioned wholesome food. In this world where we are all bombarded by advertisements for all kinds of foods it is essential to teach children the importance of good, wholesome food. School lunches have had bad press recently but not all schools are the same. Some schools have stuck to their guns and have always offered their pupils a good, healthy balanced diet without the threat of the vending machine! Staff also play their part when they sit with the children for lunch and discuss worldly affairs and guide children into choosing a healthy meal.

Of course, one of the most important parts of a child’s education is their parents. Schools only have children for part of the day therefore it is essential that parents play their part. Parents are usually always welcome in a Prep school environment. Teachers pride themselves on the relationships they establish with parents and the role they are encouraged to play. A good school will foster good relationships with parents and guide them on how they can play their part in the development of the whole child.

When you visit an Independent School with a view to placing your child or children, discover whether the education on offer really does offer a broad curriculum. Is it taught by specialists in an environment supported by outstanding facilities where excellent pastoral care supports each child’s moral and spiritual development coupled with an individual learning plan ensuring a tailored education?