“20 years ago scientists thought that teenage brains were the same as adult brains, but like really rubbish versions of them!”

This is one of the opening lines from Brainstorm, the show our Ivy Players took to Edinburgh Fringe this year. The show takes a deep dive into the teenage brain, exploring the idea that teenagers are as they are (impulsive and less emotionally stable that adults) because of the very important development going on in their brain and NOT just because they are “rubbish adults”.

Brainstorm was a very impressive piece of drama, in its own right. But it also resonated with the many parents of teens sitting in the audience, myself included. Why do we sometimes expect our teens to be adults? We didn’t expect our toddlers to be teenagers! I found myself wondering if it is harder for parents of the bright, accomplished and mature pupils we have at Croydon High to avoid that trap. Because in so many ways these girls seem very adult-like. But our respectful, conscientious, and ambitious teens have the same under-developed prefrontal cortex and the same mess of extra synapses still to be pruned as your average teen.

In the same week as being reminded by some of our impressive teens that life as a teenager can be more challenging than we sometimes appreciate, I have been following the inquest of Molly Russell. It is terrifying reading for any parent. There has always been a disconnect between parents and their teens, where being on the same page gets more challenging. But social media has widened that gap in a way no one could have predicted. Both Instagram and Pinterest are giving evidence at her inquest. It must be almost unbearable, as a parent, to now read the messages Molly was posting on a secret Twitter account, things she was telling no one else. Things which, had she told someone else, would have prompted help.

If being a teenager is significantly more challenging in 2022, then parenting one (or three in my case) needs more thought, support and resource than our parents needed, or had.

For what it is worth (caveat – I do not have any definitive answers!) my personal strategies include:

• Never looking shocked at anything I am told that their friends have done. If they think I will be shocked, or worse cross, then they will not tell me next time and I would rather wrestle with the truth than enjoy a fantasy.
• Start uncomfortable conversations. Even if they squirm, it means they know I am open to challenging topics, in case they come up in their lives in the future.
• Let them know I get it wrong (and I do). If teens believe that the adults around them are perfect, it is very hard for them to accept their own mistakes, and ask for help.

And because I am certainly not an expert, I am adding A Neuroscientist’s Survival to the Adolescents to my reading list. But in the meantime, I am going to try to say ‘I want you to clean the kitchen like I would clean the kitchen’ a bit less frequently at home. Thank you Ivy Players!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teenage-Brain-Neuroscientists-Survival-Adolescents/dp/0007448317

Mrs Bradshaw

Deputy Head (Sixth Form and Operations)

We are delighted to share the news that one of our Drama Scholars, Kyla Robinson in Year 8 was recently chosen by the GDST to help them showcase all the wonderful work that goes on in our family of schools.

Last term a film crew spent the day at Croydon High, working with Kyla and some of her class mates and producing what we all feel is a fantastic insight in to one aspect of our school. Other GDST schools are also represented, in what will build up to be a series of spotlight videos, focusing on different pupils and the wide variety of interests and opportunities throughout the GDST network.

The videos will be appearing as advertisements for the GDST and the campaign kicks off today in cinemas around the country with some TV slots coming soon, we believe.

So if you are visiting a cinema to see one of the following films over the next few weeks, look out for GDST pupils flying the flag – particularly Kyla of course! And here is a sneak preview of the first three videos to air…

Emma from Northwood College (Film – Ticket to Paradise) Watch Emma’s Film

Kyla from Croydon High  (Film – See How They Run) Watch Kyla’s Film

Juno from Brighton Girls (Film – Don’t Worry Darling) Watch Juno’s Film

Thank you to Kyla for representing our school so brilliantly.

Mrs Cook

Director of Philanthropy and External Relations

On Tuesday 20 September, the Ivy Players reprised their Edinburgh Fringe production of Brainstorm; in front of a hugely appreciative home crowd.

Brainstorm has been described as ‘a loud, vibrant and unashamed examination of what it’s like to be a teenager’.  The production was created by the talented cast in conjunction with writer-director Maddy Corner (who also wrote and directed She, which the Ivy Players brought to the Fringe in 2019)  and is the culmination of many hours of hard work and collaboration.  The play draws upon the life experiences of the cast, interwoven with cognitive neuroscientist Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s research, combining scientific analysis with funny, brave and honest accounts; it punctuates science with art and feeling.

I had heard a lot about the show, including the very positive reviews it received in Edinburgh, but I was unprepared for the sheer power and punch it delivered. The subject matter is fascinating, but the performances and the staging is what really brings it all to life. The case was superb, each and every one of them, and it was a tremendous showcase of their writing and acting talents as well as their maturity and sensitivity. It is no exaggeration to say that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the end!

Thank you so much to the remarkable Mrs Webb for all the energy she puts into everything and for enabling us to enjoy such a wonderful performance in school. Thanks to everyone who helped backstage, and of course, to the inspirational Ivy Players; Talia Evans, Sophia J,  Ambreen, Olivia H, Phoebe H, Darcey,  Shenai, Raegan,  Maddie,  Jessica,   Aila, Emily and Amy.

Mrs Cook

Director of Philanthropy and External Relations

On Friday 16 September, our Year 6 classes spent the day in the Senior School, trying out life as Year 7 pupils.

They joined us in time for a noisy and fun House Assembly, led by the Sixth Form House Captains, where the true competitive spirit of the house system was in full swing. Then it was off to lessons in Physics, Chemistry, Music, English and DT before lunch.

After lunch, the group spent time with members of our Lower Sixth, who had devised a quiz for the occasion and the girls also received a surprise visit from Ms Davies.  Ms Davies answered questions ranging from What is it like to be Head of Croydon High? (“ wonderful so far” ) and “ Who is your favourite teacher at Croydon High? ( diplomatically avoided!) to What is your favourite subject? (Music of course!).

Afternoon lessons included Enterprise Technology, Art and Religion, Ethics and Philosophy. By the end of the day, the girls were starting to tire a little as they realised what a big site the Senior School is! However, they remained enthusiastic and appreciative throughout and were a pleasure to have in the school.

We look forward to seeing more of them over the coming weeks and months as they embark on their exciting journey to Senior School. Thank you to all the teaching staff and our magnificent Sixth Formers for all their help in organising the day.

Mrs Cook

Director of Philanthropy and External Relations

Last week Year 7 pupils visited Skern Lodge in north Devon. This residential trip is a rite of passage for our Year 7 pupils, where they have the opportunity to push themselves and get to know their new classmates and tutors as they begin life in our Senior School. Over the course of the week, pupils participated in a range of challenging and exciting outdoor activities, including climbing, abseiling, surfing, day long hikes, night walks and rafting. A collection of pupils’ thoughts are included below:

We enjoyed our trip to Skern because there were a lot of activities to do like surfing, rafting, climbing, abseiling, ziplining, rockets and riddles, assault course and other activities in the evenings, lots of the things we wouldn’t have the chance to do in school.

Lots of people enjoyed surfing the most because it was something that we have not done before and we thought it would be really difficult but lots of people managed to stand on the board.

It was good to have the chance to meet new people and make new friends, we especially enjoyed pushing Mr Baker into a river whilst we were rafting. It was a great way to start year 7.

Emilia R (7K) / Anusha P (7G)

Year 7 Pupils & Teachers