The average high school has 750 teenagers, 250 dating couples, and more than 50 options for extracurricular activities. With so many opportunities to connect, your high schooler may find their place in engineering class or on the debate team, in drama club or on the basketball court.
Year-9 means increased demands for personal responsibility. For those headed to college/university, grades begin to count toward future admission. For everyone, grades count toward a high school certificate.
By the end of this year, your teenager will have a more stable sense of who they are. Frankly, they may be a little frustrated you haven't known who they were all along. (Why not? it's been so obvious.) Listen carefully. Pay attention. Stalk them openly. The greatest thing you can do in this phase is to continually rediscover who they are becoming and know where they are finding acceptance.
High school means higher stakes. Many Year-9 students spend this year redefining who they thought they were or what they thought their future would be. Pay attention. Ask questions. This is a significant year.
You help them learn when you... ASK QUESTIONS.
You capture their heart when you ... VALUE COMMUNITY
You coach their moral abilities when you ... GIVE CHOICES
In this phase when your year-9 teenager is asking, "Where do I belong?" foster their connection to a positive faith community. Your Year-9 teenager will need consistent peers and leaders who will strengthen their relationship with God. So, look for ways to prioritise their church connection, and stay engaged in their faith journey by having conversations at home
