To the Somerville House Community

oOne way to have a discussion about sex with adolescents without lecturing or checking on them is:"I've realised I'm not sure what your values are about sex, and I'm interested in what you think".• Provide healthy role models for your children. We all get influenced by media and marketing but weneed to watch our behaviour as children learn from observing. For example, parents need to be carefulhow much they talk about diets, or pass comments on their own body image (eg "I look fat in this"). It canbe more helpful to talk about healthy eating, and to show children that health is related to many morethings than just weight. Mothers and fathers should be careful not to criticise their daughters about howthey look - this can create an unhealthy attitude towards appearances.• Be real. Help your daughter to focus on what's really important: what she thinks, feels, and values. Helpher build strengths and remind her that everyone is unique, and that it is not helpful to judge people solelyby their appearance.• Maintain a balance. Remember that maintaining a good relationship with your daughter is of paramountimportance. Do not become too pre-occupied with all the experimentation your daughter tries in her dressor mannerisms as they are part of normal adolescence. Finally, don’t forget to have fun activities withyour daughter and spend quality time with her as these are the foundation for building a strong,close and healthy relationship.Information adapted from the APS; http://www.psychology.org.au/.If you want more information please contact me on 3248 9246 or by email: fpapadimitriou@somerville.qld.edu.au.STUDENT COUNSELLOR/CAREERSMrs J CowenUNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND (UQ) CAREERS IN HEALTH WEBSITE: Did you know that Health Sciencecourses were among the most popular university courses for students applying for entry in 2013? The followinginformation will be helpful if you are interested in a health career.The UQ website at www.uq.edu.au/health/careers has information on a wide range of health careers and courses,including:Audiology Health Sciences Occupational TherapyClinical Exercise Physiology Health, Sport & PE Oral HealthDental Science Medicine ParamedicsDietetics Midwifery PharmacyExercise & Sport Sciences Nursing PhysiotherapyExercise & Nutrition Sciences Nutrition Speech PathologyYou can register on the ‘Stay Connected’ section of the website to receive the latest health career and course newsand information.RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS ON THE QUT WEBSITE: The Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT)Resources for Students webpage at www.qut.edu.au/study/undergraduate-study/do-you-advise-schoolstudents/resources-for-studentscontains the following resources:• a presentation on ‘What are the main differences between school and uni’• a short quiz that can help you explore QUT courses that may interest you• the Student Sharehouse Blog where current QUT students discuss their experiences of life at uni• an opportunity to ‘stay connected’ by subscribing to updates on courses in which you are interested.GRIFFITH SPORTS COLLEGE – HELP FOR ELITE ATHLETES: If you are an elite athlete thinking of applying forcourses at Griffith University next year, you need to explore the assistance you can get from the Griffith SportsCollege. You will receive support to balance your academic and sporting commitments. For more information, visitwww.griffith.edu.au/griffith-sports-college.11