Anne Stringer is a registered psychologist who has worked with children, young people and their families for over 30 years. She has a Master of Education in student wellbeing and has worked in well-being roles within schools for over 20 years. Anne is currently Head of Wellbeing at an independent co-educational grammar school educating students from prep to year 12. She is passionate about supporting young people to build strong wellbeing practices and provides workshops to help develop the skills and knowledge that they need to be equipped to enter a complex world.
Anne has working alongside teachers for over 20 years and watched as their roles and the expectations have changed within a school setting. She is well aware of the pressure put onto teachers as they take on the ever growing demands and needs from children, adolescence and their families. She has seen good teachers fearful of doing harm or missing something as they try to support each and every student but at the same time try to navigate the growing curriculum demands and expectations at the same time.
Anne has great respect for teaching as a vocation and the passionate people that enter into this world trying to make the world a better place for children and young people.
This book hopes to provide some clarity and understanding about the complexities of wellbeing and how teachers, and schools can ask questions, make informed decisions within their school setting and build confidence in this difficult area.
During Anne’s working life she has supported and provided therapy to many parents with young children and adolescents. Anne is also a parent of 2 children in their 20’s so knows firsthand the challenges of raising a family. She has respect and admiration for parents who she believes love their children unconditionally and try their best, at times under difficult circumstances, to provide the support and love that young people need during this turbulent time.
‘Words of Wisdom’ has been written with passion outlining Anne’s work with adolescent girls. She has captured their stories, and experiences around a series of issues they face as they journey through the teenage years. The aim is to honour their voices but also provide a lens for parents to understand how their daughters see the world and what works from their point of view, to be able to best support their needs as they transition to adulthood.
It is an honest book that is written in a style that is easy to read with practical tips for managing a wide range of issues including self-harm, mental health, and grief. The hope is that the book will help to affirm and support the role of a parent, as well as teachers, counsellors and others working with or caring for the young ‘women’ in their lives.