From a uni reading:

“Compared with students with low grades, students with higher grades are significantly less likely to carry a weapon, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and have sexual intercourse” (along with later sexual initiation).

The reading is about “school connectedness”. Those behaviours are usually associated with low self esteem and self-value. But I also think that one can have high grades and low self-esteem; just that no one wants to be seen hanging out with a nerd. It’s been a long time since I’ve known what’s “cool” behaviour. I wonder if it’s really about feeling connected to the school, or the peer groups within?

One of the school mums has a daughter already in high school (and another daughter in Mini Me’s class). She joined the high school’s P&C and gave fundraising ideas which work well in primary school, like a school disco. She was quickly shut down: you don’t want 15 year olds in a dark room together. Even at Mini Me’s school disco last year, high school kids were found vaping in the toilets.