GDST Talks for Parents and Alumnae
In 2020, the GDST launched GDST Talks, a series of online seminars for GDST parents and alumnae. The GDST Talks seminars are led by distinguished experts who will share their experience and advice on the pressing issues of the day. Past events have focused on areas such as strategies for helping your child understand Covid-19 and how to support their mental health; how to speak to your child about racism; and reassuring your child when the world feels like a frightening and unpredictable place.
All the talks are online and still available to watch. Recent talks which may be of particular interest include:
GDST Talks with Dr Marisa Porges: How to raise bold, courageous and resilient women
Dr Porges is a leading voice on gender, education and leadership, thanks in part to her previous work as one of only a few women in the field of counterterrorism and national security in the Obama White House. Here, she reads excerpts from her book, What Girls Need: How to Raise Bold, Courageous and Resilient Girls, and shares her experience and advice to help parents encourage their daughters to be confident, kind, self-aware and to lead with empathy. Hosted by Alison Sefton, Head of Norwich High School. Watch the recording here (available until March 31st).
GDST Talks with Destine Lord: How to speak to your child about racism
Destine Lord is an anti-racism consultant currently working with GDST teachers and students on diversity, inclusion and real change. Destine has worked in both the private and public sectors, running workshops and training sessions to encourage innovative approaches to racial inclusion. Here, she talks about how families to bring diversity into daily lives, promote inclusion with their children, broach uncomfortable discussions, and keep lines of communication open to bring about positive change. Hosted by Carol Chandler-Thompson, Head of Blackheath High School. Watch the recording here (available until March 31st).
GDST Talks with Professor Abi Gewirtz: Helping your child when the world feels like scary place
Professor Abi Gewirtz, a South Hampstead High School Alumna, is Leadership Faculty Chair of the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Psychology. Here she addresses the themes in her new book, When the World Feels Like A Scary Place, and offers advice to parents on how to help their children deal with their worries caused by the many problems in the world from Covid to refugees to climate change. Hosted by Vicky Bingham, Head of South Hampstead High School. Watch the recording here (available until March 31st).
GDST Talks with Dr Deborah Woodman: Helping your child through Covid
Dr Woodman is consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead for Psychology at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’. In this presentation she talks about the impact that lockdown and its ongoing uncertainties have had on young people’s mental health and development. She offers advice for parents around how to best support their child, as well as sharing ideas on how they, too, can cope with the difficulties of being a parent during a pandemic. Hosted by Jo Sharrock, Head of Shrewsbury High School. Watch the recording here.
The next GDST Talks event takes place on Friday 5th February, with Marissa Carrarini on Encouraging Your Child To Eat Well: Healthy Eating for Sport and Activity.
Nutritionist and nutritional therapist Marissa Carrarini works with clients to normalise and simplify food and healthy eating. In this talk, hosted by the GDST Consultant Teacher for Sport and PE Alexis Williamson-Jones, Marissa will speak to parents about how to eat optimally for sport and activity, including good things to eat before and after training, and whether there is really any benefit in so-called sports drinks. Whilst the focus of the advice is on students doing sport, much is of relevance to everyone, and is part of a wider series of talks around addressing disordered eating and encouraging healthy eating habits. This event is suitable for parents with children in Year 5 to Year 13. Please see your School Comms emails for the link to sign up.
The sixth talk in the series will take place on Monday 8th February. The speaker is digital rights activist and YouTuber Charlotte Robertson who can regularly be seen campaigning in the media, in parliament and in schools and organisations around the world to empower young people to survive and thrive online. To mark Safer Internet Day 2021, she will be giving a presentation on How To Be A Tech Role Model For Your Child. This event is suitable for parents with children in Year 3 to Year 13. To book your place, please see School Comms for the link.
If you would like to find out more about upcoming GDST Talks events, there is information here. They would also welcome your feedback on the topics you would be interested in seeing covered by future GDST Talks.
Back to news
