Imagine picking up an exercise book — a well-established tool of modern schooling. As you page through you see the handy work of a young man; a knight on horseback, sword raised, charging into battle; there were also some wobbly attempts at writing the alphabet, a few spelling exercises and — most charmingly — a note to a friend named Daniel expressing greetings. At first glance, you might think this was the work of a modern student, doodling in the margins of their English book during a particularly uninspiring (to them) lesson.
Except… this boy had no pencil or pen. Nor did he express his musings on paper. His name was Onfim, a schoolboy from 13th-century Novgorod, in what’s now modern Russia. His exercise book was a collection of birch bark sheets, and his doodles have survived over 700 years to remind us of something wonderfully timeless. While we can bemoan how things are so different nowadays — how they have changed — Onfim shows us that kids haven’t really changed that much.
Onfim’s drawings are a delightful mix of whimsy, schoolwork and imagination. One moment he’s practising his writing; the next he’s sketching himself as a mighty warrior (complete with magnificent moustache). In passing a note to his friend Daniel during class, because clearly the pace of the lesson had slowed, even in medieval Russia, you had to know how to multitask when it came to learning and socialising.
The twenty first century, has its smart phones and AI, but what’s heartwarming — and frankly most amusing — is how little has changed. Swap the birch bark for a laptop and Onfim could be any boy in a modern classroom. The tools are different, but the motivations are the same: curiosity, friendship, creativity and the occasional need to escape a lesson with a well-timed doodle.
The essential ways of working with young people haven’t changed much since the year dot. Boys learn best when they’re engaged, when they feel safe to express themselves, and when they’re allowed a little room to be silly. And psychology backs this up.
According to psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg, boys in particular need five key things to succeed at school: a strong connection to at least one adult, a sense of belonging, a sense of mastery, a sense of independence and a sense of generosity
Carr-Gregg would say that they aren’t optional; they’re essential psychological ingredients for wellbeing and motivation.
- Connection: Boys thrive when they feel connected — to peers and to adults who care.
- Belonging: Feeling part of a group or community helps boys feel safe and valued. Classrooms that foster inclusion and respect build this.
- Mastery: Boys need opportunities to succeed and be recognised for their efforts.
- Independence: Giving boys some autonomy in how they learn boosts engagement. Let them choose projects, explore interests, and take ownership.
- Generosity: Helping others, sharing ideas, and contributing to the group builds empathy and purpose.
These principles align beautifully with broader psychological research.
So how do we support our young men in making the most of their talents?
- Celebrate mistakes: Mistakes are part of learning, and a growth mindset helps kids bounce back stronger.
- Encourage creativity: Whether it’s drawing knights or designing apps, creativity builds skills that last a lifetime.
- Support social connection: Collaborative learning taps into this natural drive and boosts engagement.
- Foster autonomy and mastery: Explore, choose and build competence in areas they care about.
As Term 3 commences, we should be mindful that no matter how much changes in the world, the human element remains the same. Knowledge and access to knowledge may be farmed out and outsourced to computer programs and electronic devices, helping us be more productive; but Transferable Skills, the soft human skills that have remained constant through the centuries, will be what will make the difference. Supporting our young men to connect and belong, as well as to find islands of competence and mastery by honing their skills, will lead them to live simply and simply make their difference in today’s world. I wish our Eddies families all the best for Term 3; here’s to an exciting 10 weeks ahead.
NAIDOC Week.
This week, we celebrated NAIDOC Week; a time to recognise and honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme this year, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy", encourages reflection and respect. Our young men engaged in a range of meaningful activities including art, music and cultural workshops. These experiences help deepen their understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and respect from our Eddies Men throughout the week. Thank you all who contributed to making NAIDOC Week a special event.
