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# Harnessing the Power of Yet
- URL: https://goodoil.news/harnessing-the-power-of-yet/
- Published: 2023-06-18T22:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2023-06-18T00:16:30.000Z
- Author: Guest Post
- Tags: Culture, Education, General, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-16 22:22

**Alwyn Poole**

*Alwyn Poole founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in-person private school for Years 11–13\. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for Years 1–13.*

[alwynpoole.substack.com](https://alwynpoole.substack.com/p/the-power-of-yet?utm%5Fsource=profile&utm%5Fmedium=reader2)

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Most adults and many educators still operate in a fixed construct to do with ability, intelligence and “talent”. It has been proven over and over again that they are wrong – and indeed, to hold such a view when you are in a position of influence, can cause great harm through smashing aspiration and risk taking in young people.

This can be through seemingly trite comments:

- They don’t have a “maths brain”.
- Reading is just not their thing.
- They don’t have a musical bone in their body.

In my teaching and at the schools I have founded and lead, the students are banned from saying “I am no good at … (math, reading, music, drama, sport, etc). The only way they can use those five words is if they add “YET”.

With a good explanation behind it – that single word changes the outlook of so many children, their families and also all teachers who buy into it.

I personally – am no good at drumming … YET! But I know that I can be and will practice this afternoon.

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