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John
Murray is the headmaster of St Benedict's Catholic High School in
Cheltenham.
But
how does a 43-year-old headmaster relate to the teenage kids that
he teaches today? Well it's easy.... he used to be one!
John
said: "I
became a teenager in 1973 and left that happy time behind in 1979".
But
what was life really like for a teenager during the 70s?
According
to John: "The 70s were a fantastic time, especially all the
great music. It was Slade, The Sweet and David Bowie at his very
best. Then in 1976 the big music revolution happened and punk rock
arrived.
"I
wasn't really into the heavy stuff but I did like The Clash, Elvis
Costello and Tom Robinson," said John.
Cum
on feel the noize!
Like
any teenager John enjoyed loud guitar music, a potential problem
for parents and teenagers of any era. But he believes music actually
aided communications with his parents.
Music was actually a talking point for my parents and I because
I really enjoyed Irish folk music which my parents were also
into.  |
| John
Murray |
"Music
wasn't too much of a problem for my parents because I had my own
guitar and would just lock myself away in my bedroom and play.
"Music
was actually a talking point for my parents because I really enjoyed
Irish folk music which my parents were also into."
The
great divide
John
believes there is a great divide between parents and teenagers,
one that only narrows when people become parents themselves.
He
said: "The
thing I found difficult to believe as a teenager and am convinced
of now is that parents and teenagers live on totally different planets.
"I
was amazed how little my parents knew about life when I was a teenager,
but now that I'm a parent myself with teens of my own, it's amazing
how much the other way round it is.
"Being
a parent myself has given me sympathy for both parents and teenagers.
Just like every single adult, kids today go through stages finding
it difficult to express themselves, they're full of hormones, angst
and worry.
Teenage
pressures
John
is now a father to teenager daughters and believes teenagers have
more pressures inflicted on them in today's society.
 |
| John
Murray: "The 70s were a fantastic time, especially all
the great music. It was Slade, The Sweet and David Bowie at
his very best." |
"Kids
today are under huge amounts of pressure to succeed. When it comes
to youngsters doing A-levels, it can be a make or break time because
it's so competitive to get the correct grades for uni, so they have
greater pressures and expectations that I ever did.
"Teenager
in 2003 have it harder than those in 1973, and that's not because
it was a more innocent age in the 70s, it's just more difficult
for them because more is expected of them academically.
"They
also have more responsibility forced on to them. Kids who live as
part of one parent families can have added responsibilities because
they have to help with siblings if the parent is out at work".
"There
are also pressures from the media, in terms of image and what kids
should have today, which is more intense than it was when I was
a teenager".
Bullying
Another
pressures many teenagers have to deal with is bullying, and John
has had first hand experience.
"I
was once roughed up by some older lads, which made me very wary
of large groups of lads in the future. If I ever saw a group of
lads on the street I would automatically cross the road. I did this
until the day I qualified as a teacher when I had to remind myself
I was in my 20s, a grown up and I could tell boys in the school
ground to move if they were misbehaving.
What I'd say to anyone being bullied today is to talk about
it. If you don't tell somebody the bullying will carry on.
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| John
Murray |
"What
I'd say to anyone being bullied today is to talk about it. If you
don't tell somebody the bullying will carry on. So whether it's
your best friend, a teacher, or your mum or dad, get it out into
the open. Once you've spoken about it, you become bigger than the
people who are bulling you".
Oh
happy days
So
having been a teenager in the era of disco, glam rock, Evil Knieval
and the Wombles what are John's fondest memories of his teenage
years?
"The
best thing I remember from that period was that I really got to
know my dad. From the early 70s until the time I went away to university
I don't think we missed a home match at Roker Park watching Sunderland
together. It was something we did together which was fantastic".
Advice
from the head
As
a parent of teenagers, and having been a teenager himself, John
has two pieces of advice for teenagers today.
He
said: "Make sure you have good friends who you can talk to
because it's really important that you can share any little difficulties
you get into. But you have to choose well and make sure you don't
have friends who take you off down the wrong road.
"Also
despite all the distractions try and stay focussed because you need
to get the schooling done, and get the best grades you can, so you
can get the best opportunities later on".
.............................................
If
you would like to comment on this or any other story in this section
then get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
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Sometimes it's hard to be a teenager. 
