Why R U OK? Day Should Matter In Your School Community
“Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” – Brené Brown I think this statement is a perfect way to help us understand the ideas behind R U OK? DAY which happens every year on September 12th. It was created as a way to bring awareness and drive conversations around mental illness and suicide […]
3 Strategies To Improve Your Child’s Mental Health & Wellbeing
It’s almost October – a month which holds an extremely significant day in the global calendar. The WHO recognises the 10th day of the month as World Mental Health Day. In Australia, this is an active, month-long campaign created by Wayahead, to combat the ever-present issues facing Australians young and old today. One in fourteen young Australians (6.9%) aged […]
7 Practical Tips for More Resilient Children
Resilience is becoming increasingly talked about as it becomes clearer that our kids are having difficulties ‘coping’ with everyday life and the mental health statistics are spiralling dangerously upwards. Improving children’s resilience is an effective way to help them manage life’s inevitable peaks and troughs, keeping them mentally well and able to thrive in their lives. What […]
Why Self Management apps are the key to better teacher wellbeing
With mental illness a huge problem in Australia – the Australian government spent $9 billion on mental health in 2015-16, and one in five Australians aged 16-85 experience mental illness each year — getting treatment right is crucial. SMH, 2019 And research has found that half of Australian teachers suffer from anxiety and nearly one-fifth are depressed. It is clear we […]
Dr. Dan Siegels 4 S’s of attachment – How they can help us in the classroom
Research shows that children benefit from multiple healthy attachments. And those they form with educators, who shape our next generation by leading their learning and development, are crucially important. We know that the quality of teacher–child relationships has a considerable impact on academic successes, as well as cognitive, affective and emotional growth and also influences children’s social adjustment in school, especially in the primary school years (Hamre & […]
5 Crucial Lessons I Learned as a Leader
I work across a few environments: when I’m not standing in front of educators or parents talking about wellbeing, I’m teaching the neuroscience of change in organisations, or helping facilitate week-long workshops in neuroscience and meditation, leading a group of 80 people within a wider group of up to 2000 participants. And, most importantly, parenting […]
3 Strategies For Creating a Mindfulness Space in Your School
Mindfulness and meditation are unquestionably moving away from being confined to the fringes of society across the popular and corporate psyche. With a growing number of companies realising the benefits of their employee’s using mindful practice and meditation in relation to increased productivity, improved energy levels and better overall personal wellbeing. From a wide range […]
The Importance of Developing a Sense of Belonging
Anybody who knows me knows how much I like to talk about belonging, particularly when it comes to our children’s mental health. A sense of belonging is crucial to our life satisfaction, happiness, mental and physical health and even longevity. It gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. Research has shown that loss of […]
7 Steps to Creating an Optimal Learning Environment for Students
The classroom environment has a major impact on the way students of all ages learn. Although every pupil learns in an entirely independent way, by initially setting boundaries and standards, creating a safe and inclusive environment and being consistent in the delivery of curricula, assessment and reflection, a teacher can provide an optimal learning environment. […]
Thriving Amidst the Current Chaos
How are you? Bush fires, flooding and now corona virus. What a year its been – and its only just April! Its perfectly okay if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed out right now! So really, How are you? And how are your kids? This is a question I’ve been asking parents, and teachers, […]