12 Days of Positivity – How to express gratitude even during challenging times
There is not a single human being on planet earth who doesn’t question themselves sometimes. It’s normal to have doubts. But negative thoughts can be like a dark cloud casting a shadow over our lives. They can weigh us down, hinder our progress, and even impact our wellbeing. However, with the right strategies and a […]
How to support student wellbeing during NAPLAN
Are we still stressing about NAPLAN scores? When NAPLAN was introduced, much like the SAT and innumerable other standardised assessments around the world, there was optimism that the results could be used to help identify what worked and what didn’t. The underlying hypothesis was that if we know how students are faring then we can […]
Creating the space for wellbeing in schools
Last week, I had the absolute privilege to present a keynote to a wonderful group of middle leaders and school executives. As part of the day, I was following on from emeritus professor Dylan Wiliam, who needs no further introduction. Professor Wiliam spoke clearly and articulately (unsurprisingly) about concepts from his work on formative assessment […]
The power of strengthening family-school partnerships: A united approach to wellbeing.
There is a significant amount of research that suggests family-school partnerships have positive impacts on academic achievement (Alton-Lee, 2003; Epstein, 2001; Pomerantz & Moorman, 2010). Research reviewing different forms of family-school partnerships demonstrate the biggest impact on student learning comes from parent-teacher intervention programs with an effect size of 1.81 (Robinson, Hohepa, & Lloyd, 2009). […]
Importance of empowering student voice: From connected classrooms to thriving future leaders
In the dynamic realm of education, one essential truth shines through: empowering student voice lies at the heart of building resilient and thriving school communities. As we embark on this journey of empowerment, let’s explore the myriad of ways in which prioritising student voice transforms the educational landscape and shapes the future of our young […]
Understanding Emotions: The Key to Consistent Attendance and Student Engagement
Emotions are powerful drivers of our actions, influencing every aspect of our lives, including our attendance and engagement at school or work. At times, we may not realise the extent to which our emotions shape our behaviours, but by understanding their role, we can gain valuable insights into our motivations and actions. In this blog […]
Fostering Emotional Regulation: A Crucial Skill for Lifelong Success
In the fast-paced world of education, where academic excellence often takes centre stage, the importance of emotional intelligence can sometimes be overlooked. However, if schools are truly aiming to equip students with the skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom, then teaching strategies for emotional awareness and regulation must be a top priority. Emotional […]
10 Tips for Teacher Self Care: Modelling Wellness for Future Generations
In the hustle and bustle of the teaching profession, educators often find themselves prioritising the wellbeing of their students above their own. However, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and ultimately impact the quality of education provided. Moreover, teachers serve as role models for their students, and by practicing self-care, they can […]
Differentiating wellbeing support in schools: What can we do?
Differentiating wellbeing support: To differentiate effectively there are 3 points for us to evaluate. I really don’t like these medical terms to describe these points. While I acknowledge they can be illustrative and useful for conveying purpose, they infer that a student requiring differentiation has a problem that needs curing. This is absolutely not consistent with […]
Nurturing emotional regulation: What role does the teacher play?
I’m not sure if this set of rules for teachers is real or not, it is funny though. It is often attributed to an 1872 posting in Monroe County, Iowa. If it is real, I wonder if the teachers who taught under these rules had the time in between cleaning chimneys and bringing a scuttle […]