Category Archives: Podcast

How do we battle boredom in the classroom? Research has shown one in four Danish students were very bored often or most of the time in school. Mette Ledertoug and Nanna Paarup are challenging this status quo, asking: ‘How can we expect to create lifelong learners if we turn so many students off learning in…

How can schools do effective wellbeing on a shoestring? In this interview, Clare and Denise discuss why and how her school adopted a culture of care to address mental health issues. Prevention was her initial motivation. Starting 5 years ago, Clare connected with educators and researchers from around the world to learn more about the…

Q: How can leaders embed sustainable wellbeing change? In this interview, Denise talks to Charlie Scudamore, a visionary educator and Vice Principal at Geelong Grammar School who has been leading wellbeing in his community for over 10 years.  Charlie reveals how positive psychology was introduced at his school and the lasting benefits of creating a…

Q: How can schools reflect the bicultural nature of Aotearoa? In this interview, Nathan and Denise discuss strategies, ideas and ways to help Māori students and staff thrive in schools. The Treaty of Waitangi guarantees participation, protection and partnership for Māori in all important areas of life. Nathan’s work is committed to helping schools build…

What’s right with people? In this interview, Adrienne and Denise discuss strengths – defined as things we do well and enjoy doing. Engagement, performance, collaboration and relationships are all positively influenced by strengths. Humans are better at recognising threat than reward which is why we need to practice spotting strengths in ourselves and others. Denise…

How do different schools address wellbeing? In this interview, Clive and Denise discuss harnessing ‘positive deviance’ in schools to move towards Flourishing. Clive explains why it’s important to acknowledge teachers who are already doing a lot to grow student wellbeing, and to help staff understand the research around wellbeing and resilience. Engaging staff and students…

How will your school encourage educators to explore and invest in their own wellbeing? In this interview (which follows Stephen’s earlier interview Exploring Different Wellbeing Models), Stephen and Denise discuss the use of Inquiry and Design Thinking as tools to help explore and implement wellbeing in a school setting, specifically for staff. Learn how creative…

Why does educator wellbeing matter for students? In this interview, Stephen and Denise discuss his staff’s wellbeing journey where they explored the underpinnings of wellbeing and adapting wellbeing models to their school context. Rāroa School wanted a model that was easily understood by the community and reflected the school’s values. Learn how Rāroa gave their…

In this interview, Denise and Adrienne discuss the Mental Fitness Program Adrienne designed and taught to Year 10 boys in Dunedin, NZ. The language of mental fitness is used to appeal to teenage boys and echoes the familiar language of physical fitness. Students found MenFit a practical, collaborative and fun course which helped improve their…