Why does paying attention to culture matter for Wellbeing? In this episode, Denise and Brenda discuss how families and schools can work together to build a resilient context for community members. Internal resources are only part of the equation for strengthening wellbeing and resilience. Brenda argues that we need to think about wellbeing in terms…
What can schools do to help staff and students engage with learning about wellbeing? Rhiannon McGee is charged with overseeing how wellbeing is supported throughout Geelong Grammar School and how it is taught to students from early years to high school. She explains the range of strategies they use to work with staff and students…
What can we do to help children and adolescents develop secure attachments? Nathan Wallis, long time child advocate, started as a young teacher who realised that “scared kids don’t learn”. He realised he had to act like a nurturer before he could be a teacher and retrained as a child therapist. Nathan knows social and…
How Restorative practices can contribute to school Wellbeing — with Greg Jansen In this interview, Greg Jansen and Denise discuss how restorative practice is an integral part of wellbeing – supporting relational connection. Greg’s longstanding history with schools means that he understands how long it takes to embed a restorative culture (listen to find…
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…