MindMatters State News Australian Capital Territory Hello from the ACT Project Office for MindMatters - Cay Merritt
A huge learning curve over the last two months has left my head swimming. As I grapple with all that the Project Officer position involves, one of the highlights is meeting teachers who are committed to making positive changes in their schools to facilitate better mental health for not only students but also staff. Having been a teacher, I know that there is a lot to juggle and often staff are time poor. The understanding that using a mental health framework will, down the track, ensure better outcomes for the students, staff and school spurs on the core teams. It has been wonderful observing the interactions, discussions and planning that has gone on in different Professional Learning facilitated by expert trainers from the MindMatters National Team. Next term, I look forward to being able to move from observer to co-facilitator.
From the 24th of June until the 24th of July I will be away in Haiti working in a different capacity. As Project Manager and Advocate for the Good Samaritan Children's Home in north Haiti, I will be liaising with different churches, charity groups and individuals who may be interested in supporting the home. With a small team from around the globe we will also be making bunk beds for the 24 children who live at the Home and fencing a small block of land that they have been given. If you would like further information feel free to check out www.maxncay.com
As I will be away for the last infill weeks of Term Two, it would be appreciated if you could get your registration in for the MindMatters Wellbeing Dance and Drama Festival and the corresponding YEP workshops asap. Remember this is open to any school and is a great opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues as well as the pathways to seeking help. The theme this year is "Be the light".
Recent Training We have had a variety of schools participating at different levels of Training. Although Lyneham High has only recently received their funding grant, they have been very involved and keen to get processes in motion. They participated in Level 2 training and it was inspiring to see the cohesiveness of their core team and focus on a couple of SMART outcomes. I look forward to visiting them in Term 3 to see their progress.
Teachers from Trinity School, Black Mountain School and Hawker College recently participated in the Staff Matters Workshop. Often teachers will go out of their way to help their students. It is good for teachers to stop, take stock and look at their own & other's mental health. There was lots of laughter and also times of enlightenment as we bubbled through the workshop with a view to planning a whole site approach to mental health.
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Funding
The ACT Government continues its commitment to mental health education for teachers. The Professional Learning will be provided through the well established and research based MindMatters framework. Funding to support schools in all sectors (DET, Catholic Education and Independent) to participate will be available through an expression of interest. If your school would like more information about the funding grant please contact cay.merritt@act.gov.au
Wellbeing Expo - Marist CollegeOn the 13th of May Marist College held a Wellbeing Expo for students. Over 40 different workshops were on offer and the boys had a plethora of activities to choose from such as cartooning, boomerang throwing, model plane making, singing for fun, hip hop dancing, meditation, a barista's course to make a decent coffee etc. The theme for the day was on "Body, Mind and Spirit". The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was a privilege to wander around to different activities. Of course, no day would be complete without food and the sumptuous flavours of Mexican, Thai, Indian, Spanish and Italian food wafted throughout the College teasing my tastebuds.
MindMatters Wellbeing Festival of Dance and DramaDon't miss this golden opportunity to enrol your school in this life changing event. Schools who have been involved in the past keep coming back because they know the depth at which such a production speaks to the hearts of students. Topics such as supporting a friend through depression; stigma through the ages etc have been studied in the past and this gives students a real insight and greater understanding of mental health as well as the how and where to seek help when needed.
In order to participate in the Festival of Dance and Drama, you (a teacher) and 2 students must participate in the YEP workshop that is being held on 27 & 28 July. Click on this link to enrol:
http://www.mindmatters.edu.au/professional_development/professional_development_calendar/professional_development_calendar.html
Upcoming Professional Development Australian Capital Territory August
To register online please Click here
MindMatters Level One Introductory Workshop Level One Workshops provide an introduction to the MindMatters resource kit and the concept of a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This practical hands-on workshop provides background information and classroom ideas around the following topics: Bullying and Harassment, Resilience, Understanding Mental Health, CommunityMatters, Change: Loss and Grief, and Teaching and Learning.
MindMatters Level Two Planning Workshop Level Two Planning Workshops are directed at school core teams with experience of MindMatters. The core team develops a school action plan with a view to measuring progress in mental health and wellbeing. These workshops are available to school community core teams of four or more people - including a member of executive leadership. Preferably some of the team have attended Level One, the school is familiar with MindMatters and uses the resource. Workshop topics include: leadership, student diversity, staff mental health and wellbeing, protective and risk factors, curriculum mapping, staff professional development, and communication.
Leadership (1 day) - for school leaders and aspiring leaders Consider your leadership of mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention within the school through both a personal and a systems approach.
Staff Matters (2 days) - for all school staff A two-day module about supporting staff wellbeing within schools using social and emotional learning and engaging staff in mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention for students.
Student Empowerment (1 day) - for staff and students An overview about maximising the role of students in leading a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing (this also connects with a series of student-led youth empowerment sessions).
Communities do Matter (1 day) - as a part of a series ofseminars/workshops An overview of the positive connections schools can make with culture and community using the MindMatters community partnership process. Follow-up workshops and seminars are available for community members. Students Experiencing High Support Needs in Mental Health (2 days) - for school counsellors, school supportstaff and health workers A two-day session recognising the pivotal role of school support staff in leading, managing and working with others for school wide mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention for students with high support needs and howthis can be supported.
The Whole Student Approach (1day) - forall school staff including year/house leaders The module develops our understanding of howschools can work with students as individuals and provide successful experiences by recognising the richness they bring with them to a schoolsetting.
Teaching and Learning for Engagement (1 or 2 days) - for all school staff A one or two-day modulereflecting on the needs of young people, the importance and nature of the pedagogies that engage them and the educational and mental health connections.
Measuring our Progress (1 day) - for school staff managing data The session aims to expand our understanding of how to collect and analyse school mental health and wellbeing data to measure the effectiveness of a whole school approach.
Transitions (1 day) - for school staff managing transitions The session examines the broad concept oftransition within a school setting from a personal and professional perspective and explores the strategies that support students (and staff) through change. To register online please Click here | 
