| | MindMatters State News South Australia
Riverland Community Connect to Unlock Wellbeing
Working in collaboration with community stakeholders, MindMatters and KidsMatter joined forces to present an inaugural regional conference entitled, Unlocking Wellbeing. The one day event attracted approximately 100 delegates from schools and agencies across the Murray Mallee region and provided delegates with an array of sessions designed to build understanding of ways to strengthen mental health and wellbeing in schools and community.
(In this photo, Zoe Mimidas, Cathy Venning, Ashlee Davies, Lana Jankowiak and Annette Bulling)
Read more Presentations started with Alysha Herrmann, a local emerging young artist, director and performer, who shared her journey to adulthood, examining the importance of finding a voice and building resilience and belonging. Lee Duhring, a member of the DECS Child and Student Wellbeing Team, followed explaining wellbeing from the neuro-biological perspective and spoke of the importance of arts and physical activity to nurture developing brains. Local and state based health and support service providers offered sessions informing delegates of available services for students with specific needs and outlined current research in sexual and mental health. Conference participants selected from a menu of sessions covering leadership and staff wellbeing, strength-based practice and student empowerment. MindMatters Youth Empowerment Mentor, Zoe Mimidas, facilitated a workshop, describing her journey from high school youth leader to graduating teacher, mentor and conference presenter. A highlight of the day was a musical performance by singers Aimee and Annika from the Tutti Ensemble, whose poignant, original songs offered insights into the experiences, strengths and talents of young South Australians living with a disability. The conference was closed by local school principal, Mary Shannon, who re-emphasized the importance of unlocking student wellbeing to enable students to discover learning and identify personal strengths and goals.
Regional communities interested in discussing the possibility of working in collaboration with MindMatters and Kidsmatter to deliver a wellbeing conference in 2012 should contact Annette Bulling on 8245 9836 or email Annette.bulling@pa.edu.au
Safe Schools Symposium: Responding to Homophobic Bullying
On the eve of IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia - 17th May, 2011) 100 counsellors and wellbeing staff from primary and high schools met for the Safe Schools Symposium: Responding to Homophobic Bullying. Hosted by DECS, Child and Student Wellbeing, the day was opened by The Hon. Ian Hunter MLC and featured presentations from SHINE, Second Story and MindMatters.
Read moreA powerful interactive performance by Speak Out: ActNow Theatre for Social Change demonstrated the effects of homophobic bullying and abuse in secondary school students and allowed the audience to explore strategies of ways to intervene. The play was followed by a panel of young people who shared their experiences and insights in relation to homophobia and heterosexism in Australian schools and the impact on mental health and wellbeing. The MindMatters Implementation Model and professional development program provides a framework and tools for schools wishing to address homophobic bullying using the MindMatters Whole School Approach. If you would like to discuss how this could work at your school contact Annette Bulling on 8245 9836 or email Annette.bulling@pa.edu.au
Communities Matter for Positive Youth Development
Research shows that strong affiliations with community support students to develop a positive sense of cultural identity and heritage and provide protective factors that can increase the resilience of students.
MindMatters has recently provided professional learning for Christian Pastoral Support (CPS) Workers as part of the Certificate IV in youth work offered by the Schools Ministry Group (SMG) Training Services. 25 CPS workers from primary and secondary schools across the state completed the Communities do Matter Focus Module, discussing ideas for engaging the community in school life.
At the beginning of June, Port Lincoln schools and community agencies worked in collaboration to complete the Communities do Matter module. Promoted by ICAN Program Manager, Margie Fahy, as part of the youth development strategy, schools and communities had the opportunity to examine effective community partnerships from different perspectives and discuss strategies for improving communication and connection with schools.
Nazareth Catholic College on the Road to Recognition
After completing the MindMatters Level Two Planning Workshop in term 1, Nazareth College have forged ahead with a range of initiatives designed to increase the understanding of the school community of mental health and wellbeing. A key component of the plan is providing opportunities to extend leadership and participation of young people at the school. Student leaders are working closely with staff to support the successful delivery of the MindMatters sessions that are a component of the pastoral care program. Parent information sessions have been conducted and community partnerships strengthened.
Read more The strength of the student voice at the school has been recognized by SAPOL who have formed a partnership with the school to host an event for Drug Week with the theme, Empowering the Mind. Parents and community members are invited to attend this forum where students will share views on how a deeper understanding of social and emotional learning has empowered them to build self confidence and create a more cohesive community at school. The event will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 21st June at Nazareth Catholic College, Flinders Park.
Mindmatters Recognition Process Many
schools work tirelessly to promote mental health and wellbeing at their
sites. The MindMatters recognition process provides a means for this
work to be acknowledged and celebrated by a national audience.
Engagement in the recognition process is supported by the MindMatters
team who guide core teams from schools to assess their achievements and
capacity for growth, enabling them to work towards outcomes that
reflect the school culture and direction. If you are interested in
finding out how your work in promoting mental health and wellbeing can
be recognized on the national stage, please contact me to discuss
available opportunities - call 8245 9836 or email Annette.bulling@pa.edu.auhttp://www.mindmatters.edu.au/whole_school_approach/mindmatters_recognition_and_overview.html
Upcoming Professional Development South Australia
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.
The workshop topics include: leadership, student diversity, staff mental health and wellbeing, protective and risk factors, curriculum mapping, staff professional development, and communication.
The Level Two process is based on a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing with schools using the MindMatters Implementation Model, the MindMatters Planning Cycle and other planning tools. Schools that use the process and can demonstrate positive change will be offered recognition as a MindMatters school. Topics introduced in the Level Two Planning Workshop are extended through a range of Focus Modules.
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 of seminars/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 support staff 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 how this can be supported.
The Whole Student Approach (1day) - for all school staff including year/house leaders The module develops our understanding of how schools can work with students as individuals and provide successful experiences by recognising the richness they bring with them to a school setting.
Teaching and Learning for Engagement (1 or 2 days) - for all school staff A one or two-day module reflecting 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 of transition within a school setting from apersonal and professional perspective and explores the strategies that support students (and staff) through change
To Register Online Click Here
|  | | |  For further information contact Did You Know? MindMatters is the most used mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention resource for secondary schools in Australia. |
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