Wellbeing

Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness - GEM

Throughout Term 1 and now into Term 2 we have been working with our students on the concept of GEM (Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness), a research based  strategy from the Resilience Project. The three key pillars of GEM are proven to cultivate positive emotions and are something we can practise on a daily basis. According to American psychologist Martin Seligman – founder of Positive Psychology, we can retrain our brains so that we feel happier on a day to day basis. The research is clear; the more positive emotion you experience, the more resilient you will be.

At St John’s this looks like our students taking some quiet time after one of the breaks where they reflect on their day. 

We ask them:

What are 3 things that worked well for me today?

What am I looking forward to about tomorrow?

What is something kind that I can do for someone else?

This is all done while students are practising their mindfulness strategies by listening to music, sketching, colouring and whatever else they are learning works for them. The whole purpose is to try and provide our amazing students with a positive mindset & strategies to use on the days when things don’t go to plan.

Please try practicing some GEM strategies at home with your child to build their resilience and self confidence.

Tracey Farrar

Wellbeng Leader