From the Executive

Character Strength Spotting

During this period of rapid change, Covid 19 has highlighted, more than ever, the importance of maintaining mental fitness. Change brings uncertainty. We are mindful of those experiencing financial hardship, a sense of isolation from family, loneliness, the complexities of juggling work with the demands of  young children or even an unsafe home.  These circumstances can be detrimental to one’s mental health. It is no different for our staff at Mazenod. Current changes impact them too. One way of supporting staff during lockdown, was to encourage them to practise using their Character Strengths, much like our students in recent years. To achieve this, the Staff Wellbeing Committee created a Strengths-Spotting Challenge.

The Strengths-Based approach to wellbeing was founded on scientific research. In December 2019, Positive Psychologist, Professor Lea Waters addressed staff on the benefits of focusing on children’s strengths rather than trying to correct their weaknesses. She has seen how this approach enhances their self-esteem to build resilience, optimism and achievement. According to the VIA Institute on Character Strengths:

‘When you discover your greatest strengths, you learn to use them to handle stress and life challenges, become happier, and develop relationships with those who matter most to you’.

With direction from the College Counsellors, the Staff Wellbeing Committee felt it necessary for staff and students to share the same approach to wellbeing with a common language and framework. Hence, the SEARCH framework, beginning with a Strength-Based approach.

The Staff Strength Spotting Challenge required them to upload photos or videos demonstrating their use of Character Strengths. For example, Mr De Fanti, showed his Creativity, Humour and Bravery as Cowboy Small. Mr Muling demonstrated his Perseverance, mastering his backyard golf drives. Ms Comerford demonstrated Zest on a ‘Saturday night in’, Mr Akkermans showed Kindness by letting his son keep the junk sourced on their walks during the hard rubbish collection and Mr Steer felt he needed to work on his Perseverance by using a hammer drill to remove his 1980s slate flooring. Not only did this activity encourage staff to practise their own strengths, it also gave them insight and appreciation of the strengths of their colleagues.

Our students are encouraged to do likewise. Year 8 Co-ordinator, Mr Rowland has been conducting ‘character strengths conversations’ for several years. Ask your son to articulate his top Character Strengths. If he can’t remember, why not take the VIA Institute survey again together? In doing so, you’ll be able to identify your own character strengths and encourage your son to use his more frequently. For further details, read Dr Lea Water’s book ‘The Strength Switch: How the New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Teen to Flourish’. 

When staff, students and parents unite to speak the same common language for wellbeing, everyone benefits. The current circumstances present the ideal time to explore this topic further.

Mrs Joanne Noone

Dean of Staff Welfare, Appraisal and Mentoring