Resilience Project Update

Healthy, happy, active students...

That's what we are striving for at Pakenham Springs and I'm sure it is what each and every parent reading this wants for their child, not only this year but moving through the stages of youth, adolescence and into adulthood.

Pakenham Springs is proud to announce our partnership with The Resilience Project this year to help deliver practical, evidence-based, positive mental health strategies to build the resilience and happiness of our students, ourselves and the wider community.

Every Monday morning, students in all year levels will be explicitly learning about gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy.  Our approach is to work with the whole school community to highlight the importance of practising and implementing key strategies to build resilience and drive sustainable change.  

What are these things I hear you ask?  Check out the graphics below:

Students will also participate in check-ins; circle time; think, pair, share exercises; classroom GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) chats and Take It Home activities regularly to help practise strategies and revise key learning.

And at this stage your job is easy... simply ask your child about their learning.  As the program is implemented in the classroom, students will naturally take it home, ask questions and spark conversation.

Want to do even more?  Check out TRP@Home which has a hub of activities and ideas for you to use with your loved ones in day to day life: 

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent and Carer Program with you.  The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness.  You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kid's learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers. 

Key dates include:

Parent Webinar: March 10

Connected Parenting Workshop: April 28 (delivered face to face)

There is significant evidence that building the school-home connection is crucial to improving educational achievement and student wellbeing outcomes.  There is also a correlation between parent involvement and a variety of metrics including school attendance, social skills, behaviour and further education.

This program is such an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.  We really look forward to your ongoing involvement and support.

Stay tuned for updates, pictures and content throughout the coming weeks.

Regards

Scott McKinnon

Assistant Principal (Junior School)