Positive Education

So you may have heard through discussions with your son or daughter, or read it on the website or through a conversation with a parent that we as a College pride ourselves on looking after the wellbeing of all our students.  We regard ourselves as a school that explores the ideas and influences around positive psychology through promoting Positive Education, not just in our lessons but through our day to day interactions.  

A few years ago we as a community recognised that there has been a movement growing in response to the need of shifting our thinking from HOW people survive to HOW they can truly flourish in life. Positive Education has been growing in its development and application in schools, allowing us as a College community to provide an environment that will educate the whole child.

At Mount Carmel College we believe that the wellbeing of all students is paramount in allowing all our students to achieve both academic and personal success.  It is important to understand that we need to provide the skill set for all our students to be the very best they can be and to flourish.  And one of the best ways we can start to flourish is by exploring the character strength of Gratitude. 

A Focus on Gratitude

One of the key ways to grow happiness and a sense of wellbeing is to practice gratitude. We all love to receive a thank you note or text message but how often do we offer a word of gratefulness over silence or even criticism? It seems our natural instinct is to focus on the gaps.  It is the old glass half full, but actually the glass is full to the brim and overflowing.

The carefully crafted film by Louis Schwatrzberg on gratitude is a great start for any of us in recognising the important elements around being grateful for what we have. 

Another fabulous clip is through the Soul Pancake company which creates content that is educational, entertaining but full of meaning.  It allows the viewer to see how being grateful for an action or a person creates a sense of happiness and positive wellbeing.

If watching a video is not how you want to explore the ‘Art of Gratitude’ then further reading on the benefits of gratitude can be read here.

SchoolTV

SchoolTV is an online resource designed that we offer our College community to inform, educate and empower parents, carers and staff about some of the challenges around raising safe, happy and resilient young people. 

The features of SchoolTV include video based content and strategies on the growing issues and pressures faced by Australia youth. Topics covered include starting at a new school, digital reputation, cyberbullying, youth anxiety and self harm. Some of Australia’s leading academics, specialists and authorities in youth health and wellbeing contribute to SchoolTV, with the focus topic changing on a  monthly basis.

Click here to be taken to the SchoolTV page on the College website.

Melanie Sluyters 

Director of Positive Education