Positive Futures News
What is the EDSC Positive Futures program?
Positive Education brings together the science of positive psychology with best-practice teaching.
The school’s journey with Positive Education began in 2012 with Positive Education focuses and values implemented across each year level and over time has evolved into the whole school approach launched in 2020.
Our Positive Futures program has some very clear goals:
- We want to improve student quality of life and their engagement with others, including with their teachers
- We seek to develop students in a more holistic way, with a stronger focus on wellbeing
There are six tenets of Positive Psychology that are embedded into our model:
Positive Health – Positive Self
Developing knowledge, understanding and skills to promote health and well – being.
Positive Relationships
Nurturing positive relationships based on respect.
Accomplishment
Generating hope and optimism through the accomplishment of personal and community goals
Positive Emotion
Building and experiencing positive emotion.
Meaning
Believing in serving something greater than ourselves.
Positive Engagement
Developing critical thinkers by promoting challenge, curiosity and creativity.
More resources and information can be found here:
https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/wellbeing-engagement-positive-futures
Positive Futures – Cohort Based For The Remainder Of Term 2
Due to a number of disruptions scheduled for Term 2 we will continue our Positive Futures groups in their Year level structure so students will get the most out of the curriculum and construct and deliver a group project at the end of the term.
Content
With Term 2 involving NAPLAN and Year 10/11 Exams our focus in the first few weeks is on stress and how we can manage this through sleep, diet, exercise and meditation. The remainder of the term will be devising a group project that the students will take ownership of. This is very exciting as we have been unable to run our projects over the last two years.
Week 1 Accomplishment and ANZAC Day
Students focused on their accomplishments from Term 1 and discussed areas where they could change their focus for Term 2 and perhaps change their subject learning goals based on Cycle 1 results.
Students were also shown videos or talked about the significance of ANZAC Day, which was followed up later on in the week with ANZAC Day assemblies.
Here are some student reflections on what ANZAC Day means to them.
“To me, ANZAC Day means a day dedicated to paying our respects to the soldiers who fought or have passed away in Gallipoli.”
“ANZAC Day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the better of future generations, and we are living how we are in the present thanks to them.”
“ANZAC Day means quite a bit to me, knowing that Australian soldiers died just for future generations to live a good life.”
“Remembering all the fallen soldiers of New Zealand and Australia and how they sacrificed their lives for their country. Also celebrating the lives of current/retired soldiers. These are inspirational people that inspire me to also maybe join in the future.”
“It is important to commemorate those lost in WW1. This is important because it allows the Australians of the present day to have a sense of belonging and understanding. I commemorate ANZAC Day by watching the ANZAC AFL game and taking a moment of silence (usually during the game).”
“On the day I make ANZAC biscuits and I also sometimes go to the Dawn Services.”
Week 2 Positive Health/Positive Self - Stress and Diet/Sleep
Students talked about what Stress looks and feels like and some strategies we can employ to cope with stress in our lives and how we can help our friends if they are stressed.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
Where: Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre
When: Saturday 21 May 2022
Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Cost: $100
The course equips adults with the skills to recognise and respond to an adolescent who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis situation. Using a practical, evidence based action plan, learn how to support an adolescent until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
Ideal for school staff, parents, sports coaches and youth workers.
Delivered by Mental Health First Aid Australia and proudly sponsored by the Victorian Government through VicHealth.
Contact www.parkorchards.org.au to enrol online, or call us on 9876 4381.
Positive Futures Book Of The Week
Release stress and anxiety naturally with this simple yet comprehensive nutrition guide that supports your mental health from Liana Werner-Gray, author of Cancer-Free with Food.
Eat your way to calm . . .
If you're feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed, you're not alone. The world may be in turmoil-but inside, we can feel unwavering peace. We can support our mental and physical health by avoiding anxiety-inducing ingredients and choosing foods and supplements that support our microbiome, address nutritional deficiencies, and balance our hormones.
Liana Werner-Gray, nutritionist and author of The Earth Diet and Cancer-Free with Food, offers this simple guide to all the scientifically backed, nutrient-rich foods and supplements you need to support your emotional wellness. She offers 100+ delicious gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free recipes that both nourish the body and support optimal brain function. With Liana's easy strategies based on nutritional neuroscience, you'll feel empowered to take control of your mental well-being.
Remember, life is meant to be enjoyed. Let your first step toward an anxiety-free life start with your next meal!
Rebecca James
Student Engagement and Connection Learning Specialist