Leadership @ Monty

The Resilience Project

Monty staff were treated to a PD session after school on Monday 4th March by Hugh from The Resilience Project. We met Hugh at Monty 4 years ago and it was then that we began to introduce initiatives such as mindfulness and gratitude. These initiatives are still an essential part of each of our classrooms. Listening to Hugh again, was as insightful and as inspiring as 4 years ago! Our staff profile has changed considerably in that time, so were thrilled to welcome him back. The strong message I was reminded of and took away from the staff session with Hugh:

Gratitude. Empathy. Mindfulness.

If we practice these three things with frequency,  we are able to ‘bounce back’ faster and enhance our resilience skills. 

‘Gratitude’ is paying attention to what you do have and being thankful. ‘Empathy’ is showing kindness, feeling what someone else feels. And ‘mindfulness’ is the ability to be calm and present in the moment.

As adults, we need to model these positive behaviours of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Something else highlighted was the importance of ‘disconnecting to reconnect’ – meaning that we must try to disconnect from things that take up so much head space such as the ‘online world,’ so that we can be physically and mentally present in the moment. It is also important to care for ourselves, so that we are able to care for others. 

Today, the students were fortunate to share a session with Hugh. The main message I am hearing around our school is, “Dis! Dis! And Dis!”. Yes, I have purposefully written ‘dis’! The students have been encouraged to be mindful of what they have, as opposed to what they don’t have! Therefore, they are grateful for ‘dis’, ‘dis’ and ‘dis’! Ask your child to give you more information about 'dis!

The Resilience Project curriculum is being implemented in our classrooms and across our school community. It is really important to continue the home/school partnership to increase this awareness within our students. Please pencil the following date in your diaries – you won’t want to miss it!

Enjoy the rest of the week.  Janene and Kristie