Positive Education Wellbeing at the heart of Education

Positive Education Wellbeing at the heart of Education. Miss Sienna BREEN

Why I have chosen this topic to research – Passionate about wellbeing – Offers a variety of teaching strategies with an aim to enhance whole- person happiness/ wellbeing – Opportunity to track wellbeing of students, staff and parents through scientifically validated measures – Equip students with life coping skills

Why I have chosen this topic to research – Appreciate one’s character strengths & utilise them in order to build confidence and competence in individuals – Increase positive emotions within our students and encourage them to engage their unique strengths and abilities for both personal and community gains – Positive psychology suggests that finding happiness will lead to a flourishing life of fulfilment & success

What is Positive Education? – A relatively new branch of psychology that conducts scientific inquiry into the factors that help individuals, communities and organisations ‘thrive’ or ‘flourish’ by building on their strengths and virtues (Peterson, 2008). – It is a worldwide movement, with many schools in Australia now focusing on student wellbeing

What is Positive Education? – Strengths based approach that focuses on promoting the positive states of hope, optimism, empathy, courage and gratitude so as to allow us to better handle the negative states of anxiety, insecurity, addiction, violence and sadness (depression)

What is Positive Education? Positive Education assists all aspects of our life; creativity, academic, socially and emotionally. Studies suggest that explicit positive psychology programs can have the following impacts; – Academic performance (critical thinking) – Better physical health (sleep patterns) – Enhances positive emotions and navigates painful ones (anxiety, depression) – Cultivates healthy personal and professional relationships – Discover a higher purpose

Isn’t it all just happy pills? – Positive Psychology does not mean that you need to be happy 100% of the time. Instead, it studies the positive processes that we can use during the negative and challenging times that we all face at some point. – Positive Psychology is about building our strengths so that we can manage our sadness & weaknesses.

Unpacking the Geelong Grammar School model for Positive Education

Learn it - Training courses to kindle curiosity - Exploring the elements of personal wellbeing - Discovering the science of positive psychology Embed it - Congruence between what is being verbalised and what is being practiced - Wellbeing is considered & discussed in each element of the school’s co – curriculum Live it - Harnessing one’s character strengths in difficult situations - Nurturing a healthy lifestyle - Practicing habits of mindfulness Teach it - Fostering growth mindsets - Focusing on effective feedback - Promoting a sense of gratitude

Positive Education at Port Hedland Primary School – WORK IN YEAR GROUPS – Worksheet on desks

Teaching Strategies to support the development of Positive Education – You. Tube of the day – inspiring clip – teacher/ student chooses – Each student has personal diary/ journal to keep record of challenges, concerns & celebrations – Introduce/ concentrate on 2 character strengths per term – Wall of happiness (school ground/ classroom)

Useful resources to support Positive Education at PHPS – TED TALKS – APPS – Suggested Reading/s – The VIA Survey (learn your character strengths)

References – Geelong Grammar School – Positive Education