The Early Warning Signs of Student Disengagement Most Schools Miss
By the time attendance becomes a problem, it usually isn’t a new one. A student who has stopped coming to school regularly didn’t wake up one day and disengage. Something was usually shifting for weeks, sometimes months, before it showed up on a roll. That’s the challenge with attendance data. It’s accurate, but it’s late. […]
Student Voice: The Evidence, the Myths and When It Becomes a Protective Factor
Schools are surrounded by data: attendance, behaviour, academic results, referrals and assessments. Most of it tells us what has already happened. The harder question, and often the one that determines what a school does next, is why. During a recent Life Skills GO webinar, Founder and CEO Nikki Bonus asked: “How do we really see […]
It’s Term 3. Stop Waiting for Your Life to Begin.
A reflection on educator wellbeing, presence, and the quiet cost of postponing our own lives. “Just make it to the holidays.” If you’re an educator, chances are you’ve had that conversation with yourself. I’ve certainly had it. After more than 25 years working alongside teachers, school leaders and education systems, I’ve come to realise that […]
Outlook – The Third Pillar of Wellbeing
This week we focus on the third pillar of wellbeing: outlook. Do you feel appreciative and gratified? Or are you more of a dissatisfied cynic? Do you see the good in others, or only how they are not up to your standards? According to Dr. Rick Hanson, author of Hardwiring Happiness, our brain is like Teflon […]
Why Mindfulness and Wellbeing in the School Curriculum is a Sure-Fire Way to Ensure Student Success
Mindfulness is the state of being aware and present, improving focus and concentration, and thus enhancing wellbeing. The Australian Curriculum has responded to demands to promote wellbeing in schools for healthier, more mindful children and this is an excellent way to nurture students who will be resilient, focused, self-aware individuals. While teachers have always embedded […]
Generosity: The Fourth Pillar of Wellbeing
Generosity is one of the easiest ways to develop your wellbeing and benefit your community. Sometimes, with just one generous thought or action, we can feel uplifted. Additionally, by making choices that benefit others instead of ourselves, we inspire those around us to act similarly. WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY DO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN? […]
7 Steps to Creating an Optimal Learning Environment for Students
The classroom environment has a major impact on the way students of all ages learn. Although every pupil learns in an entirely independent way, by initially setting boundaries and standards, creating a safe and inclusive environment and being consistent in the delivery of curricula, assessment and reflection, a teacher can provide an optimal learning environment. […]
Practical Advice on Implementing and Measuring Whole-School Wellbeing
What is Whole-School Wellbeing? A whole school approach recognises that all aspects of the school community can impact positively upon students’ health, safety and wellbeing. This includes all those who care and are affected by the decisions the school makes: Students; Teachers; Senior leadership team; Support staff; Board of Trustees or Board of Governors; Parents […]
10 Ways Teachers Can Bring a Wellbeing Focus Back to School
Transitioning back to school can be a challenging time for both teachers and students, especially given the social and emotional impact of COVID-19 on our lives over the past year. To ease your students back to school, we have compiled a list of 10 ways you can focus on wellbeing in those first few days […]
Identifying, Understanding and Managing Emotions – A Best Practice Guide for Teachers
This best practice guide will highlight the steps to implement Life Skills GO to track student wellbeing throughout the day and school year, provide guided digital and physical lessons to improve student skills in their ability to identify, understand and manage their emotions, and measure progress across each student, classroom and an entire school. Step […]