Positive Education a key focal point for SPHE

Positive Education

I'm delighted to announce that this year we're making Positive Education a key focal point of our teaching and learning at Stratford College. I feel that our close knit community is uniquely equipped to help individual children flourish and therefore is an ideal school to implement this pedagogy under the SPHE curriculum.

At Stratford College, we felt morally compelled to respond to the relentless reports that highlight anxiety and depression amongst our young. For example, in 2011 UNICEF reported that an alarming 50% of young Irish people reported suffering from depression. We want to actively teach our students coping strategies to help them to manage any potential stressors in their life. Studies indicate that by teaching students how to be optimistic and hopeful this will enhance their resilience. Resilience is a key ingredient in the ability to cope, adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.

A whole school approach is required in order to be effective. We introduced the concept of Positive Education at the first school assembly. During the last week of each month we propose taking a happiness index of all school members, including staff. At the end of September we asked students and staff to reflect on their food intake (quality and amount), their sleep (quality and amount) and their exercise. The students collated this information using a spreadsheet and they will present their findings on the Positive Education notice board and orally during teh 6th year assembly. This work will also contribute to improving the students’ numeracy and literacy They could present the information on graphs and track our progress throughout the school year.

We would also like to suggest ways of improving their happiness by encouraging them to reflect and change their behaviour. Tips of the week are being posted on our website and suggested at assembly. These include keeping a gratitude journal, noticing three things that went well, practicing visualizations and affirmations etc. We are also encouraging year groups to focus their presentation for assembly around cultivating this ethos. For example, guest speakers from The Santuary, Mind Matters or Heads Up will be invited to speak about Mindfulness or choice theory for instance.

Ms. Reynolds

[Image: uws.edu.au]