MENTAL HEALTH and WELLBEING Our Whole-School Approach to Presented to SPX Staff September 2017 MENTAL HEALTH and WELLBEING Our Whole-School Approach to Empowering Teachers

Teacher empowerment Resources for staff: What can I do to enhance connectedness at SPX? “5 things schools can do to help students mental health”: 1. Start talking about it 2. Create a safe space 3. Support for all school community 4. Make sure teachers know how to help 5. Recognise that it takes a village K10 (the brain quiz - beyond blue) – simple effective measure of mental health Three ways to make meaningful connections: 1. The first 5 minutes 2. Cocurricular 3. Be available to students

Resources for staff (continued): ‘Student’ focused vs ‘content’ focused lessons/teacher Creating supportive learning environments – how do we create a supportive learning environment? ‘My Connections’- Reachout.com “Exercise Your Mood” – Black Dog Institute – September 2017. Physical exercise can improve mental health. Consider your significant role in mentoring students to: - build resilience and confidence - recognize the outcomes of the choices they make - enhance their positive potential in all aspects of life. Visit websites - Reachout.com and Youth Beyond Blue

Reflection I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humour, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanised or de-humanised.