Episode #20 | Kevin Hill – Life at a Tiny Rural School With 7 Students
This chat with Kevin is super interesting. Kevin is principal of Everton primary school in rural Victoria, a school with 7 students. Everton is a town of approximately 200 people and is located 272km north east of Melbourne. The closest town being Wangaratta. I wanted to talk to Kevin about what life is like at a tiny rural school. I think you’ll find it fascinating.
Episode #19 With Shaun ‘The Wild Thing’ Tait – What Life is Really Like for a Professional Sports Person
This chat with Shaun ‘The Wild Thing’ Tait cannot be missed. Shaun is a former Australian Cricketer and one of the world’s fastest bowlers of all-time. He’s played for different organisations all around the world, dabbled in entrepreneurship and is currently bowling coach for Pakistan.
Episode #18 With Gilda Scarfe – Insights into Teacher Wellbeing from Around the World
Dr. Gilda Scarfe is the founder and CEO of Positive Ed and Mental Toughness Institute, member on the advisory board of the Global Flourishing Study led by Harvard University in collaboration with Baylor University. Gilda is a positive psychologist and mental toughness expert with a Master in Education and Doctorate in the conceptualization and application of mental toughness in education.
Episode #17 With Ash Manuel – The Growing With Gratitude Book is Now Available
Ash is the founder of Growing With Gratitude, the host of this podcast and newly published author.
In this episode with we dive into:
– how GWG and the book came about
– what you can expect from the book and what you will take away
More About Ash
Ash has over 20 years’ experience working in education environments and advocating for a
culture of positivity and kindness.
He is the Founder of the Growing with Gratitude program that helps schools and organisations develop better cultures
and atmospheres that support mental health and wellbeing.
You can contact Ash and get your copy of the book here here:
Book: growingwithgratitude.com.au/book/ | Amazon | Booktopia
Victorian Government Schools Mental Health Menu: Growing With Gratitude
Facebook: facebook.com/growingwithgratitude
Instagram: @growingwithgratitude
Linkedin: Ash Manuel
Email: info@growingwithgratitude.com.au
Episode #16 With Josh Connell – The Danny Frawley Centre For Mental Health
Josh is a Teacher, and currently the Community Programs Manager for the Danny Frawley Centre and the St Kilda Football Club.
In this episode with Josh, we dive into:
– the role professional sporting organisations can play in the mental wellbeing space
– the Danny Frawley Centre and it’s purpose
– the 4 pillars the Danny Frawley Centre focuses on
– the ‘for good’ a professional sporting club can play in the community
Plus a heap more
More About Josh
Josh started his career at the AFL, working with remote indigenousness communities on driving social change through Australian Rules Football.
After completing his grad year in teaching Josh pursued his passion for harnessing the power of sport as the vehicle to improve community health outcomes, particularly around Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Continuing his career in the AFL sector, setting up and implementing a successful suicide prevention pilot program for local sports clubs and is now the community programs manager for the newly established Danny Frawley Centre.
You can contact Josh and follow the Danny Frawley Centre here:
Facebook: facebook.com/dannyfrawleycentre
Instagram: @dannyfrawleycentre
Linkedin: Josh Connell
Email: hello@dannyfrawleycentre.com.au
Website: dannyfrawleycentre.com.au
Episode #15 With Madhavi Nawana Parker – Why Teacher Wellbeing Must Be #1
Madhavi is Director of Positive Minds Australia, is a widely Published Author and co author of resilience, confidence and social-emotional intelligence books and programs implemented across Australia and Overseas. Madhavi’s published work includes, ‘The Confident Minds Curriculum,’ ‘The Resilience and Wellbeing Toolbox,’ and ‘What’s the Buzz? A social emotional literacy program.’
In this episode with Madhavi, we dive into:
– why teacher wellbeing must be a priority
– strategies, activities and tips for teacher and student wellbeing
– the impact of COVID and student wellbeing
– the common mental health / wellbeing issues she’s seeing in our young people
Plus a heap more
More About Madhavi
Madhavi’s expertise is often sought by various Parenting and Education magazines and she is a regular Podcast and Radio guest, advising on Parenting, Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Madhavi combines her compassionate knowledge and commitment to her field with studies in Psychology, Counselling and over two decades of professional work in schools and organisations with young people and families, to lead Positive Minds Australia in their commitment to improved wellbeing, resilience, confidence and thriving for all.
Madhavi provides a broad range of Professional Development opportunities in Corporate and Education settings on topics including Wellbeing, Mindset and Stress Management. Madhavi provides counselling and social emotional skills training for young people and adults at her Unley (Adelaide, South Australia) rooms.
You can contact Madhavi and follow her here:
Facebook: facebook.com/positivemindsaustralia
Linkedin: Madhavi Nawana Parker
Website: positivemindsaustralia.com.au
Episode #14 With Hollie Seibold – How to Take a Proactive Approach to Wellbeing
Hollie is the Schools Program Lead at Readiness, a complete wellbeing platform for students and schools. She’s also a full-time wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She’s a wellbeing specialist, a teacher, a part-time chef, Uber driver and a casual gym enthusiast. Hollie is an aspiring pro surfer who has an addiction to chai lattes.
In this episode with Hollie, we dive into:
– the purpose of readiness.org.au
– how to take a proactive approach to wellbeing
– the importance of teaching skills of wellbeing from an early age
– sport and it’s lessons of resilience
– the role of character strengths in the classroom
Plus more
Episode #13 With Ben Storer – A World Leading Positive Education School
Ben is Head of Wellbeing at St Peter’s College Junior School in Adelaide, South Australia. St Peter’s is one of the leading Positive Education Schools in the world. I am super excited to have Ben on the Podcast. A must listen for all school leaders and teachers who are looking to implement or improve upon their current programs. In this episode with Ben, we dive into:
– keys to setting up a positive education program across the whole school
– the importance of choosing a framework and then bringing in programs to support the framework
– the challenges of setting up a wellbeing program
– why it’s important to individualise wellbeing strategies
– the importance of training teachers.
More About Ben:
Ben Storer grew up a passionate sportsperson. However, Ben had a change of focus when his Father passed away and has own diagnosis of a heart condition. As a result, Ben was asked to coach sports teams instead of play and it was here he realised his passion for education.Ben began his teaching career in 2003 and since this time has held positions as a class teacher, Assistant Boarding Housemaster and Assistant Head of Junior School in Schools in the UK and Adelaide, South Australia. Ben joined St Peter’s College (Adelaide, South Australia) as a year 6 teacher in 2012 and undertook training in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Further highlights include: a Professional Certificate in Positive Education with the University of Melbourne and co-presenting at state and national Positive Education Schools Association (PESA) conferences.Ben currently holds the position of Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing and Administration at St Peter’s College.When he isn’t spending time with family and friends, Ben can be found coaching sports teams, meditating, stuck in various yoga poses or out in the garden as a newly converted green thumb.
You can contact Ben and follow him here:
Email: BStorer@stpeters.sa.edu.au
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BDStorer
Website: Well-being and Pastoral Care at St Peter’s
Episode #12 With Ana Dominguez – How to create a school culture where everyone belongs
This episode features ways to allocate time to wellbeing, whether that be in the classroom or around the school. This episode has something for everyone. Ana shares:
– how at JBCN International School they allocate time to wellbeing
– why all teachers know all students names at the school
– student led wellbeing initiatives at the school
– what the school does to ensure everyone feels they belong, no matter there role in the school
PLUS MUCH MORE
More About Ana:
Ana Dominguez is Vice Principal at JBCN International School in Mumbai, India. Ana is an experienced Assistant Principal with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Skilled in Literature, Communication, Classroom Management, Foreign Languages, and Drama. Strong professional with a mind for international education and experience in all levels of the IB Diploma and Cambridge board. She’s also passionate about the wellbeing of students and staff.
You can contact Ana and follow him here:
Websites: https://www.jbcnschool.edu.in/oshiwara/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-dominguez-robles-913600a2/
Episode #11 With Dale Sidebottom and Ash Manuel – Tips to Deal With Stress and Anxiety in Current Times. Plus Upcoming Workshops
This episode features valuable tips that can help you during stressful and anxious times. It’s important to find out what works for you, when it comes to dealing with stresses and when you do it’s even more important to take action on your ‘mood shifters’. Because at the end of the day it’s up to us to take responsibility to deal with our challenges. The episode, also delves into upcoming workshops Dale and Ash are delivering and they also talk about opportunities to deliver workshops at your school or organisation. This episode has something for everyone. Dale and Ash share:
2 tips each on dealing with stress and anxiety
the importance of taking responsibility for your own wellbeing
wellbeing games to play and why it’s important to keep wellbeing practice fun
upcoming workshops