school systems wellbeing
Let me begin with a short story… A school hosted a wellbeing training and most of the teachers left feeling hopeful and invigorated. In the weeks after they quickly implemented the resources and strategies, putting them to test in their classrooms. The wellbeing strategies got a mention in many staff meetings that term and some… Continue reading Why do we need Wellbeing Education Leaders and Learners?
Trauma-informed perspectives and systems-aware perspectives are urgently needed to help leaders understand and address the complexities within their schools. Through our emerging research, we have observed four key practices that can support school leaders and teachers to lead with compassion.
Book chapter published in The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education This chapter was developed by wellbeing, leadership, and regenerative sustainability author, Ash Buchanan who was a significant mentor and friend to me over the past five years. I supported the process as co-author, alongside a host of educators and practitioners collectively inquiring into the future… Continue reading Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Self, School, and Society
Article published in the International Journal of Whole Schooling Full reference: Citation: Greig, J, Bailey, B, Abbott, L, & Brunzell, T. (2021). Trauma-Informed Integral Leadership: Leading School Communities With a Systems-Aware Approach. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 17 (1), 62-97. Abstract: The impacts of childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences can have devastating consequences on… Continue reading Trauma-Informed Integral Leadership: Leading School Communities With a Systems-Aware Approach
Lamine Sonko is known as Australia’s African cultural journeyman. He has toured Australia and internationally as a performer and educator, engaging and energising audiences across the country, and bringing people together to celebrate diversity and enable creative collective action. In this interview, Lamine shares with me how he brings rhythm and culture to engage young… Continue reading Stories of Impact – Rhythm, Culture and Community Wellbeing at School
Teachers are quickly shifting to online learning environments in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the demands of physical distancing. During this crisis stress levels are heightened for all of us. Trauma-impacted students, and in fact everyone, are susceptible to resurfacing trauma-related reactivity due to the compounding uncertainty and unpredictability this crisis presents. It is… Continue reading Co-regulating (online) classrooms during a crisis
What is a trauma-affected school system? Childhood trauma is increasingly well understood by educators, including an acknowledgment that the classroom can be the most stable and consistent location in a trauma-affected student’s life. Trauma-aware teaching expands the possibilities for all students by maintaining attention toward the healing of developmental deficits, while simultaneously providing pathways toward… Continue reading A Primer on Healing School Systems
Located south of Adelaide, Christie Downs Primary School is an inclusive site of 280 students. Christie Downs Primary School seeks to provide a supportive and nurturing environment in which students are able to learn, play and grow together for a successful future. The school’s values embody personal responsibility, respectful relationships and teamwork. In this interview,… Continue reading Stories of Impact – Christie Downs Primary School
Located in South-East Melbourne, Doveton College is the first government school designed to meet the needs of children from birth to Year 9 and their families. The College offers adult education programs, as part of its focus on building a stronger community for the benefit of its students. Thadd Rimer is an Assistant Principal (Years 5-9) and… Continue reading Stories of Impact – Doveton College
There are many reasons why we disconnect from our bodies. They can be the site of worry, shame or pain. Almost every choice we make shows up in the contours of our body at some stage. The latest scientific research tells us that trauma lodges itself in the body. Psychiatrists and neuroscientists have discovered that… Continue reading Integrating mindfulness and the body at school
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