Student Well-Being
Pip Woodward, National Coordinator, Student Well-being Professional Development Contract
Inspiration and resilience
This is a professional development contract being funded by the Ministry of Education and delivered by six providers, working within a national framework, and based in the school support services regions of the Ministry of Education.
The Student Well-being – Mental Health Education
Professional Development initiative is designed to assist schools
to develop policies, procedures and sustainable programmes that
support students and their families. These reflect local community
needs, build resilience and embed the 'learning community' philosophy
and practice across the school.
The professional development focuses on the development of self-directed quality management frameworks that guide continuous improvement of sustainable learning communities and quality teaching related to students' mental well-being, with special reference to the needs of Maori and Pasifika students. It also strengthens schools' strategic linkages with: Youth Suicide Recognition and Prevention initiatives; the Student Engagement Initiative (including the Suspension Reduction Initiative), Traumatic Incident Management, The Youth Development Strategy, Agenda for Children and the whole-of-government policy environment. It is supported by the most recent research and resources such as Best Evidence Syntheses, Te Mana Korero, Drug Education Guidelines, and the resources in the Curriculum Action Series.
This contract, which started in July 2005 and runs until June 2007 involves approximately 90 schools from primary through to secondary schools, both state and integrated schools throughout New Zealand. This professional development takes the form of workshops, in-school support, team teaching, reflection modelling, and critiquing and reflecting on classroom lessons.
The initial phase of this contract focused on building teaching knowledge around the theory and research about resiliency and whole school strength based approaches. This was then followed by focused professional development on consultation and identifying school needs. Schools with support from their regional facilitator then consulted with their school community, involving students, staff and the wider community.
The resulting feedback gained from this consultation then enabled schools to build on strengths, identify specific needs and begin to develop their action plans and approaches.
These action plans are unique to each school and have embedded in them a strong emphasis on sustainability and whole school approach. Schools are encouraged to develop a team in their school which must include a senior manager, classroom teachers, HOD Health / Physical Education and where applicable guidance counsellors, health promoting school facilitator, BOT representatives, school nurse and other appropriate personnel decided upon by each school.
Following this initial phase schools will then be provided with further targeted professional development relating to Pedagogy and Practice, Health and Physical Education teaching and learning with an initial focus on a resilience approach to Drug Education, Policy Development and ongoing support in whole school approaches.
All schools involved in this professional development are developing a case study that uses an action research model. Later in 2006 each school will present a snapshot of their case study to other schools in their cluster along with invited guests that may include principals from other schools and outside agencies. These presentations provide an excellent opportunity for schools to celebrate and share their work, continue to strengthen networks and develop future sustainable action plans.
This professional development contract is also being supported by an external evaluation funded by the Ministry of Education. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of the professional development to enhance student well-being and mental health.
If you would like any further information on the Student Well-being - Mental Health Education contract, contact the National Co-ordinator, Pip Woodward at p.woodward@auckland.ac.nz.
