NSW Past Activities

This page publishes stories about training activities, special events and information about the implementation of MindMatters in school communities. If you have a story to tell and would be happy for it to be published on this website, please email the NSW State Project Officers, Jason Pascoe or Maryanne Vorrieter.

Level One Introductory Workshop at Parramatta on 29-30 April 2009

New and experienced teachers were actively engaged in a Level One Introductory Workshop at the delightful venue of Old Government House in Parramatta on 29-30 April. Level One introduces participants to the MindMatters resource kit, raising awareness of social and emotional learning and wellbeing at a teacher and whole school level.

Presenters Maryanne Vorreiter and Christine Moran took a tag-team approach, encouraging participants to engage in discussion and reflection about their teaching experiences. Participants appreciated the opportunity to develop their understanding of a whole school approach to social and emotional learning. They enriched the workshop by readily sharing their knowledge and discussing ways to use the MindMatters materials.

A highlight was learning the Kate Miller-Heidke song, 'Caught in the Crowd', which focuses on bullying and bystander behaviour. The video clip on YouTube would be a useful stimulus to use with students in a Pastoral Care group.

Participant feedback suggested that they found the workshop very useful.
•    ‘Would come again and suggest it to others.’
•    ‘I can now encourage other staff members to access these tools I learnt today.’
•    ‘I gained resources I can use in the classroom and (a knowledge of) where to find them.’
•    ‘I appreciated the opportunity to network and compare progress, and unpack the resource kit.’
•    ‘It gave me a chance to reflect on school policy and how to integrate social and emotional learning into our school.’