Past activities

2008

Level One Introductory Workshop, Darwin Airport Resort 13-14 August 2008.

Some of the participant comments following the workshop were:

"Following this workshop I would like to enthuse staff to make some moves toward addressing the social and emotional wellbeing of students."

"Reinforcing the value of connection and the whole school involvement was really useful."

"I am new to MindMatters, so I found all of it useful."

2007

Taminmin High Year 8 Wellbeing Camp

More than 40, Year 8 Taminmin High students from Humpty Doo (in the Palmerston/Rural region) were treated to a series of wellbeing camps during March.

Set on beautiful acreage near the small village community of Noonamah, the school nurse and wellbeing team members took the students bush as a unique way of familiarising them with their new high school. The use of MindMatters activities featured prominently on the programs.

Staff wanted to offer a more personal way of introducing the students to the school. The transition from primary into high school is a major transition and staff wanted to have students feel safe and welcome and at the same time learn about some of the values and expectations of Taminmin.

The staff used many of the MindMatters activities throughout three workshops. The activities that require a lot of teamwork and problem solving were very popular. The message here has been that we all have something to contribute and that everyone should be valued equally. It's helped students to develop a heightened awareness of their own physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and nurtured a nice respect amongst the entire year level.

From a Project Officer's standpoint, plenty of fun along the way helps to make the workshops even more memorable – especially that swim in the Darwin River at the end of the day. Only in the NT!

2006

Tennant Creek High School

Tennant Creek High School started semester two with a whole school, one-day MindMatters Workshop focussing on resilience, bullying and harassment and staff wellbeing. The 34 staff who attended were a very cohesive and positive group who worked together and shared good strategies and ideas for supporting the student cohort at Tennant Creek High School. They highlighted and discussed issues specific to their community.

At a follow-up visit, Middle School coordinators met with the MindMatters Officer to discuss strategies for developing programs for 2007. The MindMatters Officer presented an overview of the MindMatters kit to the Tennant Creek High School Council and made a display for the parent-teacher night.

Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD), Alice Springs

A group of Indigenous women studying a Certificate III in Community services at the Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD) in Alice Springs attended the two-day workshop in June. Their lecturer has used strategies from the MindMatters kit to build the women's self esteem and confidence.

In September, the women travelled to Tennant Creek to lead a communication workshop for local Indigenous women. Throughout the two days, each of the students introduced themselves and presented a MindMatters activity for the group. They obviously enjoyed the games and activities and could see the relevance to working together and helping one other. The women spoke of working with young people in their community and using MindMatters to make connections and encourage positive relationships. The MindMatters Officer visited the group in Alice Springs later to present more activities on resilience and positive self-talk. The lecturer is delighted with the positive effect using MindMatters activities has had on the wellbeing and self-esteem of the students.

Nightcliff High School and St John's College

Nightcliff High School and St John's College students have followed up the activities undertaken during particuipation in the Youth Empowerment Process. Three year 9 students at Nightcliff High have regularly led a group of Year 8 students through activities focusing on issues of importance. The Year 9 students presented an activity at the MindMatters Reference Group meeting in August and talked about the program in their school.

The Alternative Education Program

The Alternative Education Program (AEP) currently operates in Darwin and Katherine and supports young people who have disengaged from schooling. The MindMatters Officer led a one-day leadership/communication workshop for 15 young people who are enrolled in the program. Activities about articulating personal skills and strengths and setting goals were completed. All of the AEP teachers attended a recent two-day workshop and plan to use MindMatters resources in their work with their clients.

Taminmin High School

Taminmin High School continues to use MindMatters materials extensively. The Health Promoting School Nurse and School Counsellor lead a series of induction workshops for Year 6 and 7 students who will enrol at the school in 2007. They also operate parenting workshops. Many teachers have expressed interest in having StaffMatters Workshops conducted in their schools.