This year, at BPS, we have introduced ‘Grow Your Mind’ as our whole-school wellbeing approach, to compliment our school’s values and the Balmain Way (PB4L). ‘Grow Your Mind’ is a curriculum aligned, evidence-based learning approach to explicitly promote mental health and teach wellbeing.
‘Grow Your Mind’ is not a happiness program, nor a self-esteem program. Instead, it is a program that uses evidence based strategies to teach children, families & school staff, ways to be resilient through the lens of:
1. Brain health
2. Emotional regulation
3. Character strengths
4. Positive emotions - joy, gratitude, curiosity etc.
5. Kindness
6. Courage
7. A growth & benefit mindset
8. Respectful relationships
‘Grow Your Mind’ is designed to protect and strengthen all student's mental AND physical health. It is built upon four pillars to promote mental health & wellbeing:
1. Positive Psychology - the study of the strengths that contribute to individual and community thriving and wellbeing
2. Social and Emotional Learning - the study of how individuals acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours needed to develop the skills for self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
3. Public Health - the study of the prevention of illness and promotion of health
4. Neuroscience - the study of the function and structure of the brain and nervous system.
It is recognised by both the Australian and NSW curriculum that relationships and emotional skills affect how and what we learn. Therefore, Australian schools are required to teach social and emotional wellbeing skills. The implementation of Grow Your Mind is driven by the aim to develop the social and emotional development of all students.
Character Strengths
We all have a distinct constellation of strengths. Character strengths are different from your personal strengths, such as your unique skills, talents, interests and resources, because they reflect the "real" you—who you are at your core. Every individual possesses all 24 character strengths in different degrees, giving each person a unique character strengths profile. As result, we have shifted our focus on identifying, growing and celebrating all character strengths with a weekly character strength award.
‘Grow Your Mind’ Language
Students have been introduced to the ‘Grow Your Mind characters’ that represent key parts of our brain. You may have already heard
THE WISE OWL (PREFRONTAL CORTEX)
Your fantastic problem solver. Allows you to be a flexible friend. Tries to make good decisions on your behalf.
THE GUARD DOG (AMYGDALA)
Keeps you safe at all costs. Prone to being very bossy and overreacting. At times barks so loud that none of the other animal helpers can hear themselves think.
THE ELEPHANT (HIPPOCAMPUS)
Who tries hard to remember. As the name suggests, your elephant is fantastic at remembering things. Especially when your guard dog is nice and calm.
THE SIFTING SOOTY (RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM)
Ever dreamed of being a tightrope walker? Sifting Sooty would be there to help you focus on not falling off. You don't need to worry about distractions when your sifting sooty is turned on.
For more parent information, visit this presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FZohR1xGOcp14Qd7Oe7Jp4GPg2ojomaKbijAYeBozeU/edit#slide=id.g8e5e027ba2_0_42