Experts in trauma-informed support, positive behaviour and mental health will be sharing their knowledge at wellbeing in education conferences co-hosted by The University of Western Australia.
Dr Helen Street, Founder and Chair of Positive Schools from UWA’s Graduate School of Education, said it was exciting to welcome Australia’s leading voices to the series of three Positive Schools Wellbeing Matters conferences.
Experts include Dr Zach Greig, founder and director of the Stand Up Project; Associate Professor Glen Melvin, co-lead of Mental Health Care at SEED Lifespan; Professor Dawn Adams, the Olga Tennison Endowed Chair of Autism Research at La Trobe University; Craig Smith, from Positive Partnerships; psychologist and broadcaster Dr Michael Carr-Gregg; Susan McLean, from Cyber Safety Solutions; Associate Professor Judith Howard, National leader in Trauma-Aware Education from Queensland University of Technology; Justin Roberts from The MacKillop Institute; Ken Wallace CEO of Our Futures Institute and Associate Professor Emily Stockings, from the Matilda Centre at The University of Sydney, supporting Vaping Prevention.
“These gatherings provide all those working with young people a much-needed opportunity to be informed, re-energised and updated in student mental health, positive behaviours and trauma-informed and inclusive practice,” Dr Street said.
The events are expected to attract primary and high school leaders and teachers as well as allied mental health professionals working with schools.
Highlights include discussions on supporting respectful and considerate behaviours, reducing anxiety and school avoidance, supporting neurodiversity, delivering trauma-aware practices, preventing vaping and substance abuse, and understanding AI and technology use, misuse and overuse.
Dr Street will hold an additional full day workshop on managing stress and risk and increasing psychological safety and staff and student capacity for resilience.
“We aim to ignite, engage and inspire educators and mentors who work with students,” Dr Street said.
“Having important conversations and developing strategies can help students make informed decision to navigate the challenges and traumas of life with greater confidence, capacity and calm.”
UWA is partnering with Our Futures Institute Vaping Prevention and The MacKillop Institute to co-host the conferences.
The conferences will be held in Brisbane at the Convention & Exhibition Centre from October 20 to 22, in Sydney at Rydges World Square Hotel from October 27 to 29, and Fremantle at Rydges Esplanade Hotel from November 5 to 7. For further information or to register visit the website.