KidsMatter Primary News

Principals Australia
VIC Project Officer (multiple positions)
KidsMatter Primary (KMP)
(12 month contract commencing March 201, with possibility of extension)

Location: Melbourne
KidsMatter Primary is a flexible, whole-school approach to children’s mental health and wellbeing for primary schools. KidsMatter has been developed by Principals Australia, beyondblue, and the Australian Psychological Society, with funding from the AustralianGovernment Department of Health and Ageing and beyondblue.

Principals Australia is seeking interested personnel to work closely with the State Coordinator
and national team on the expansion of KidsMatter Primary, providing high level support to
schools through the delivery of professional learning to school staff and related education and
health professionals.

Prerequisites include: excellent communication skills; confidence in working with a range of stakeholders at a strategic level; strong understanding of primary school settings; knowledge of student wellbeing and mental health; and experience in training and professional development delivery.

Significant intrastate travel will be required for this position.

To request the job and person specification, email recruitment@pa.edu.au
For further information contact Paul Shelton on 0419 774 362 or at paul.shelton@pa.edu.au

Applications comprising a CV and covering letter addressing key responsibilities not exceeding three pages should be submitted by email to recruitment@pa.edu.au
Applications close
5.00pm Monday February 6th, 2012
www.kidsmatterprimary.edu.au

This review has been undertaken to inform the adaptation of the KidsMatter resources for Indigenous students and their families. It draws on current literature and research to consider the issues affecting the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australian children and associated implications for schools. Download the review from the Publications page

The latest eNewsletter for KidsMatter Primary is now available online. Click here to read it, and be up to date with all the latest developments of the initiative.

The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, will this week launch the expanded KidsMatter Primary at the 2011 Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) Conference in Adelaide. The new government investment has been made by the Department as part of the government’s ‘Taking Action to Tackle Suicide’ package.

The benefits of participating in KidsMatter were heralded by a school in The Australian recently. Click here to check it out.

Please click on the following links to access a range of information and resources produced by the Australian Psychological Society and beyondblue.

Australian Psychological Society 

How to help psychologically during – and after – the floods 

Flood resources 

beyondblue

 Floods – where to get help  

Under the “Taking Action to Tackle Suicide” Package the Australian Government will invest $274 million over four years from 2010-11 which includes funding for the expansion of KidsMatter Primary of $18.4 million. This funding will enable KidsMatter Primary to be expanded to a further 1700 primary schools by June 2014. 

As a result of this funding from 2011 Australian primary schools will have more options to implement KidsMatter Primary in their schools. Planning is underway for a nationwide calendar of free professional development events for schools and teachers in central locations, telephone and online support to assist in the implementation of KidsMatter Primary and free materials for all participating schools from mid 2011.

Further information on how schools can become involved in the KidsMatter Primary initiative will be posted to the website in early 2011.

Check out the new Frequently Asked Questions page which has been updated to answer common questions about KidsMatter Primary.