KidsMatter Primary in VIC

It feels like only yesterday that 2012 started but here we are in March. Check out this page for a quick update on what’s going on in KidsMatter in Victoria including

• The latest from the 2012 KidsMatter State Conference
• KidsMatter to shine at Positive School 2012
• New staff at KidsMatter
• Training calendar and update.

With just over a month to go until the first KidsMatter Victorian Conference things are really hotting up. The response has been amazing with over 200 registrations from 3 states and some schools bringing their whole staff team! We’re getting more every day so if you are thinking about attending then register now as sessions are filling fast.

Register now for the KidsMatter Conference

Schools showcase ‘excellence’ in KidsMatter

We are very pleased to announce the first of our showcase schools. These schools will provide a short presentation and insight into how they have implemented KidsMatter at their schools. The first schools to be announced are:

• St. Marks’ Primary School (Fawkner). This school has done some amazing work in the implementation of KidsMatter particularly in how they have engaged with the families or their diverse student population. They always provide an inspirational insight into what’s possible, this is one not to miss.
• Methodist Ladies College. What does KidsMatter look like when your school population doesn’t live in the same area? What does it look like when your school caters for early childhood all the way to VCE? MLC has worked hard to rigorously implement KidsMatter but also provides an integrated EC-12 model of mental health support
• Brighton Beach Primary School. How do you empower and support your student population to build strong student voice? Come with Brighton Beach to hear about how their KidsMatter journey has had big impacts in helping build student engagement and voice.
• Benalla East. With a school in the middle of a merger, how do you raise parent satisfaction by 50%. Benalla East will talk about their KidsMatter journey and how a focus on engagement of parents and the community has made a big impact.
• Kilmore Primary School.  What happens when student voice becomes student music? Come and hear the students of Kilmore perform their very own ‘KidsMatter Songs’.

Have you got an inspirational story to tell?

The first schools are in but we are still look for 3 more schools to present at the KidsMatter conference. If you’ve got a story to tell, particularly with reference to how you teach, support and generalize the development of social and emotional competence then we want to hear from you.

KidsMatter is seeking both schools to present a 20 minute session on their KidsMatter journey but also for posters that show what’s going on at your school.  Presenting schools will receive support for materials and attendance at the conference.

Interested???…….then email Paul Shelton 

Positive Schools 2012

KidsMatter, in conjunction with Mind Matters, are proud to be supporting the inaugural Victorian Positive Schools 2012 Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference, being held at the Melbourne Convention Centre in June. KidsMatter and Mind Matters staff will be offering workshops alongside a raft of speakers looking to build awareness and connections to foster positive wellbeing for children and school communities.
 
Conference details and registration

New faces at KidsMatter

With the expansion of KidsMatter we’re excited to announce that there are a number of things happening at KidsMatter central in Victoria.

Rob Mason has now become the KidsMatter State Coordinator replacing Paul Shelton who has stepped down to part time to look after his own children. Rob brings a wealth of skills and experience to help KidsMatter in Victoria carry on going from strength to strength.

Carolyn May, project officer for KidsMatter is also on the move. Carolyn has taken the position of the South Australian Coordinator based in Adelaide. Carolyn’s contribution to KidsMatter in Victoria has been great as all those who have dealt with her will know. South Australia’s gain will be Victoria’s loss but Carolyn is sure to be instrumental in building KidsMatter further in SA.

We are also really excited to be in the final stages of employing four new project officers. The caliber of people who applied for these positions was exceptional with great skills and experience being brought from the health, education and vocational areas. Contracts are just being finalized s`o we hope to be able to announce them soon but we are very excited with the skills, experience and enthusiasm that they bring. As an added bonus, we have taken the opportunity to establish a regional office for KidsMatter in Ballarat. It will build our ability to support schools across western Victoria in responsive and sustainable ways.

Briefing and Training

Many briefing and training opportunities are currently advertised on the online registration system. If you haven’t been to this part of the website click on the ‘Calendar and Registration’ tab on the main page and search for Victorian events. These events will be updated throughout the year but we hope to provide a six month calendar for schools to plan their PD requirements.

Rob Mason KidsMatter Primary Victorian Coodinator