September eNews
Issue 13: KidsMatter Primary eNewsletter September 2009
Editorial
KidsMatter News
Feature: Our KidsMatter Primary journey – The WA perspective
Keeping an eye on mental health and education- NEW
Resources for school staff, parents and carers on cyber bullying
| Editorial |
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Welcome to the third KidsMatter Primary eNewsletter for 2009.
With the first School Action Team Briefing having taken place in Tasmania in August (see article below), I thought it opportune to reflect on the first half of this ‘transition’ year for KidsMatter Primary.
It doesn’t seem like eight months ago that the pilot phase officially finished. Project Officers thanked and farewelled Pilot schools, the Evaluation team began the mammoth task of ‘cleaning data’ and the KidsMatter Primary partners began the process of developing partnerships with State and Territory education and health sectors.
That process involves Partners and Project Officers working closely together to consolidate and build on the relationships developed with the education and health sectors during the pilot phase.
One thing that has clearly stood out in all negotiations with sectors has been the importance of time. Time to develop relationships, time to understand, time to plan, time to reflect.
We acknowledge the opportunity to have this time is a luxury in many ways. However we know it will benefit both KidsMatter Primary and our State and Territory colleagues as we move forward together in providing schools access to KidsMatter Primary.
Chris Champion
National Project Officer
| KidsMatter News |
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A new face for the KidsMatter website
When you visit the KidsMatter website next you will notice a big change. A new website? No, no, just a new face! The KidsMatter Primary and KidsMatter Early Childhood initiatives now share the same web address: www.kidsmatter.edu.au. This link will lead you to a splash page that introduces both initiatives and provides links to each individual site. These websites will sit side-by-side and users will be able to switch between the two just by clicking a link at the top of the screen. Look out for more additions to the KidsMatter Early Childhood and Primary websites coming soon!
KidsMatter Primary initiative update
The forging of strong partnerships between KidsMatter Primary and education and health sectors at the National, State/Territory and local level has been the focus of KidsMatter Primary this year. The aim of these partnerships is to engage more schools in implementing KidsMatter Primary and to draw together the knowledge and expertise education and health bring to support schools in addressing children’s mental health. The development of partnerships is progressing positively. Nine schools in North West Tasmania are the first new schools since the pilot to begin formal implementation of KidsMatter Primary. Leadership staff, teachers and parents attended a 1-day Action Team Briefing on August 24th to get a taste of KidsMatter Primary so that they could get started on implementing the Initiative at their school. We welcome these new schools to KidsMatter Primary and wish them all the best in implementing the Initiative.
KidsMatter Primary Evaluation update
Flinders University, the evaluation consultant, has completed a draft of the Final Report, which indicates positive findings. We anticipate completion of the Full Report in October, for a likely public release in November.
KidsMatter Early Childhood initiative update
As you have read above, some changes are happening to the KidsMatter website. You will now be able to access either the KidsMatter Primary Schools site or KidsMatter Early Childhood site by clicking on the appropriate arrow on the home page. For those interested in participating in or finding out more about KidsMatter Early Childhood, please check this site for updates and new information as it becomes available.
| Feature: Our KidsMatter Primary journey – The WA perspective |
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A reflection from Cate Engelbrecht, WA KidsMatter Primary Project Officer
Prior to our recent KM briefing in WA, I gathered some updated information from our pilot schools to discuss with new schools interested in participating. I always very much enjoy visiting schools and appreciate the welcome that is offered.
I was encouraged to see that seven months out of the pilot, schools were still engaging in KidsMatter Primary planning and activities, clearly demonstrating the value of the initiative. I was also encouraged by what was said…
‘We approach things differently now.’
‘We look at kids through different lens now.’
‘We now consider mental health as part of the whole child.’
‘KidsMatter has become a part of what we do in our school.’
‘Kids are more inclusive of children experiencing difficulties because of the reduced stigma associated with mental health.’
‘Mental Health Day has become a feature of our school – the kids still talk about it and look forward to the next one.’
These things are so rewarding to hear because they reflect a genuine journey where we can clearly recognise the way things were and the way things are now. We can recognise the hard work, commitment, learning, persistence and willingness to accept new ways of thinking and acting that paved the way.
Sometimes this change can be so profound and other times so subtle, that it is hard to remember, once we have arrived at a particular point in time and place, that it is not only time and our environment that has changed, but ourselves. When we consider what we know to be true now, it is sometimes difficult to grasp how we could ever have thought differently. KidsMatter Primary has been one of those experiences for both me and schools alike.
Through work as a Project Officer, I’ve also arrived at a different point in time and place. Though I had worked in schools for 12 years as a school psychologist, the opportunity to work more directly and regularly with teachers has increased my understanding of the complexities of teaching exponentially. In return, I have been invited to share what I know and can do with many more people in ways which are likely to be more sustained over time. I have very much enjoyed this two way relationship with our pilot schools.
In equal measure my understanding of the vital ingredients in good quality health promotion (mental health included) has also deepened. What was a collection of ideas heavy on theory with some degree of practical application is now a very clear vision of how mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention can work effectively in an education and health partnership.
Though there are many theories and much research evidence regarding health promotion, of all the key elements, by far the most powerful ingredient is added when all involved are supported to take the time to understand all perspectives and to benefit from one another’s knowledge and experience. This naturally leads to stronger belonging and inclusion of all involved; highlights areas which are working well and those on which we need to build; and promotes better coordination and strategy.
That is my simple observation and vision. And you know, I can now hardly remember having thought in any other way.
| Keeping an eye on mental health and education |
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Welcome to the newest section of the KidsMatter Primary eNewsletter. This new section will keep you up to date with the major mental health and education events with the theme of promotion, prevention and early intervention. Find dates for major initiatives, celebrations, events and also conferences at which KidsMatter Primary will be presenting (indicated with *).
| 2009 Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth Conference (ARACY) | http://www.aracyconference.org.au/ | 2 – 4 Sep |
| 44th APS Annual Conference* | http://www.apsconference.com.au/ | 30 Sep – 4 Oct |
| Anxiety and Depression Awareness month | http://www.beyondblue.org.au | October |
| World Mental Health Day | http://www.wfmh.org/00WorldMentalHealthDay.htm | 10 Oct |
| 6th National Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference and World Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) Conference* |
http://sapmea.asn.au/conventions/camh/index.html | 26 – 28 Oct |
| Children’s Week | http://www.childrensweek.org.au/what_children.html | 24 Oct – 1 Nov |
| Australia Teachers Day | 30 Oct | |
| 2009 Australian Association for Research (AARE) in Education International Education Research Conference * |
http://aare09.confsite.com.au/index.htm | 29 Nov – 3 Dec |
| Resources for school staff, parents and carers on cyber bullying |
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Parents, carers, school staff and health professionals understand the effects that bullying can have on a child’s wellbeing. Cyber bullying, a new version of bullying that is more difficult to recognise, is becoming increasingly more common amongst primary school students. This form of bullying can have similar effects on a child’s wellbeing as the more traditional forms of physical and verbal bullying.
There are many freely available resources where children, parents, carers and school staff can find out more information about cyber bullying. If you are unsure whether the information is applicable to primary school children, you may like to discuss it with staff at your school, your school guidance office/counsellor or a mental health professional.
Cybersmart offers information and resources for parents and carers and provides activities for use with children of all ages. School staff can find classroom activities, lesson plans and student handouts related to cyberbullying. Available at: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au
Bullying.No Way! provides information about cyberbullying and strategies on how teachers and parents can work together to tackle the issue. Go to: http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/cyberbullyingmain.shtml
CyberSmart! provides a free cyber bullying package which may be useful for school staff wanting to begin a dialogue with students and build a sustained cyber bullying prevention campaign to continually remind the school community about safe, ethical online use. Go to: http://cybersmartcurriculum.org/cyberbullying/nsba/
School staff may also like to check their State or Territory Department of Education website.
For further information on more traditional forms of bullying, see the KidsMatter Primary Information Resource Pack: Risk and protective factors for children’s mental health. The information sheet Everybody has a right to feel safe and the Bullying and mental health- Other Resources sheet may be particularly useful. Available at: www.kidsmatter.edu.au/resources/information-resources
