Two-day training course - Strengths and solutions in schools

For year advisers, Deputy Principals, Head Teachers, school counsellors, specialist teachers, people involved in discipline and pastoral care in the school ... ANYONE who is concerned with creating a positive and helpful school environment and helping students CHANGE and develop.

This course explores the ways in which strengths-based and solution-focused ideas may be used in various aspects of school life and how they can MAKE A DIFFERENCE to students and to staff.

"It was great to get some more "tools for the toolbox" in dealing with welfare issues ... being able to re-engineer what I currently do, to be more effective as a Year Adviser."

— Steve Edwards, Year Adviser, Lake Munmorah High School, NSW

"The most helpful thing was the opportunity to reflect critically on current practice and be shown ways of thinking outside current parameters."

— Sandra Crossan, Deputy Principal, Punchbowl Boys High School, Sydney

Much that happens in student welfare, in discipline and in school management entails a focus on what people are doing wrong, how they are failing, and much time is often spent "getting to the bottom" of whatever may or may not have occurred. Strengths and Solution-focused ideas offer a different set of practical tools for dealing with students and creating much more of a "win - win" situation.

The course will consider questions such as:

• Responding to students in strengths-based ways — and how they then respond differently;
• How do we think about detention and discipline differently — in a way that might be constructive?
• Can we promote a school climate that is more positive and supportive?
• How do we deal with bullying — without bullying the bullies?
• Moving beyond just "positive reinforcement" to students taking responsibility for change;
• How to engage students to WANT to do things differently;
• Avoiding backing them (or ourselves) into a corner — doing LESS of what's NOT working!

The course includes a comprehensive workbook and course manual, with PRACTICAL tools for school personnel; including a structured format for a DIFFERENT kind of interview with the student who is sent to you.

The course will be practical in focus and participants will have the opportunity to raise issues of their own. The course leaders have worked in schools and will deal with ideas applicable to both primary and secondary schools.

This course will be held :

• Parramatta - 21 & 22 May 2009
  
  
• Orange - 1 & 2 July 2009
  
  

Cost is $330 (incl GST). Three or more staff from one school, registered and paid for together, can attend for $280 each (15% discount).

Use our online registration form to register for this course.

"A fantastic course. I'm looking forward to next week when I can put the concepts and ideas into practice. You've made my job less stressful."

— Michael Hughes, Year 11 Co-ordinator, Delany College, Granville (Sydney)

"The workshop taught me that there is always hope. I am excited about the prospect of using this process in the future."

— Jacob Melham, Special Education teacher

"It was positive, it was different, it was affirming; worst of all, it was useful!"

— Chris Anschau, Year 8 Co-ordinator, Delany College, Granville (Sydney)