NZ Assistant & Deputy Principals' Conference
Michael Durrant was a keynote speaker at the New Zealand Assistant & Deputy Principals' Conference in August 2007, speaking on Strengths and Resilience in Schools.
South West Sydney Principals' Conference
Michael Durrant was the keynote speaker at the South West Sydney Principals' Conference in 2007, speaking on Strengths and Resilience in Schools.
Sydney University appointment
Michael Durrant has been given an Honorary Academic appointment in the Faculty of Education, University of Sydney..
Michael training schools more widely.
Michael has conducted Staff Development training for an increasing number of schools, including Georges River College and Riverside Girls High. He has also been invited to present at South-west Sydney Principals' Conference and the National Deputy and Assistant Principals' Conference in Nelson, New Zealand.
New Zealand conference
Michael Durrant was the opening keynote speaker at a conference of educators in New Zealand.
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Exploring applications of "the strengths perspective", a focus on resilience and ideas from Solution-focused Brief Therapy to schools
Welcome to the web site of the Brief Solutions "STRENGTHS IN SCHOOLS" project. Here you will find details about our activities, our consultation to schools and our training for school personnel ... however, you will ALSO find information about other teams, centres and schools that are exploring a strengths or solutions focus in the school context. We hope this may become a place for news, ideas and resources.
The Brief Solutions "Strengths in Schools" team has been exploring the application of what we know about helping people change to the various situations encountered in schools. There is evidence that an approach to working with students that rests upon "strengths-based" or solution-focused principles can have a real impact on the "climate" of the school and have measurable effects in terms of discipline and staff morale.
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.
What do we have to offer?
Training for school personnel (training at our place or at yours!) on strategies for using a strengths perspective in schools.
Michael Durrant has presented at school Staff Development Days in various primary and high schools, has presented to schol Executive Retreats and Principals' Conferences.
Consultation to schools wishing to incorporate a focus on strength or resilience into their programs, their policies and their teaching approaches.
Michael worked with the staff of one Western Sydney high school to develop a Strengths-based discipline policy.
- PRACTICAL resources teachers can use in conversations with students and colleagues.
Training and consultation for school personnel
Strengths and Solutions in Schools training course for Deputy Principals, Year Advisers, welfare personnel, and others — in 2008, we are offering this training in Parramatta in March.
In-house training and consultation for primary and secondary schools
Consultation on school welfare and discipline approaches