11 Aug 2018
Dear Parents/Carers
Our school vision includes, ‘Our school community is dedicated to providing every student with the opportunity to grow and achieve their personal best’, and as part of our commitment to achieving this vision we are implementing a wellbeing program called ‘Strong Minds’.
Strong Minds is a program that strives to empower teachers, students and parents to flourish in their daily lives. It is a whole school approach that is fully researched and evidence based to support improvements in wellbeing across the whole school community. Further to this, it complements our schools existing expectations for Positive Behaviours for Learning through a shared language for staff, students and families. Strong Minds is based on Positive Psychology strategies that strengthen individual wellbeing and learning. This supports our whole school community in further developing our school culture of inclusiveness and resilience.
Strong Minds is based on developing twenty- four scientifically validated ‘Character Strengths’ that are the distinctive qualities, which are the best in us. They reflect what is important to us and what we value. When we know and live our strengths we can improve everything that we do. For children, it allows them to see difference as strength. Research into character indicates that when we know and apply our specific character strengths our wellbeing and life satisfaction improves.
If you are interested, you can find out your Signature Strengths by completing the free VIA Survey at: https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register
Westmead PS staff have participated in extensive professional development opportunities to develop their knowledge of Character Strengths and how it applies to the development in children of primary school age. Over Term 3 and Term 4, students will engage in lessons that explicitly draw on identifying specific strengths in themselves and others. An overview is provided on the back.
We encourage you to discuss these character strengths with your child and look for examples of when they put their strength into practice. Your child may also be very interested to know what your signature strengths are. These types of discussions can help to build relationships, self-esteem, and promote strengths based language within our school community.
To further support parents and carers in understanding the benefits of the Strong Minds program at Westmead PS, we will be holding information sessions on Tuesday 19 September. More information about booking for the workshop will be distributed in week 6.
On behalf of all staff at Westmead PS, thank you for supporting our school with the Strong Minds wellbeing initiative.
David Jenkins Sam Pillay and Mark Roberts
Principal Assistant Principals (Relieving)
Below is an overview of the Character Strengths students will be explicitly learning about in their classrooms over the next two school terms.
