The Positive Education Podcast With Ash Manuel

This episode features ways to allocate time to wellbeing, whether that be in the classroom or around the school. This episode has something for everyone. Ana shares: how at JBCN International School they allocate time to wellbeing why all teachers know all students names at the school student led wellbeing initiatives at the school what […]

This episode features valuable tips that can help you during stressful and anxious times. It's important to find out what works for you, when it comes to dealing with stresses and when you do it's even more important to take action on your 'mood shifters'. Because at the end of the day it's up to us to take responsibility to deal with our challenges. The episode, also delves into upcoming workshops Dale and Ash are delivering and they also talk about opportunities to deliver workshops at your school or organisation. This episode has something for everyone. Dale and Ash share: 2 tips each on dealing with stress and anxiety the importance of taking responsibility for your own wellbeing wellbeing games to play and why it's important to keep wellbeing practice fun upcoming workshops

January 26, 2022 This episode is packed full of passion, featuring fantastic actionable ideas and student stories. Whether, you are a high or primary school educator there is something for everyone. Colette shares: how to make positive education manageable for the whole school contextwhy acknowledgement of country is so important where her passion for student well-being and positive education comes from stories of the benefits of wellbeing how strengths should be a big part of your behaviour management strategy the importance of student voice how to approach starting at a new school and how to approach wellbeing when starting out at a new schoolPLUS MUCH MORE More About Colette Colette Bos is in 2022 an Assistant Principal at Roma Mitchell Secondary College but her roles have also been: Director of Inclusion, Henley High School Principal of Salisbury North R-7 School and was instrumental in leading and implementing positive education throughout Mark Oliphant B-12 College. Colette is passionate about embedding positive education throughout all curriculum areas and ensuring it is not seen as an add-on. In her roles, she used research and evidence to enable her to ‘think outside the square’ to embed Positive Education in education in context for all children and young people including refugee children with limited English and those experiencing trauma. She has previous experience as a School Counsellor R-12 and a Youth Development Coordinator across the Northern Adelaide Region where she focused on a strengths-based approach and the importance of the student voice. In 2016, Colette worked in the Department of Education and Child Development’s Student Engagement and Wellbeing Unit to focus on pedagogy and wellbeing and the balance between wellbeing for learning and learning for wellbeing.

January 20, 2022 Episode #9 | Damien Tofan – The Importance of Using Sport to Bring People Together, So People Feel They Belong and are Connected This episode is very humorous. Find out why the SCUM ran out onto the ground in tin foil hats and with their pets. The episode also highlights the important role sport plays in the mental wellbeing of people and the power it has to bring people together, no matter how young or old and no matter your level of skill. Could sporting clubs be the antidote for loneliness and be the ultimate destination to build connection and a sense of belonging? ‘Coach’ of Adelaide Uni Football Club’s ‘F Grade’ shares: why he uses his role as “F Grade’ coach to bring people togetherthe importance of being inclusive why and how sport is a true connector and how a club can make you feel like you belong, even if you are not a playerideas on how to bring people togetherexamples of how people’s mental wellbeing has been positively impactedthe importance of bringing young people together through sport More About Damien Damien is ‘Coach’ of Adelaide Uni Football Club’s ‘F Grade’ known affectionately as the SCUM. He’s the ultimate connector and has this amazing ability to bring people together, so they feel they are included and feel they belong.

January 4, 2022 Episode #8 | Shawn Kasbergen – How To Create & What a Wellbeing Framework Looks Like Across a School From ELC – Year 12 This episode has something for everyone, whether you oversee the wellbeing of a school from ELC to Year 12, oversee the wellbeing of a primary or high school, whether you are a Principal, school leader or importantly a teacher. Director of Wellbeing of Scotch College Adelaide shares: the why and the how of creating a whole school approach to wellbeingthe schools wellbeing framework – Scotch FIT and why it’s important to name your whole school approachwhat Scotch’s whole school approach looks like, including internal and external programs the importance of student, staff and parent agency, when it comes to wellbeingstudent and staff stories of the benefits of a whole school approach to wellbeingplus tips and tricks and much more Make sure you grab a note pad and pen. More About Shawn Shawn is a passionate educator with a heart for student wellbeing. With 20 years experience and 9 years as a Senior Leader across multiple schools, Shawn has been a Head of Faculty, Head of House, a Head of Middle School and is currently the Director of student Wellbeing at Scotch College, where he has spent the last 6 years leading the College’s strategic and innovative approach to wellbeing and mental health in education. He has spoken nationally and internationally on the topics of creativity, innovation and wellbeing. On a personal level, Shawn is proud husband and father of 2 young children, an avid cyclist – racing with Norwood Cycling club, a huge NBA and AFL fan.

December 9, 2021 Episode #7 | Meagan Hart – How to Go about setting up a positive education program at your school This is a brilliant episode for educators and wellbeing leaders who are looking for ideas on how to execute wellbeing across your whole school or add to what you are already doing. Wellbeing leader Meagan Hart of Gilles Street Primary School shares: fun and unexpected ways to cultivate staff wellbeinghow to include wellbeing in the yardhow to engage students, staff and families when it comes to reviewing school values the challenges that a small wellbeing team faces and the importance of forming a supportive committeeIdeas on how to execute wellbeing across your whole school Lot’s of takeaways to apply:) More About Meagan Meagan’s career in teaching has spanned over 22 years. She started her career at The Pines Primary School in Adelaide as a Year 6/7 teacher. She spent some time at The Pines as the acting School Counsellor, and then moved to Darwin to teach. These experiences ultimately led to Meagan’s passion for working in the area of student wellbeing.   She’s currently the Student Wellbeing Leader at Gilles Street Primary School in Adelaide’s CBD and has been in this role for the last 2 years.  And she’s been appointed to the role again in 2022.  Meagan has 3 children of her own and is passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and enabling them to have a genuine voice in decisions affecting their lives.

December 2, 2021 Episode #6 | John Mannion – Insights from SA’s newest Mental Health commissioner & director of breakthrough mental health In this is a must listen for educators and sports clubs who want to understand more about the state of wellbeing amongst our young people and the role you can play. Lot’s of takeaways to apply. Also, be sure to check out how you can do the mental health first aid course. Click here for more info.  this episode I talk with John Mannion, South Australia’s newest Mental Health Commissioner and Executive Director of Breakthrough. Australia’s only foundation dedicated solely to mental health research. In this must listen conversation we discuss: the state mental wellbeing of young people across Australiasimple ways teachers can support the mental wellbeing of their studentssports clubs and their role in wellbeing challenges we face tackling wellbeingmental health first aid   More About JohnJohn Mannion is the inaugural Executive Director of Breakthrough – Australia’s only foundation dedicated solely to mental health research. John’s career in mental health has spanned more than 30 years including as a practitioner as well as leading mental health services across the state. John led the establishment of Breakthrough in 2018 which this year alone funded more than 20 leading research projects across all the state’s universities. These included projects in the areas of youth mental health, depression, indigenous mental health and eating disorders. He has also been appointed the state’s newest Mental Health Commissioner. The role will be in addition to his commitment as Executive Director for Breakthrough where he looks forward to creating a life free of mental illness by focusing upon research to inform clinical improvements, enhanced outcomes and community connectivity.

November 24, 2021 Episode #5: Mark Butler | How to Introduce a Well-being Program Into Your School From Scratch One of the biggest challenges schools face is the how. “How do we go about executing a positive education / well-being program?” If you are a school leader, well-being co-ordinator or teacher who is looking to start or add to your WHOLE school wellbeing approach, then this is a must listen. In this episode I talk with Mark Butler. Mark has recently become the Secondary Principal at Al Bateen Academy – Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prior to this appointment he was School Principal K – 12 at Al Durrah International School – Sharjah, UAE. It was here Mark introduced a whole school approach to well-being. Most of our discussion revolves around how him and his team did this. Lot’s of takeaways, great advice and ideas you can apply immediately. And before Al Durrah, Mark spend 6 years at Emirates National Schools as Head of Pastoral Care and also as Assistant Head of School.  More About MarkMark is a passionate student centred leader who grew up in rural Ireland. Although he is now leading one Abu Dhabi’s top private secondary school’s, Mark’s path to Education leadership was not via the conventional route.  As someone who failed to connect with school throughout his post primary education, Mark graduated not knowing which direction to take.  Guided by his parents he enrolled in the police force known as An Garda Siochana in Ireland. It was here where he began to find his passion for working with students, eventually finding his way into Education via Abu Dhabi where he has gone on to lead a school of 200 staff and 1200 students.  Since his time in UAE Mark has had a significant impact on school culture at each of his posts, his passion to support and develop students socially and emotionally has propelled him to the top of of a very competitive market in Abu Dhabi.

November 17, 2021 Episode #4: Dana Kerford | The World’s Leading Child Friendship Expert If you are a teacher or a sports coach who struggles with dealing with friendship issues, then this is a must listen. In this episode I talk with Dana Kerford, founder of Urstrong. A well-being program that aims to create a kinder world by empowering kids with friendship skills. We go into how to cultivate friendships, how to deal with “friendship fires” and much more. So many takeaways for you to apply. More About DanaAfter starting her career as a 4th grade teacher in Canada, Dana began to recognize the complexity of childhood friendships. Motivated to create cultures of kindness in schools, Dana launched a first-of-its-kind friendship program in 2009. Since then, URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy has improved the social climate in schools globally, connecting over 1 million kids, parents, & teachers with a common language of friendship. Dana is the go-to expert on childhood friendships and has presented at education conferences around the world.   Subscribe Recent Episodes

November 10, 2021 Episode #3: Craig Scott | How to Create the Best Junior Sports Club in Australia If you are involved in any type of Sporting Club, this episode is a MUST listen.In this episode I am talking with Craig Scott, President of the Goodwood Saints Football Club in South Australia. In 2020 the club was awarded the Good Sports National Junior Club of the year and was also runner up as a whole club in 2021. They have also received numerous other awards. The reason I wanted to get Craig on the podcast early on is because this man drives a club that focuses on the whole person. They are all about inclusion (they actually do it and not just use the word), the mental well-being of it’s players, past players and support staff. As a club, they fully understand their role as not JUST a Football Club, but as a club that develops the whole person starting right from the youngest teams. In this episode we take you through the steps and initiatives you can implement at your club. Is cost an issue? We go through how to navigate this too. More About CraigCraig is a well-known driving force behind the Goodwood Saints Football Club. Currently in his fifth year as president, his vision and guidance has seen the development of a female football program, as well as the SANFL Inclusive League, which ensures players with integration difficulties – including mental and physical disabilities – are entirely integrated into the club.Craig’s strong advocacy for social justice issues is reflected by work undertaken at the club. He’s implemented opportunities for the homeless from the Hutt Street Centre, and supported causes like the Red Shield Appeal, breast cancer and Mental Health education. Outside the football club community and since 1994, Craig has been involved in Operation Flinders, a program aimed at supporting at-risk youth. His empowering nature and leadership abilities have enabled him to create a strong, healthy and more resilient community.He was awarded the South Australia – Citizen of the Year Award 2021 at the Australia Day Awards in February and was also a finalist in the Australian of the Year – Local Hero 2021. Email: president@goodwoodsaints.com.auWebsite: Mentioned:

November 3, 2021 Episode #2: Dale Sidebottom | How To Engage Students Through Games Dale Sidebottom has been referred to as the energiser bunny of the teaching world. With his love of play, fun fitness, energy and passion for getting people moving, Dale is the created of Jugar Life, Energetic Education, Learning with Games, and the top rating educational podcast Energetic Radio. Dale has created a unique blend of fun, teamwork, wellness and movement into his keynotes, seminars and conferences which he has presented in 20 countries around the world for students and teachers. In this episode with Dale, we dive into: – what approaches work best and what hasn’t worked so well– the challenges of setting up a wellbeing program– why all schools should have a wellbeing / positive education– the future of wellbeing in school. You can contact Dale and follow him here: Email: dale@energetic.educationWebsites: | Talk: Dale’s TEDx TalkFacebook: @energeticeducationTwitter:   Subscribe Recent Episodes

November 3, 2021 Episode #1: Ash Manuel – Short Welcome and  Introduction to the Podcast In this short introductory episode Ash will talk about the reason for starting the podcast and what you can expect. You can contact Ash and follow him here: Email: info@growingwithgratitude.com.auWebsites: | @growingwithgratitudeLinkedin: