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3 University of Michigan. He is the research director of the Values in Action (VIA) Project, which is arguably the most ambitious research project to date within Positive Psychology. Dr Park is Associate Professor of Psychology at University of Michigan, and a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP). Her work in collaboration with Dr Peterson in studying character strengths and virtues is considered groundbreaking. She took the lead in developing ways to assess character strengths for children and youth and for conducting cross-cultural investigations.
4 showed kindness and support of swimmers who were trying hard and doing their best.” “I thought the men of Perry House were so supportive and generous in their encouragement and cheering. When one of our girls was a lap behind the field and you all stood up to applaud her, the other Houses followed your example. It was superb.” Year 8 students had the opportunity to explore a variety of creative, physical and emotional challenges during the four-day Year 8 Mind, Body and Spirit Conference in March. Bike riding, meditation, mural art, power thinking and facemask body scrubs complemented the chance to learn about people living with disabilities through the Scope Young Ambassadors programme. A magnificent mural has recently been installed on the eastern wall of the Middle School building, comprising 108 squares of individual art created by Year 8 students during the annual Mind, Body, Spirit Conference in both 2009 and 2010. Under the creative leadership of Ms Trudy Burney, students selected images they felt best represented their interpretation of positive attitudes toward the mind, the body and the spirit. Timbertop students and staff participated in a one and a half day Positive Education Conference during Term 1. The culmination of the conference was the Declaration of Optimism which has three charters written by the students aimed at fulfilling the pleasant, engaged and meaningful life pathways. The entire cohort of Timbertop students also 9
completed the VIA Character Strengths test and interestingly the Top 5 Character strengths for the year level are – capacity to love and be loved, humour and playfulness, curiosity and interest in the world, kindness and generosity and fairness, equity and justice. All Year 10 students and Year 10 tutors recently attended a powerful and moving play titled Love Drunk, performed by the Phunktional Theatre Group Company. The play addresses a range of issues including drug and alcohol use and abuse, sexual assault, family violence and racism. The students engaged with the performance and then participated in discussion groups facilitated by their tutor.
Visiting Scholars It was wonderful to have ‘old friends’ Dr Chris Peterson and Dr Nansook Park visit us recently. Chris and Nansook had an extended stay with us in mid-2008 as part of the Positive Psychology Visiting Scholars programme, so they were very interested to see and hear about the developments that have taken place since. They were able to stay at Corio for five days, which provided plenty of opportunity for them to speak with staff informally, share their knowledge about the latest developments and trends in Positive Psychology and engage with students to hear their thoughts about Positive Psychology and Positive Education. Dr Peterson is Professor of Psychology and Organizational Studies and former Director of Clinical Training at the
We were grateful that Professor Felicia Huppert, Director of the Cambridge University’s Wellbeing Institute was able to visit the School in February. Felicia was a keynote speaker at the 2nd Australian Positive Psychology conference held at Monash University in February. During her visit, Felicia gave a presentation to staff members on her work in the areas of Wellbeing and Flourishing. She presented the findings of the UK Foresight’s Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project, which she was actively involved in. The project commissioned the development of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’, which were found to be: Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning and Give. A Year 11 Positive Education Focus Day will be designed by a committee of staff and students and delivered later this term around these important themes. 1. Year 8 students participated in a four-day Mind, Body and Spirit conference in March. L to R: Ted Strapp, Jed Vocale, Will Griffiths and Jack Boyle 2. L to R: Lydia Mackinlay Campbell, Ethan Purcell, Alex Tyrwhitt, Lucy Nock, Joey George and Walter Lawrence completing a team-building activity called The Timetable during the Timbertop conference 3. Perry House students supporting, cheering and chanting during the Senior School House Swimming carnival 4. Students workshopping the three charters for the Declaration of Optimism during the Positive Education Conference in Term 1
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