Launching of the Anxiety Project for NSW Public Schools 2024-2025 schools A child anxiety solution for NSW public schools Interested? A whole-school community approach to managing anxiety and building resilience in NSW primary school students. The NSW Primary Principals’ Association is calling for expressions of interest from NSW public schools with K – 6 enrolments to be part of an evidence-based school community program to raise skills within the school and with parents to address the impact of childhood anxiety on school engagement and learning. Well-respected psychologist, author and former teacher, Michael Hawton, has partnered with the NSWPPA to tailor a professional learning program to implement classroom strategies for managing anxiety and building resilience in the classroom. Parent training is also a component of the program. Introduced at the NSWPPA 2021 Term 2 State Council, the project proposal was well-received by principaldelegates who recognised that most of the five themes of the High Impact Professional Learning Policy and the eight themes of What Works Best 2020 were embedded into the project design, including a research component, instructional leader support, parent engagement and the establishment of a professional learning community.
Benefits to the school Schools will be provided specialist training for Implementation Coaches and ongoing support to implement the program in your school. Including: •lesson plans for teachers, •training for all school staff, •parent and school resources to inform and encourage your school community, support a cultural change in your school, •ongoing implementation support to ensure continuity, •access to a network of schools in the program.
Commitment by the school principal For an overview of the project intent and design please access information on the NSWPPA website and refer questions to the NSWPPA email address or to the NSWPPA State Executive. Principals should consider the following project criteria before submitting an expression of interest. SYDNEY 8 Your commitment:
11, 12 & 13 September 6, 7 & 8 November 2023
1.You will be required to attend an online project delivery briefing prior to potentially being offered an invitation to participate. 2.You will review school practices, policies and procedures around making accommodations for anxious children and promote a school ‘have-a-go’ culture where anxious behaviours are challenged. 3.You and at least 80% of your staff (teachers and SLSOs) will implement the change program in REGISTER @ your school community, following training. All teachers and SLSOs at your school will participate in training. Teacher training, led by Parentshop, involves three after school sessions via Zoom. SLSO training, led by your implementation coach, involves a full day of training within school hours. Parent training, led by your implementation coach or through self-paced online learning is also available to further support parents.
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning