Series: Wellbeing and Positive Relationships


A collection of ten professional development workshops throughout the year discussing student and teacher wellbeing matters in schools. Each session considers common, but often difficult to manage, scenarios. More than anything else, the workshops are designed to empower teachers to help their students navigate through difficult journey towards adulthood.

Who for? Teachers across years 4 to 10 in Australia and New Zealand.

Cost? $195 AUD in total for ten sessions. Schools receive a 25% discount for orders of 4 teachers or more.

Panellists

Dr Hayley Watson - a leading child and adolescent psychologist and founder of the mental health curriculum program Open Parachute.
Dr Hayley Watson - Hayley is a leading child and adolescent psychologist. She is the founder of Open Parachute, a video-based mental health curriculum program aimed at reducing prejudice and overcoming trauma that is running in schools across Australia, Canada, and US. The online wellbeing programs are designed to support the mental health of students, parents, and teachers with separate programs for school years 5 through 12.
Melissa Benge - a positive relationships behaviour management specialist at Heatley Secondary College, Townsville - a school with many students coming from highly disadvantaged circumstances.
Melissa Benge - Melissa is a positive relationships behaviour management specialist at Heatly Secondary College, Townsville. The school has a significant percentage of students coming from highly disadvantaged and often traumatic circumstances. There is also a large indigenous population at the school. Melissa is an Advanced Classroom Profiling Instructor and Teacher Coach and Facilitator for Positive Culture for Learning. Prior to moving to Townsville in 2011, Melissa taught in a number of Victorian schools across both primary and secondary levels.
Rob Higginbotham - Deputy Head of Middle School (Wellbeing) at Burgmann Anglican School, Canberra. Rob is committed to assisting young people to become the best version of themselves.
Rob Higginbotham - Rob is the Deputy Head of Middle School (Wellbeing) at Burgmann Anglican School in Canberra which follows a Positive Education philosophy. For the last fifteen years he has worked in Government, Catholic and Independent schools across Years 6-12. Rob has a passion for assisting young people to become the best version of themselves. Rob is also married to a teacher and he has three school aged children.
Rhiannon McGee - Head of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School. Rhiannon is committed to developing, implementing and sustaining a whole school approach to Positive Education.
Rhiannon McGee - Head of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School. Rhiannon is committed to developing, implementing and sustaining a whole school approach to Positive Education. She is passionate about the promotion of community wellbeing and furthering the field of positive education. This has led her to complete the Masters of Education (Student Wellbeing), the Professional Certificate in Positive Education and the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Rhiannon is also an English teacher with an interest in the contemplative traditions, the arts, music and travel.
Adriano Di Prato (Moderator) - a founding partner of a School for tomorrow, a global educational network supporting students, teachers, and school leaders to thrive in a new world environment. He is also the host of Game Changers, Australia’s leading educational podcast focused on changing the game of school.
Adriano Di Prato - Adriano is a founding partner of a School for tomorrow, a global educational network supporting students, teachers, and school leaders to thrive in a new world environment. He is also the host of Game Changers, Australia’s leading educational podcast focused on changing the game of school. Adriano, with his partners are the architects of the Wellness By Design® framework. He is a former President of the Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals Association and former Deputy Principal of Marcellin College, Bulleen and Caroline Chisholm Catholic College.
When? The virtual series will take place between 3:45 pm and 4:30 pm (Sydney / Melbourne time) over ten Wednesdays throughout the year. Participants will be able to view recordings if they are not able to attend live and have access to the sharing forum between workshops.
Schedule (Replay facility for those who are unable to attend live)
Workshop One
17 Mar 21

Bullying
Scenario: For the last 18 months Emily has been experiencing moderate bullying at school. A number of strategies have been put in place to improve the situation, with limited impact. Recently there have been a series of highly negative anonymous social media posts targeting the ring leader of the bullying and you suspect that Emily is the author. (More)
Workshop Two
31 Mar 21

Dealing with Loss and Trauma
Scenario: Kyle has just returned to school following the tragic loss of his mother. He’s a lot quieter than before and says that he doesn’t want to talk about the situation. (More)
Workshop Three
5 May 21

Teenagehood
Scenario: Alexi has always been such a beautifully mannered, positive girl, however upon returning from summer holidays there are some significant changes in her look and general demeanour. Teenagehood has well and truly set in. You are not surprised that on only day two Alexi has a major outburst directed at a teacher. (More)
Workshop Four
26 May 21

Burnout
Scenario: Sandra used to be the most passionate of teachers, loving nothing more than helping her students succeed. Now she’s just exhausted. (More)
Workshop Five
16 Jun 21

Friendless, lonely
Scenario: Daniel is quiet and he is no bother in class. Daniel is not bullied, but he is friendless. He is lonely. How can you help? (More)
Workshop Six
28 Jul 21

Parent on the Attack
Scenario: You’ve spoken to Indra’s parents about the lack of progress of their child and they’ve replied that it’s all your fault. (More)
Workshop Seven
18 Aug 21

Special Needs
Scenario: Zac requires a highly individualised management program and for the most part it's going pretty well. Recently, a few of the other students who got in trouble for being disruptive, have been saying it’s not fair and that Zac wouldn’t get into trouble if he did the same thing. (More)
Workshop Eight
8 Sep 21

Cutting and Self-harm
Scenario: Two of Maisy’s friends have come to you and expressed concern that Maisy has taken to cutting herself. (More)
Workshop Nine
13 Oct 21

Consequence Apathy
Scenario: Riley does not seem to care about any possible consequences his school could invoke. He is not bothered by low grades or the possibility of suspension or expulsion. Riley has occasionally, loosely used the expression, “Maybe I’ll just kill myself”. Riley’s parents are supportive, but do not know what to do. (More)
Workshop Ten
3 Nov 21

Perfection Orientated
Scenario: Ashley has always been an ultra high achiever. Anything other than full marks is a concern for Ashley and her family. Recently you have been challenging Ashley with appropriately more difficult learning experiences and she is not responding well to it. (More)

Series: Reluctant to Engaged Writers


A collection of ten professional development workshops heavily focused on best practical tips for improving writing outcomes in the primary and middle years. It brings together expert teachers who share strategies that they have found to be most effective in engaging writers.


Who for? Teachers across years 3 to 8 in Australia and New Zealand.

Cost? $195 AUD in total for ten sessions. Schools receive a 25% discount for orders of 4 teachers or more.

Panellists

Anita Knight
Sunnybrae Normal School - Auckland
30 years teaching experience, New Zealand & internationally
Allison Wheatley
Corpus Christi Catholic School - Hobart
Teaching writing specialist
Each episode includes a guest expert teacher.
When? The virtual series will take place between 3:45 pm and 4:15 pm (Sydney / Melbourne time) over ten Wednesdays throughout the year. Participants will be able to view recordings if they are not able to attend live and have access to the sharing forum between workshops.
Schedule (Replay facility for those who are unable to attend live)
Workshop One
10 Mar 21

Motivating Young Writers
Authentic, purposeful and fun writing opportunities
Special Guest
Jen McVeity
CEO and Founder of Seven Steps to Writing Success
Workshop Two
24 Mar 21

Community of Authors
Building a positive culture for writing
Special Guest
Louise Dempsey
Teacher, consultant and literacy trainer in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Louise is the co-founder of The Literacy Place and the co-author of The Writing Book (2013), The Oral Language Book (2016) and The Reading Book (2019).
Workshop Three
28 Apr 21

Engaging Boys
Strategies to overcome the gender writing gap
Special Guest
Phillip Simpson
Teacher and author of Motivating Boys’ Writing
Workshop Four
19 May 21

Narrating for Impact
Using oral language to enrich writing experiences
Special Guest
Emilie Zoey Baker
Award-winning Australian poet, educator, slam nerd and spoken-word performer.
Workshop Five
2 Jun 21

Powerful Prompts and Micro Stories
Creating writing experiences to maximise the chances of students being proud of their writing
Special Guest
Paul Grover
Education lecturer, former English Coordinator and textbook author
Workshop Six
21 Jul 21

Goals, Criteria and Feedback
Writing goals, co-constructing criteria and providing supportive feedback
Special Guest
Dr Murray Gadd
Literacy facilitator, teacher and researcher who works across New Zealand and around the world with school leaders and teachers
Special Guest
Nirelle Armstrong
Literacy Curriculum Leader and mentor teacher at Milford School, Auckland
Workshop Seven
11 Aug 21

Exemplars and Modelled Writing
Extending writing through exemplars and modelled writing
Special Guest
Professor David Waugh
Lecturer at University of Durham, former Deputy Headteacher and author of The Wishroom, which was written with 45 children
Workshop Eight
1 Sep 21

The Power of Peers
Collaboration, feedback and celebrating writing
Special Guest
Lauren Glass
Literacy Curriculum Leader at Farm Cove Intermediate, Auckland
Workshop Nine
20 Oct 21

Technology to Boost Writing
Maximising writing through the use of technology Special Guests
Katy Pike
Author of over 120 literacy and maths texts along with overseeing the development of Reading Eggs, Reading Eggspress, Reading Eggs Jr, Mathseeds and Fast Phonics.
Shane Hill
Creator of programs including Storyathon, Writing Legends, Skoolbo, Spellodrome and Mathletics.
Workshop Ten
10 Nov 21

The writing workshop approach
Choice, mini lessons and valuable routines
Special Guest
Suzanne Kiraly
English Teacher, author and Flash Fiction Festival Coordinator
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About Us - Inspirity

We are passionate about assisting teachers and students. Our team is made up of educators, technologists and designers. Our suite of programs include Skoolbo, Storyathon, Writing Legends, Friday Brain Games and Chess Squad. We are thrilled that programs we have made have been used by millions of students.
The launch of Teacher Workshop Series is an exciting step on our learning journey.

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Contact Us - Inspirity

Inspirity Australia Pty Ltd
4 Warung Street
McMahons Point, NSW, 2060
Australia

info@TeacherWorkshopSeries.com