We know when these principles are supported by a strong sense of community and positive partnerships between students, parents, and the broader community, their impact is magnified, leading to enhanced wellbeing as well as academic and personal success.

Earlier in the term we focused on gratitude, an element that falls under ‘strengths’ and‘ emotional management’ within the SEARCH model, and which will be prominent within our developing wellbeing framework. Research in Positive Psychology and education has shown that cultivating gratitude can have a significant impact on the wellbeing and learning engagement of both students and the greater community. When we focus on the positives, we are more likely to feel satisfied and motivated. Research shows that regular practice of gratitude helps us to develop a more positive mindset, which is crucial for personal success and growth. A collective focus on gratitude nurtures a supportive environment where people feel valued and motivated. Our pastoral program ensures that every individual is valued, supported, and empowered. By incorporating gratitude practices into our daily routines and greater school community, we can continue to cultivate a nurturing environment where wellbeing is at the forefront and evident within our wellbeing framework.

More recently our staffing community focused on positive emotions, linking to Lea Waters’ SEARCH Framework, in particular Emotional Management, which highlights how positive emotions can expand our thinking and promote creative and exploratory behaviours. For our students, this can contribute to enhanced learning experiences and for our staff and broader community, providing a stronger connection and sense of belonging within our daily lives.
Positive emotions like joy, love, savouring, curiosity, and hope are not just feel-good experiences; they are fundamental to effective functioning.

By integrating the SEARCH Framework into our practices and utilising the evidence within our developing wellbeing framework, we can continue to cultivate an environment where positive emotions are harnessed to enhance learning and wellbeing. This approach will not only impact our students learning, but also help our students, staff and broader community navigate the emotional and social skills required for a thriving community.

Along with gratitude and positive emotions, another element of focus for our community has been resilience. Developing resilience involves cultivating a growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort and perseverance. Students who understand that their abilities can improve with effort are more likely to embrace challenges and learn from failures. 

Teaching resilience involves equipping students with coping strategies. Techniques such as mindfulness and stress management can help students handle pressure and recover from setbacks more effectively. Encouraging self-reflection and providing constructive feedback further supports this development, helping students to view challenges as integral to the learning process.

We know that building resilience is a community effort. We were fortunate to have Justin Robinson join us for our Parent Seminar in May as we discussed resilience within our community, and how we can all contribute to building resilience. Following this, our staffing community shared resilience in practice here at Ivanhoe Girls’, discussing a range of examples where our students and staff exhibit resilience every day. How lucky we are to be a part of a community that is thriving!

We at Ivanhoe Girls’ are committed to embedding these practices into our daily routines and encouraging our community to join us. Embracing the principles of Positive Psychology prepares students not only for academic challenges but also equips them with essential life skills, paving the way for their future lives. I am certainly grateful for our community, the continued care shown in all interactions, and the beautiful campus we get to enjoy. As we look ahead, I encourage us all to continue building these practices together, fostering a thriving, resilient, and courageous community.

Ms Karlie Payne
Director of Student Wellbeing