Newsletter Spring 2009

National Child Protection Week September 8^th to 14^th marks the start of a 2 month campaign to engage the whole of Australia in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. NAPCAN is calling on all Australian adults to start thinking about this issue and how to solve it. They aim to 'bring the walls down' - the walls of fear, ignorance, denial and disinterest. From 6^th September to 1^st November have your say by completing an on-line survey of community attitudes which will help in planning effective prevention strategies. To complete the survey go to www.preventingchildabuse.com.au Tell your friends and colleagues. If they don't have the internet they can phone 1800 126 456. Site and lines open from 6^th September 2009 - please note in your diary.

You are invited to attend a breakfast during NCPW to launch this campaign. Check out what is happening in your state or territory on: http://www.napcan.org.au/campaigns/child-protection-week The breakfast in Sydney is on Wednesday September 9^th at Parliament House starting at 7.30 am. Tickets are $70 and available from the following link or phone 136 100. http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/NAPCAN-Charity-tickets/artist/1055683

Cyber Safety. There is a growing concern about cyber bullying that needs to be addressed. Erebus International, along with Dr Toni Noble and Dr Helen McGrath are conducting a review of the National Safe Schools Framework. The review project commenced in April 2009 and is due for completion in mid- 2010.

The 4^th Biennial conference for the National Centre Against Bullying is also addressing this issue. Navigating the Maze: Cyber-Bullying and Wellbeing Solutions for Schools April 8-10 Melbourne

Circle Time Solutions Trainer Programs are taking place in Adelaide on October 9^th and 10^th, Sydney October 16^th and 17^th (limited availability) and Melbourne December 4^th and 5^th. This provides materials and on-going support to enable the ten participants to train staff and embed CTS in their own schools. Prior attendance at an Introduction to Circle Time is required. This includes Inyahead training. There is an Introduction to Circle Time prior to all Trainer programs. Enquiries here.

South Australia: There is a wealth of information, resources and reflections on the new South Australia Learner Wellbeing Website. It is well worth having a look at this for ideas to share and develop http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/learnerwellbeing

In the meantime read Pip Field's report on the Wellbeing for Learning Inquiry Showcase where Patrick Duignan was the main speaker.

The McCaughey Centre: VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The August newsletter features a recent roundtable exploring the links between family violence and social inclusion and the Centre's work in child health and wellbeing; You can download newsletters from this link: http://www.mccaugheycentre.unimelb.edu.au/news/newsletters

EdWell is a new networking organization, launched on 30^th June at the Mindmatters Conference in New Brighton. The aim is to bring education and health professionals closer together to promote mental health in schools and to influence policy. The main drivers for this initiative are the Hunter Institute of Mental Health and Principals Australia. Several members of Wellbeing Australia are involved. We will link to their website when it is established.

Check it out: New to the site is the Ofsted Report from the UK which talks about the value of nurture groups in schools to prevent the exclusion of young children. Want to know more?
http://www.nurturegroups.org/pages/what_is_a_nurture_group.html

Read the report on the site from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare "Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia's children and young people."

Conferences: Upcoming conferences that may be of interest:

2009

APPCAN Asia Pacific Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Perth November 15^th - 18^th http://www.apccan2009.org.au/index.html

2010

2^nd Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Conference: Monash University 12-13^th February http://www.positivepsychologyaustralia.org/

The Happiness and its Causes Conference 5-6^th May Sydney - features, amongst others, Barbara Fredrickson and Naomi Wolf http://www.happinessanditscauses.com.au/

The Positive Schools Conference Fremantle Friday 21^st May http://www.positiveschools.com.au/index.html