Science is only just beginning to understand the extraordinary capacity of the brain to change and develop. The implications for how we learn, work and care for one another are profound. Mind & Its Potential is your opportunity to hear the world's top scientists, psychologists and philosophers explain how to apply the new science of the brain in education, medicine, business and your life. More information at mindanditspotential.com.au

Consultation is open until the end of May 2010. There is an Online Survey, plus national and state forums, Join in if and where you can, and mention the need for wellbeing and SEL to be part of the Curriculum!

How are we to work, teach our children, care for others, contribute to society and create a life of happiness and well-being? Each year, over 2,000 people from all walks of life meet at Happiness & Its Causes to examine the big issues of life. The conference brings together the world's top psychologists, scientists, philosopher's and thinkers to explain practical strategies to enhance the happiness of yourself and others. More information at happinessanditscauses.com.au

Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul ... Full day workshop in Sydney on April 24th, evening lectures in Melbourne on April 25th and Brisbane on April 27th. Download a leaflet with further details here, or go to deepakchopratour.com

The 2010 conference promises to give schools evidence-based information and strategies about cyber safety, how to use the new technologies to enhance learning, and ways to improve student wellbeing. More information at ncab.org.au/ConferenceInfo/

President Sarkozy of France is promising a 'revolution' in the way we measure social progress.  He says we need a change of emphasis from GDP to wellbeing and sustainability...in ways that don't damage the planet.  Read more about this here. 

Young children can be placed on a downward slippery slope by being categorised as 'naughty' in their early days at school.  Read the recent research by Maggie MacClure and Liz Jones here.

Navigating the Maze: Cybersafety and wellbeing solutions for schools - 4th Biennial NCAB Conference, Hilton on the Park--Melbourne, 8-10 April 2010. More details here.

Family Relationship Services Australia 2nd National Conference 'Children and Families: Reducing Risk, Building Resilience', 24 - 26 November 2009, Sydney NSW. More details here

Circle Time Solutions is a way of maximising engagement, improving behaviour and relationships and increasing resilience.  Recent research points to the effectiveness of CTS so long as the facilitation is in accordance with the principles of inclusion, respect and safety.
October 30th: Free Seminar for School Leaders at Penrith District Office
November 27th:  Introduction to Circle Time Solutions: Sydney
December 2nd : Introduction to Circle TIme Solutions: Brisbane (run by Pearson)
December 3rd:   Introduction to Circle Time Solutions: Melbourne (run by Pearson)
December 4the and 5th.  Circle Solutions Trainer Program (to embed and sustain Circles and Wellbeing in your school)  Melbourne:  (run by Inyahead)
Enquiries here.

The Spring 2009 Wellbeing Australia newsletter includes an invitation to a breakfast in National Child Protection Week early September and encouragement to complete a survey linked to the prevention of child abuse. You will also find information on other organisations promoting wellbeing, upcoming conferences, cyber safety and a new circle time trainer program.  Feel free to distribute.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have released a report entitled "Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia's children and young people" You can download specific sections from this website.

About the importance of friends, relationships with teachers and their participation in the learning environment? This recent (June 2009) report from the NSW Commission for Children and Young People shows how important schools are to children's wellbeing and ways in which they can either promote or undermine this. NSW children talk about school.pdf

Values in Action: Shaping Positive Futures: 30 April & 1 May: report from Sue Cahill

According to a new UK Ofsted report, excluding young children just passes on the problem - children need connection, not exclusion. It's a challenging notion for many teachers but we need to think through how to intervene to promote positive cycles of resilience and pro-social behaviour, not reinforce negative behaviours.

The Director of Education at Ofsted, UK Miriam Rosen, was on BBC Radio talking about their report and said that Nurture Groups were an effective strategy to prevent exclusions and a positive way to work with children.  There are items on the Times and BBC online news sites.