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The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AISTL) has released a draft Australian Charter for the Professional Learning of Teachers and School Leaders. The Charter focuses on improving teacher and school leader professional practice through ongoing professional learning, directly assessing and supporting the National Professional Standards for Teachers and Principals.

ENSEC publishes The International Journal of Emotional Education and has a biennial conference. Non-Europeans can be associate members for free - signup on their website here. Their latest newsletter includes a brief report from the 2011 conference, which was attended by several members of Wellbeing Australia.

Available for download here. Includes an audience survey, and articles on Why social and emotional learning matters, Everyone has a role to play ... and many others.

Australia's first National Professional Standard for Principals was endorsed by Ministers at the Standing Council of Education and Early Childhood on 8 July 2011. The Standard sets out what principals are expected to know, understand and do, to achieve in their work. It is represented as an interdependent and integrated model that recognises three leadership requirements that a principal draws upon within five areas of professional practice. For more information visit http://www.aitsl.edu.au/national-professional-standard-for- principals.html

There are only a few more days left to comment on the General Capabilties consultation.  If you haven't already, go to: http://consultation.australiancurriculum.edu.au/

Located in Brisbane, this is a position commencing immediately until December 2011. Project funding is likely to continue after this period. The successful applicant will provide professional development and in-school support to secondary schools across QLD on whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing using MindMatters.

Now published and available here. Included in this issue: - MindMatters on YouTube; - MindMatters impact; - Self Injury Guide for Schools book; - Working with Indigenous youth (Feeling Deadly not Shame); - Student Empowerment - what's happening around Australia? - School Stories - how has MindMatters helped WA's Mt Barker College; - Latest News by state and territory

Researchers from the Cooperative Research Centre for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing supported a group of young people as they developed and delivered a cybersafety education workshop for a group of parents with teenage children. This research demonstrated that young people are much better equipped to deal with online risks than adults assume and that young people themselves are the most valuable resource for adults concerned about the online safety of their children. The interactive media release is available here: http://www.interactivemediarelease.com/ogilvy/yawcrc. It contains short explanatory videos and links to the research reports.

All members should have received their copy of the WBA Newsletter Autumn 2011.pdf - if not, you may need to check your spam filter will let files through from mail@wellbeingaustralia.com.au !

is evidence that our youth are well-adjusted, have a strong set of values and place enormous importance on family relationships. And apart from shouldering a range of serious concerns - both personal and for the nation - young Australians are overwhelmingly positive about the future.

At more than 50,000 participants, this is the biggest annual stocktake of young people in the country. The survey flies in the face of popular stereotypes of Generation Y as shallow and materialistic. But it's not all good news. This year's survey has also uncovered some serious issues we, as a community, need to address ... 

The survey results can be downloaded from http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/downloads/national-survey-of-young-australians/271-2010

This study commissioned by the Australian Government is now on the DEEWR website. The final report is at this link, and the literature review here. It explores the relationship between student wellbeing and academic achievement.It outlines seven pathways to enhance student wellbeing and learning.

Highlights of a major report from CASEL (July 2010) showing that students who are involved in SEL programs at school make improvements in diverse areas.  The quality of implementation is crucial.  You can download this here.http://www.casel.org/downloads/Meta-analysis_summary.pdf
You may also be interested in reading about the Academic, Social and Emotional Learning Act  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4223

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.

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.