RAVENSWOOD
|
SEMPER – Bi -annua l magaz i ne of the Ravenswood commun i ty
8
LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS
The founder of Positive Psychology, Professor Martin Seligman,
and his colleagues at the Positive Psychology Centre at the
University of Pennsylvania, undertake ongoing research into the
factors that enable individuals and communities to flourish.
Ravenswood’s Principal, Anne Johnstone, is one of only 39
applicants admitted to study for a Master’s degree in Applied
Positive Psychology (MAPP) with Professor Seligman and other
luminaries including Angela Duckworth, the author of
Grit
.
Her course companions are drawn from a wide variety of
professions across the world and Anne is the only chosen
participant from Australia. Anne is excited about being able to
use her growing knowledge to further contribute to educational
innovation at Ravenswood and help our students to fulfil their
potential and flourish. Professor Martin Seligman will himself
visit Ravenswood to present on Positive Psychology to staff,
students, families and the wider community in August next year.
OUR DIRECTOR OF POSITIVE EDUCATION
AND WELLBEING
The Ravenswood Wellbeing Team is led by Director of Positive
Education and Wellbeing, KimBence who began at Ravenswood
in May 2016. Kim most recently held the senior leadership
position of Director of Positive Education (ELC–12) at Loreto
Mandeville Hall, a preeminent Catholic Independent school
for girls in Melbourne.
Kim has fulfilled a range of senior leadership positions
including Dean of Students (P–12), VCE Coordinator, Year 12
Coordinator, Head of Faculty and Director of Sport. Kim has
been a representative on the Executive Committee of Girls Sport
Victoria and the Education Boards of local primary schools.
She holds a Master of Education (Student Wellbeing) and has
completed the Professional Certificate of Education (Positive
Education) at the University of Melbourne.
Kim presented at the International Positive Education Network
Festival in Dallas Texas in July on Positive Education and
organisational change. Earlier in the year she presented at
the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA) National
Conference in Victoria.
RAVENSWOOD HOSTS NATIONAL POSITIVE
EDUCATION CONFERENCE
We are delighted to have been chosen to host the third Positive
Education Schools’ Association (PESA) conference on 17-18 March
2017. The event brings together national and international Positive
Psychology researchers, teachers, students and practitioners and will
feature a range of sought-after speakers like Caroline Adams-Miller,
Professor LeaWaters, Professor Felicia Huppert andMichelleMcQuaid.
OUR RARE PARTNERSHIP WITH
PROFESSOR LEA WATERS
Ravenswood has also begun a significant three-year partnership
with Professor Lea Waters, the founding Director of the Centre
for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. We will
work closely with Professor Waters to adapt her Visible Wellbeing
Instructional Model to the Ravenswood environment, shifting
wellbeing from a subjective, internal experience occurring
within
students to a tangible, observable phenomenon that is visible in
class for both staff and girls. Our staff will be trained to apply this
approach across all subject
matter. Students will learn
the skills of wellbeing through
Positive Education classes,
which will be complimented
by our Visible Wellbeing
approach to teaching, that
makes the very act of teaching
a factor that builds wellbeing.
In essence, Visible Wellbeing
brings positive education to
life.
Ravenswood is the only
school in NSW and one of
only ten in the country to
partner with Professor
Waters in this approach.
Professor Martin Seligman and Mrs Anne Johnstone
Mrs Kim Bence
Professor Lea Waters
