In the news...
Highlighting stories and good ideas from New Zealand and abroad.
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Creating rainbow-inclusive schools
Research in New Zealand and overseas has shown that young people who identify as part of the rainbow community are more likely to experience bullying and mental health issues.
Creating rainbow-inclusive schools, Education Gazette, Volume 98, Number 13(external link)
Out on the Shelves
Books by rainbow authors, with rainbow themes and characters, feature in an online resource which gives members of the LGBTQIA+ community the opportunity to read stories about themselves.
Out on the Shelves, Education Gazette, Volume 98, Number 13(external link)
Inclusive cultures and pastoral care help students reach full potential
Guidance counsellors in Otago schools are using a range of initiatives, such as mindfulness exercises and peer support, to encourage students to be inclusive, socially confident and build positive relationships with each other.
Inclusive cultures and pastoral care, Education Gazette, Volume 98, Number 12(external link)
Supporting students with a parent in prison
In New Zealand approximately 23,000 children and young people have a parent in prison. An early childhood teacher travelled to six countries to understand how to best support the education of these students and found a lot can be done.
Supporting students with a parent in prison, Education Gazette, Volume 98, Number 9(external link)
Rototuna High School students stand up to bullying
Students create the True Colours Club, a groups aimed at creating a safe zone for students at school.
NZ Herald, Hamilton News, 31 May 2019(external link)
Pink Shirt Day stories(external link)
Onekawa School's new buddy benches to reduce loneliness and encourage friendship
Creating great way to share the message of inclusion and kindness.
NZ Herald, 19 May 2019(external link)
Steps to a bullying-free school
Learning how to understand those who are different from oneself is at the heart of Te Awa School’s bullying prevention culture.
Steps to a bullying-free school, Education Gazette, Volume 98, Number 7(external link)
The Paper Doll Project
An initiative conceived by two Papamoa students aims to promote acceptance and diversity in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks.
The Paper Doll Project, Education Gazette, Volume 98, Number 6(external link)
Students say what makes a good life
More than 6,000 young Kiwis have identified in a recently released report what wellbeing means to them.
Letz Lead: Young prison team leads anti-bullying campaign
Behind prison walls, a team of young men has created an award-winning resource to start conversations about an important issue.
Instagram and Netsafe release guide for NZ parents
A Parent's Guide to Instagram (external link)is an initiative by the social media giant and online safety organisation Netsafe. It gives parents tips to help their children protect themselves online - whether they have 20 followers or 200,000.
NZ Herald, 5 February 2019(external link)
Too much pressure on young people to be happy
The messages young people see and hear about happiness can affect their mental health. The author of Stuff That Sucks says it is okay to experience emotions that are sometimes difficult and we can learn ways to help ourselves through.
Student-led approach to bullying prevention getting results internationally
The head of a successful anti-bullying campaign in British schools recently visited Auckland to talk about the key strategy behind the campaign and how it is turning the tide.
Creating safer online environments
The free Netsafe Kit, part of the new 2018 Netsafe Schools Programme, can help teachers and schools to understand and address the behaviours that cause online bullying.
Creating safer online environments, Education Gazette, ISSUE: VOLUME 97, NUMBER 19(external link)
Embrace it!
A new campaign developed by students at Thames High School aims to remove the power from bullies by nurturing confidence and self-esteem in those they target.
Five ways to improve student wellbeing
The Mental Health Foundation is encouraging teachers to plan activities throughout the year to improve students’ wellbeing.
Testing the new Sparklers resource
Students at Breens Intermediate School were the first to test the new Sparklers resources for Year 7 and 8 students, and the school is noticing a difference.
Students link wellbeing to learning
Earlier this year, a report looking at the emotional wellbeing of students was released as part of the ‘Education matters to me’ series.
Student-led drive to stop bullying
After student voice captured in their Wellbeing@school survey identified bullying as a major concern, Kaitaia College have developed a student-led intiative to change school culture permanently.