Hannah Thomas, Director of Professional Learning

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As staff returned to School we held multiple Staff PD sessions. We began with a vital, interactive session focused on developing a whole-school wellbeing approach, exploring the markers of wellbeing and the systems in place to support students’ wellbeing at Cranbrook’s Senior School and Junior School. The learning experience, facilitated by Laura Brennan from AISNSW and Angelique Sanders, Cranbrook’s Director of Student Wellbeing, emphasised that social and emotional learning outcomes are predictors of adult outcomes by the age of 10, reinforcing the importance of a consistent, cross-campus approach to students’ wellbeing.

We also heard an engaging and energising keynote speech by Andrew May that explored what it takes do ‘do an inside job’ on yourself, using the latest neuroscience and principles of performance psychology to empower Cranbrook staff to prioritise their own wellbeing and thrive in high pressure situations. Andrew’s inspirational presentation outlined strategies for training body and mind to both “fire up” (through techniques such as power breathing) and downregulate (through box breathing and mindfulness). The keynote also outlined the benefits of resetting circadian rhythm and Andrew shared a variety of approaches for accomplishing this.

Hannah Thomas
Director of Professional Learning