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    Connection IS The Content: A Pathway to Wellbeing

    Mark Collard is an experiential trainer, author and founder of playmeo, the ultimate toolkit of icebreakers, energisers and team-building activities, used by thousands of teachers worldwide. This interatctive session explores tghe latest science and reserach which supports and encourages the intentional development of wellbeing as the central focus of group-based programs. This session presents a series of fun group activities which can easily be integrated into your exitsing curriculum to help your students feel valued, supported included. 

    Presenter: Mark Collard, Experiential Traininer, Author and CEO of Playmeo

    Last updated: 11/08/2026

    Fun is the method. Wellbeing is the outcome. Connection is everything.

    The science is in: educational programs which intentionally develop trusting & healthy relationships outperform all other curricula on so many levels: greater participation, improved academic performance, stronger communities & extremely happy students.

    Here’s the good news: building that connection doesn’t have to be serious work. This interactive, hands-on workshop is your permission slip to play. We will explore the latest wellbeing research and then get straight into a collection of fun, field-tested group games and activities designed to build real connection, the kind that makes students feel valued, supported and excited to show up. Activities that work just as well online as they do in person, and that slot easily into your existing curriculum without adding to your load.

    Key topics and timestamps:

    2:32: Speaker introduction and example ice breaker game ("Mr & Mrs Wright" left/right story game)

    8:12: Example of getting to know one another game: Blind portrait drawing + guessing game

    13:08: "Identity numbers" activity (personal meaning behind chosen numbers)

    21:14: "Would you rather" preference poll (5 forced-choice questions) game using Zoom polls

    28:35: Connection vs belonging vs trust (a framework)

    34:02: Core theory: "connect before content" (Peter Block) + "environment dictates performance," with supporting research (participation, academic outcomes, longitudinal wellbeing study)

    43:00: "Dinner with a Michelle/David" activity. Using the "curiosity ping pong" technique

    48:53: playmeo resources: free activity database, energiser ebook, YouTube channel, books, contact info

    54:18: Q&A and participant reflections

    Acknowledgement & Copyright Notice

    We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the presenters contributing to PESA's digital PD & Learning Program, and their commitment to sharing their knowledge, expertise and experience.

    Please note these presentations include our presenters’ intellectual property, which has taken many years to build. Presentations are available for viewing by PESA members only, and proper attribution to the presenter/s must be made. Members are not authorised to share presentation links without prior written consent from the relevant presenter/s.

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