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Related Resources
App
Matter Neuroscience
This app uses new research on brain chemistry to create a personalised, drug-free approach to boosting everyday happiness. Author/Source: Matter Neuroscience
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Optimism, Hope and Goals
“A rainbow is a prism that sends shards of multicolored light in various directions. It lifts our spirits and makes us think of what is possible. Hope is the same – a personal rainbow of the mind.” - C. R. Snyder Author: PESA with contributions from Dr Rachel Colla
Webinar/Video
Online PD 2026
Co-designing a Student-Led Wellbeing Conference in the Middle Years
Presented by Ed McInnes: Wellbeing Leader-Year 7, Scotch College, Adelaide. Empowering middle years students to research, lead, and share wellbeing with their community.
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PD Wrap Up
2026 PD Wrap Up: Co-designing a Student-Led Wellbeing Conference in the Middle Years
Building on our Term 1 focus of cultivating a thriving community from day one, we welcomed Edward McInnes, Year 7 Wellbeing Leader at Scotch College, to hear about the pivotal role of student agency during the Middle Years. The session explored how fostering student agency empowers learners to move beyond passive participation, allowing them to actively shape their own experiences and contribute meaningfully to their school culture. Ed shared Scotch College’s innovative "Wellbeing Scientists" model, where students lead their own inquiry into personal and collective wellbeing. A standout highlight was their student-led Wellbeing Conference, a co-designed event where students present research and facilitate workshops for peers and families. By stepping into conference roles, students are empowered to take wellbeing from a classroom concept into a visible, lived practice that resonates across the entire school community. Author/Source: PESA and Ed McInnes, Scotch College.
Podcast
The Future We Shape: Smiles, Safety, and School Culture
What does it really take to create schools where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely connected? Author/ source: PESA; Hosted and produced by Kerrin Smith; Dr Sue Roffey; Nicole O'Brien
Podcast
2025 Conference
The Future We Shape: Creating Connections: Where Trauma-Aware and Wellbeing Education Meet
From PESA's 2025 National Education Conference: In this special live-recorded keynote episode, we bring together two of the leading voices in education and wellbeing: Professor Lea Waters (University of Melbourne, Centre for Wellbeing Science) and Dr Tom Brunzell (Berry Street Education Model). Author/ source: Professor Lea Waters AM, PhD; Dr Tom Brunzell; Discussion moderated by Emma Grave; episode produced by Kerrin Smith
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Worksheet
Survey
Youth Resilience Doughnut: Score your resilience worksheet
This powerful tool highlights to the student the factors that contribute to their internal resilience. This worksheet is for secondary and tertiary students to self assess and score their resilience. Author/Source: Generously provided by Dr Lyn Worsley of The Resilience Centre
Research Summary
Wellbeing Literacy: A Capability Model for Wellbeing Science and Practice
Wellbeing literacy is defined as the capability to understand and use language about and for wellbeing, intentionally applying it to maintain or improve the wellbeing of oneself, others, or the wider world. Drawing on the idea that language helps shape our experiences and realities, this capability gives individuals the freedom and choice to define and pursue what wellbeing means to them through communication and knowledge. Author/ source: PESA
Audio
Research Summary
In Development
Finding Consensus in Wellbeing Education: A Conversation Based on the Research
Listen to a conversation based on the key outcomes of the 2024 research paper "Finding Consensus on Wellbeing in Education". Research into wellbeing in education has increased rapidly, especially concerns about the wellbeing of both students and teachers. Many different fields have contributed to this work, including positive psychology, social and emotional learning, self-determination theory, and character education. Together, these perspectives have shaped a global movement that argues education should focus on helping people flourish throughout life, not just prepare students for jobs or economic outcomes. This article supports shifting education policy and practice toward wellbeing and flourishing as a central goal. It does this by drawing on strong values and solid research evidence. The authors explore and clarify ongoing debates about what wellbeing means, and they highlight the ethical responsibilities educators and systems have when trying to support wellbeing. The article brings together the shared ideas across different theories and identifies areas where there is clear agreement about what supports wellbeing in education. It shows how learning environments, teaching practices, and relationships in schools influence both learning and wellbeing. The article concludes by offering practical recommendations for education policy and school practice that place the wellbeing of students and teachers at the centre of education. Author/Source: PESA
Matter Neuroscience
This app uses new research on brain chemistry to create a personalised, drug-free approach to boosting everyday happiness. Author/Source: Matter Neuroscience
App
Optimism, Hope and Goals
“A rainbow is a prism that sends shards of multicolored light in various directions. It lifts our spirits and makes us think of what is possible. Hope is the same – a personal rainbow of the mind.” - C. R. Snyder Author: PESA with contributions from Dr Rachel Colla
Article
Key Concept
Co-designing a Student-Led Wellbeing Conference in the Middle Years
Presented by Ed McInnes: Wellbeing Leader-Year 7, Scotch College, Adelaide. Empowering middle years students to research, lead, and share wellbeing with their community.
Webinar/Video
Online PD 2026
2026 PD Wrap Up: Co-designing a Student-Led Wellbeing Conference in the Middle Years
Building on our Term 1 focus of cultivating a thriving community from day one, we welcomed Edward McInnes, Year 7 Wellbeing Leader at Scotch College, to hear about the pivotal role of student agency during the Middle Years. The session explored how fostering student agency empowers learners to move beyond passive participation, allowing them to actively shape their own experiences and contribute meaningfully to their school culture. Ed shared Scotch College’s innovative "Wellbeing Scientists" model, where students lead their own inquiry into personal and collective wellbeing. A standout highlight was their student-led Wellbeing Conference, a co-designed event where students present research and facilitate workshops for peers and families. By stepping into conference roles, students are empowered to take wellbeing from a classroom concept into a visible, lived practice that resonates across the entire school community. Author/Source: PESA and Ed McInnes, Scotch College.
Article
PD Wrap Up
The Future We Shape: Smiles, Safety, and School Culture
What does it really take to create schools where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely connected? Author/ source: PESA; Hosted and produced by Kerrin Smith; Dr Sue Roffey; Nicole O'Brien
Podcast
The Future We Shape: Creating Connections: Where Trauma-Aware and Wellbeing Education Meet
From PESA's 2025 National Education Conference: In this special live-recorded keynote episode, we bring together two of the leading voices in education and wellbeing: Professor Lea Waters (University of Melbourne, Centre for Wellbeing Science) and Dr Tom Brunzell (Berry Street Education Model). Author/ source: Professor Lea Waters AM, PhD; Dr Tom Brunzell; Discussion moderated by Emma Grave; episode produced by Kerrin Smith
Podcast
2025 Conference
Youth Resilience Doughnut: Score your resilience worksheet
This powerful tool highlights to the student the factors that contribute to their internal resilience. This worksheet is for secondary and tertiary students to self assess and score their resilience. Author/Source: Generously provided by Dr Lyn Worsley of The Resilience Centre
Worksheet
Survey
Wellbeing Literacy: A Capability Model for Wellbeing Science and Practice
Wellbeing literacy is defined as the capability to understand and use language about and for wellbeing, intentionally applying it to maintain or improve the wellbeing of oneself, others, or the wider world. Drawing on the idea that language helps shape our experiences and realities, this capability gives individuals the freedom and choice to define and pursue what wellbeing means to them through communication and knowledge. Author/ source: PESA
Research Summary
Finding Consensus in Wellbeing Education: A Conversation Based on the Research
Listen to a conversation based on the key outcomes of the 2024 research paper "Finding Consensus on Wellbeing in Education". Research into wellbeing in education has increased rapidly, especially concerns about the wellbeing of both students and teachers. Many different fields have contributed to this work, including positive psychology, social and emotional learning, self-determination theory, and character education. Together, these perspectives have shaped a global movement that argues education should focus on helping people flourish throughout life, not just prepare students for jobs or economic outcomes. This article supports shifting education policy and practice toward wellbeing and flourishing as a central goal. It does this by drawing on strong values and solid research evidence. The authors explore and clarify ongoing debates about what wellbeing means, and they highlight the ethical responsibilities educators and systems have when trying to support wellbeing. The article brings together the shared ideas across different theories and identifies areas where there is clear agreement about what supports wellbeing in education. It shows how learning environments, teaching practices, and relationships in schools influence both learning and wellbeing. The article concludes by offering practical recommendations for education policy and school practice that place the wellbeing of students and teachers at the centre of education. Author/Source: PESA
Audio
Research Summary
In Development