The ‘Training Room’ at the Central Office of SCEA has been busy over the last week, with two separate groups gathering from across our schools to learn and grow in order to serve our schools and families more effectively.
Day 1 – A gathering of two of our key networks across SCEA: The Learning Support Network and the Wellbeing & Chaplaincy Network
These two groups came together to learn more about an issue they are deeply invested in: tackling school avoidance.
Attendee Mrs Danielle Grisham gave us the scoop on what the day was all about:
“School avoidance is a relatively new phenomenon, with rates increasing significantly since COVID-19. The Australian Government estimates that school avoidance affects between 1% and 5% of students, with higher rates among neurodivergent students.”
AISWA’s Senior Psychologist, Wendy Vasquez, and Dana De Bunnetat spoke at the combined Learning Support and Chaplains Network meeting. School avoidance, or ‘school can’t’, is difficult to address, not only for parents, but also for schools.
Dana and Wendy emphasised the importance of early conversations with parents and students when warning signs begin to appear.
Both psychologists also stressed that our focus should not be on fixing the student, but on understanding and adjusting the environments that support them.
It was lovely to bring learning support and wellbeing together in collegiate conversation, to deepen our understanding of school avoidance and work within our school teams to improve ways we can support our students who are struggling.”
Day 2 – CSA/SCEA Senior Leaders Institute Coaching Day
This full-day event formed part of the Christian Schools Australia (CSA) Senior Leaders Institute, aimed at developing potential school leaders.
Many of the leaders present had already had contact with Mrs Emily Dickinson, who has been engaged by SCEA in recent years as a coach and trainer.
However, it was the second presenter, Mr Grant O’Sullivan, who was the ‘new face in the room’, bringing insights from decades of leadership coaching. Mr O’Sullivan is also a former colleague of our Chief Executive Officer, Dr Graeme Cross, and he shared some anecdotes throughout the day about their time together as leaders in a school setting.
Together, the tandem of coaches delivered a number of fresh insights and opportunities to develop the coaching skills of the SCEA group.
These events work together to increase our knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in Christian education and also provide opportunities for rich conversation and fellowship across our SCEA schools.