Tuesday 14 May, 2024
We are excited to bring you a virtual jam-packed day full of boarding specific presentations from industry experts focusing on supporting our boarders.
All sessions will be recorded and made available to staff who have registered to attend. We look forward to seeing many of you online!
Laura Tierney, The Social Institute
Session 1 - How Social Media Fuels Student Learning, Well-Being and Success
Every day, students are hit with social media posts, comments from friends, changing tech trends, and a variety of pressures. Schools try to support student well-being and address social media and tech to foster productive learning environments, but it’s easy to make mistakes.
In this keynote presentation, The Social Institute will guide educators in cultivating modern life skills in their boarding students for sustained success. Attendees will learn actionable strategies to build a systemic approach to modern life skills that also addresses one of the biggest influences on students: social media.
In this session, attendees will learn:
• 5 best practices to avoid key mistakes when modernising your approach to modern life skills & social media education and address student well-being.
• The latest research behind why schools are adopting a positive approach to social media that empowers and equips students, rather than scares and restricts.
• The role of social media and technology in student well- being.
About Laura
Laura Tierney is the Founder and CEO of The Social Institute, the leader in empowering students by understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform that equips school communities to navigate social their social worlds — online and offline — in positive, high-character ways. Their positive, student-led approach has been applauded by Melinda Gates on X (previously Twitter) and featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and USA Today.
Laura got her first phone at age 13 and went on to become a four-time Duke All-American, Duke’s Athlete of the Decade, and a social media strategist for leading brands before founding The Social Institute.
Mika Browning
Session 2 - Building a Trauma Aware Boarding Community
There is growing awareness regarding complex trauma and the impact it has on developing brains. By adopting trauma-aware frameworks, boarding houses can better meet the diverse needs of their students and provide the necessary support for those who have experienced trauma. In this webinar we will look at:
- Why we need trauma aware boarding communities.
- The National Guidelines for Trauma Aware Education
- Where to start in building a trauma aware community
- 3 trauma aware strategies to take away
About Mika
Mika is currently completing a Masters of Trauma Aware Education and holds a Bachelor of Education, Master of Counselling, Graduate Certificates in Global Education, TESOL, Educational WellbeIng and Managing Youth Self Harm and Suicide. This strong academic background is supported by over 25 years of working with young people in pastoral care including 11 years as Director of Boarding. Mika recently moved to St Francis Flexible School (an alternative education day school for young people who have experienced trauma and other forms of disadvantage) where she holds the role of Director of Wellbeing. Mika appreciates opportunities to support others in their professional practise by exploring the academic ideas and how it translates into everyday practice for staff as they assist young people to be their best selves.
Amber Driver and Wes Meurant
Session 3 - Connecting with Community - Rural and Indigenous Boarders
About Amber
Between Amber's immediate family of 4, they share a collective 24 years of 'life lived' in a Boarding School.
Within 2 lines of their Children's family tree there is 50 years of shared knowledge as a boarder.
... And within 3 lines of the Family Tree ... approx. 152 years of 'bush kids to boarding'!
Amber lives & works on their family Beef Cattle property located between Alice Springs and Mount Isa. With around 2.5 million acres of land to look after, a few head of cattle and a fluctuating staff of 4-20, there is rarely a minute of sunlight hours that is not utilised to its maximum potential. With an 800km round trip (including 600km of dirt) to town to get groceries or go shopping, Amber is no stranger to life in the remote lane at one of the most geographically isolated cattle stations in the Northern Territory. Mother of two boys, Amber is passionate about exploring and promoting positive strategies to help overcome some of the toughest challenges faced by people living and working in Australia's most remote & rugged landscapes. Encouraging herself to become a change maker for Rural and Remote Australians, Amber rarely passes an opportunity to invest in the development of her community, peers and the next generation.
Resilient and resourceful Amber has embraced the challenge of 'the job' living at Elkedra Station and alongside her husband John she is a woman who wears many hats and has a varied skillset under her belt.
15 years of home-schooling via Alice Springs School of the Air, the station fixed wing pilot, secretary/accounts, cook, bore-runner, gardener, operator of all machinery from the fork-lift to the Road Train, cattle musterer, fencer and the list goes on...
On the side, Amber contributes to various volunteer groups throughout the NT and beyond; 4 years as President of the Alice Springs ICPA Branch and an ICPA State Councillor, Secretary for local groups such as Central Land Management Association, Harts Range Rodeo and currently sits on the committee for the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association and was the 2018 NT Finalist Agri-Futures Award.
It is clear that a strong sense of community leads Amber to lean into opportunities that allow her to mentor and encourage other people to expand their horizons and challenge themselves to find the courage (and time) to have a go.
In 2018 Amber was approached by Women & Leadership Australia to contribute to the Australian's Women's Leadership Forum held in Alice Springs. Amber was one of 6 women asked to contribute to the forum and share her knowledge and vision for women to take up leadership roles in their own industry and lives.
"I love mentoring people and encourage you to invest in your individual resilience."
In her session, Amber will be discussing:
- It's a geography lesson, do you really know where they are from?
- Lets talk about demographics. Your world looks very different.
- Responsibility at home v Responsibility in the boarding house
- If the shoe fits, wear it. Or should I ?
- The 'Home Visit' challenge - connect with their commitiny.
About Wes
Wes’s schooling career demonstrates a long-standing commitment to supporting Indigenous students from the Northern Territory and Queensland.
With such a wealth of experience and expertise, he views working with Indigenous students as a privilege and an honour.
Wes has a committed Christian faith and seeks to approach people from a Gospel perspective showing great patience and love for those he deals with.
Wes’s extensive background within boarding, academic, and pastoral environments, combined with over 15 years of school leadership, make him an exceptional leader for our Yirara team.
His dedication to empowering students and fostering a nurturing and inclusive educational environment aligns perfectly with Yirara's core values and mission.
Academically, Wes’s credentials are outstanding. He holds degrees in Theology and Linguistics, demonstrating a well-rounded understanding of diverse cultures and the importance of effective communication. Furthermore, his two Masters degrees in education reflect his dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
This vast knowledge and expertise undoubtedly benefit our students and contribute to their academic success. In addition to his educational qualifications, Wes’s Diploma in Investing showcases his commitment to holistic development and the importance of financial literacy. Such skills will enable him to support the Yirara community in various ways, ensuring that our students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed not only academically but also in their future endeavours.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Wes is a devoted family man. Married with two children, he understands the importance of strong family connections and community support. These values will undoubtedly resonate within our school community, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
Lastly, it must be mentioned that Wes is a diehard supporter of his beloved Bulldogs in the NRL. His enthusiasm for sports and commitment to being an ardent supporter will undoubtedly inspire our students to embrace teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience both on and off the field.
Session 4 - A Panel Discussion with Boarding School Leaders
A panel session discussing "Selecting and Developing the Best Boarding Staff" with a few of our Boarding School Principals:
> Vanessa Browning, Seymour College
> Judith Tudball, St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
> Geoff Marsh, Frensham
All sessions will be recorded and made available to staff who have registered to attend.
We look forward to seeing many of you there!
Individual Registration: $250 incl. GST per person
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