The aim of this e-newsletter is to provide our subscribers with information about drug prevention resources, and to share relevant news, conferences and events.
Please help us spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to other school staff in your networks, and encourage them to subscribe at www.positivechoices.org.au.
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Term 1 Newsletter: Wellbeing Planning for Schools
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Dear *|FNAME|*,
Welcome back to the new school year! In this newsletter we'll be sharing resources and opportunities to plan wellbeing at your school.
Wellbeing encompasses a person's emotional, mental, social and physical health. In the school environment, wellbeing is linked to improved academic achievement and enhanced mental health. Furthermore, it encompasses responsible decision making such as making choices about drugs and alcohol.
Young people are likely to spend more waking hours in the school environment around teachers and school staff than at home with their parents. Therefore, providing a safe environment at school along with teaching social and emotional skills is a key factor influencing the development of young people.
In this newsletter you will find resources to help you guide students in making responsible decisions. The Positive Choices teachers' portal has many more resources which you can access today:
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Positive Choices Drug Education Booklets: How to Plan Wellbeing
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A special delivery from Positive Choices recently arrived at your high school (or is on its way!). Your school pack will include a Positive Choices poster and hardcopy information booklets on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.
We have included two sample copies of each information booklet (each aimed at either students, parents or teachers) for your school. The booklets have been updated from previous versions to include information about alcohol, tobacco and additional factsheets to guide your lesson planning.
Here are a few ideas on how to use and share the booklets:
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To share the Parent booklet in your next school newsletter, use the template we've created for you! Simply use the recommended copy and download the image:
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Complete the Needs Assessment Survey!
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Complete our online survey to let us know the resource needs in your school, and to receive support with targeted resources and relevant training opportunities. The Positive Choices team can provide tailored suggestions that you can implement at your school.
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Resources for Planning Wellbeing at Your School
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How teachers can guide students against drug and alcohol related harms
Research has shown that a positive relationship with school, which creates a greater sense of community, attachment, and performance, is associated with reduced potential for drug abuse. Check out this factsheet to learn how teachers can help students have a positive relationship with their school.
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Webinar: how do mental health and substance use disorders affect young people?
This webinar provides valuable information for anyone caring or working closely with a young person. Mental health and substance use disorders are among the most common disorders for young people, and frequently occur together.
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Making choices
This factsheet discusses some of the reasons young people may use drugs and how you can help students deal with situations where they may feel pressured to use drugs.
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School-based drug prevention: what works?
When selecting resources or programs to use in your classroom, it is important to consider the “evidence base” (e.g. research) that shows whether they will be effective. Read this overview of what the research tells us about what works and what doesn’t work.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resources
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have indicated that schools and teachers are their preferred and most frequently accessed source of health-related information. Read this factsheet to learn more about how schools can protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from drug harms
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Upcoming Webinar:
Strong and Deadly Futures; a culturally-inclusive program to prevent harm from alcohol and other drug use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth
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Strong & Deadly Futures is a school-based alcohol and drug prevention program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students that is culturally inclusive, incorporates cultural strengths and focuses on empowerment of the students.
The program combines illustrated story lines with interactive classroom activities. It is currently being developed and trialed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous high school students around the country. If you'd like to learn more about the program, watch this video! If you'd like to get involved in the trial, please email info@strongdeadly.org.au.
Register for our upcoming webinar to find out more about the Strong and Deadly Futures program. The webinar will provide an overview of the program, development process, and information for schools and communities about how to get involved, access the program and give feedback to inform the next phase of development.
This webinar will be held on Tuesday 7th April at 12.00pm-1.00pm AEST. Make sure you register for this FREE online webinar:
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Opportunity to Participate: Preventure Trial
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Researchers at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney, are launching an Australian-first trial evaluating the effectiveness of a school-led Preventure program. Preventure is a brief, personality-targeted intervention to improve student wellbeing and prevent substance use. The program has a strong evidence-base; the critical next step is to test the program when delivered by school staff, enabling broader reach and uptake of the program across Australia.
Schools in the greater Sydney or Wollongong regions wishing to express their interest in participating in this free trial should email Dr Erin Kelly at erin.k@sydney.edu.au
More information about Preventure is available at positivechoices.org.au/teachers/preventure
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Our thoughts are with those who have been recently affected by the Australian Bushfires. Events like these can lead to distressing emotions in children including high anxiety, fear and panic. If you, your school community or other communities you know are looking for resources to assist in planning the recovery process, please see the resources below:
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The Australian Red Cross has developed resources to help teachers educate students from pre-school to year 12 about recovery. Click here to access these resources.
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The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has many resources to support people and communities who are bravely battling and recovering from the bushfires. You can learn more and access these resources here.
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Something you'd like to see on Positive Choices that isn't there? We welcome ideas for new content, so send us an email at info@positivechoices.org.au, and we'll look into it.
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