Stride

Some kind words from both teachers and students on our PEER SUPPORT program ⭐

For bookings and more information follow the link: https://stride.org.au/peer-support/

Introducing PEER SUPPORT ⭐

This program equips older students with skills to support and work with younger students.

For more information and bookings follow the link: https://stride.org.au/peer-support/

Spotlight on our new facilitator Desmia! ⭐

Thank you Des for joining the team at Stride Education.

Happy Friday everyone! Friendly reminder to follow us on our other socials where we also post regularly! 😊

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strideeducation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stride-education/

Have a great weekend ⭐

Stride Education (@strideeducation) • Instagram photos and videos 84 Followers, 35 Following, 57 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Stride Education ()

Ever wondered what a typical Stride Education Friendship Program looks like? 😊

Last week we brought SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS to the students at Cranbourne Secondary College and our lovely new facilitator Desmia wrote up a recount of the day ✍

⭐ We started by highlighting the power of choice through a lighthearted game, where students pick one of four options in a category (for example, their favourite food - Italian, Japanese, Indian or Thai). We then discussed the everyday big and small situations where students have control over their choices, and the impact that can have.

⭐ Next, we delved into the essence of friendship, exploring qualities of a good friend, behaviour that can make or break friendships, the consequences of friendship breakdown and examples of good choices. The students completed this activity in 4 groups, allowing them to work together. They actively participated in discussions about friendship, allowing them to navigate the complexities of peer relationships. When asked at the end, many students reported this activity as being their highlight of the program.

⭐ Activities like "Cross the Line" and "Under the Surface," fostered empathy and understanding among students. In Cross The Line, students walked to the other side of the room if a statement applied to them. These statements ranged from 'cross the line if you play sport' to 'cross the line if you ever feel alone'. They later reported that this activity increased their awareness of the issues facing others, and highlighted the importance of 'not judging a book by its cover'.

⭐ The students were then introduced to a case study on cyber bullying. This sparked thoughtful discussion about the impact of our online actions, emphasising the significance of empathy and responsible online behavior. As we concluded with the impactful "Words Hurt" activity, students reflected on the power of words and the lasting impact of kindness versus negativity.

⭐ Overall, the day was not just about learning new skills but about cultivating empathy, resilience, and respect among the students—qualities that are fundamental not only to building strong friendships but also to navigating life's challenges with grace and understanding.

Friendship is the foundation of a supportive and empathetic community and a key focus of several of our programs here at Stride Education ⭐

On this International Day of Friendship, let’s celebrate the bonds that connect us and commit to modelling kindness, respect and understanding in our relationships.

For more informative on our friendship programs, follow the link: https://stride.org.au/social-and-emotional-programs/

Some powerful thoughts on our SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS program 😊

For bookings and more information please visit: https://stride.org.au/
supportive-friends/

Introducing SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS 😊

This program trains selected students to identify, approach and empathise with another student who is going through an issue. They are taught to follow a 5-Step problem-solving model, and trained on how to recognise when, why and how to pass on serious issues to a responsible teacher.

For bookings and more information please visit: https://stride.org.au/
supportive-friends/

New research by Australia's eSafety Commissioner grants insight into young men and their relationship with the online world.

Many findings affirm behaviours Stride has been witnessing for years in our boy's programs. So what are our takeaways?

✍ Young men should be guided on managing pressure and anxiety related to online self-representation.

✍ Male role models are highly influential. Young men should be educated on the impact of social media influencers and encouraged to think critically about the messages they promote.

✍ Young men should be taught the importance of online privacy. They should be educated on the negative effects of online po*******hy in altering perception of women and relationships.

✍ Young men should be encouraged to utilise the social aspects of online communities.

For further reading, check out the full report here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/being-a-young-man-online

Today, we honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, a true advocate for peace, unity, and friendship. His words continue to inspire our work in fostering strong, empathetic relationships among young people.

As Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Let’s empower our young people to build a brighter, more connected future 🌏

With a 24/7 news cycle available at the touch of a button, today we are sharing timely guidance on how to bring global news events into the classroom 🌏

Source: Buchs, Céline & Butera, Fabrizio & Gabriel, Mugny & Darnon, Céline. (2004). Conflict Elaboration and Cognitive Outcomes. Theory Into Practice.

TERM 3, 2024!

We hope everyone had a safe and restful break ❤️

Stay tuned for more content as we dive into the second half of the year!

As Term 2 wraps up, we thought we'd leave you with some words of wisdom from one of our recent Empower Girls Senior Programs. We asked: What is one thing you’re going to do different after today? ✍️

1. Be kinder to myself. In return I'll be kinder to others.
2. I will be more positive.
3. Be kinder to everyone.

We will be taking a short break from our social media pages over the holidays. In the meantime, don't forget about the importance of being kind to both others and ourselves. Thank you for being a part of the Stride community, and we can't wait to see you in Term 3! ❤

With the term break right around the corner, we thought we'd share some easy ways to help educators decompress and destress during the school holidays 😊

We know that many members of our community are concerned about the vast amount of disturbing content available online.

Whilst there are enormous challenges surrounding the regulation of social media and other digital platforms, there are ways we can help young people navigate distressing material.

If you or your young person are in need of further supports, please reach out to the following helplines:

⭐ KIDS HELPLINE - 1800 55 1800 or online chat - 5 to 25 year olds.
⭐ LIFELINE - 13 11 14 - All ages, all issues.
⭐ 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 - For people affected by sexual abuse or violence.
⭐ PARENTLINE VIC - 13 22 89 - Counselling for parents and carers in Victoria.
⭐ HEADSPACE - 1800 650 890 - 18 to 25 year olds.
⭐ BEYOND BLUE - 1300 22 4636 - All ages, all issues.

Whilst the significance of teachers in supporting youth mental health is well established, recent data has revealed the growing expectations on schools to provide wellbeing supports.

📖 What are your thoughts? Share them with us in the comments below.

Source: Education Insights Infographic 2024 McCrindle Research

Today we'd like to share five tips on how educators can help foster empathy in the classroom.

As we know, the skill of empathy is not only a cornerstone of Social and Emotional Learning, but helps students navigate the challenges of their day-to-day lives, boosting productivity and contributing to an inclusive and nurturing classroom environment.

Further reading 📚

Nazirqulova, S., & Yulianna, Z. (2024, May 27). Ways to cultivate greater empathy in teaching. In Innovative and integrative problems of foreign language development in a multilingual environment (International scientific-practical conference, Tashkent). https://zenodo.org/records/11341959

Empathy Day was founded in 2017 to inspire children to build their empathy skills and put them to action.

As a cornerstone of Social and Emotional Learning, we recognise that empathy is a key skill for young people to develop in order to overcome the challenges of their everyday lives and help create a culture of kindness and connection.

✨ As parents and educators, what does empathy mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s start the conversation and make a difference together.

In the wake of recent discussion surrounding young people and social media, both parents and educators may be wondering how to best protect their young people from the potential risks of digital technologies.

Here is a four-step guide on how to create a Social Media Plan which contains guidelines and strategies to help young people navigate social media platforms safely and responsibly.

For further insight, head over to The Teachers' Lounge and listen to our discussion with Dr Aleesha Rodriguez: https://www.facebook.com/groups/530306144309478

At the end of one of our recent Empower Girls Senior Programs, we asked students: What is one thing you’re going to do different after today? ✍️

Here's our favourite takeaways.

1. Don't take how I feel out on others.
2. Not going to let myself down.
3. To make myself feel happier, I will shower, have cup of tea, sleep more often. Self care is to make myself happier and will make me calmer and feel loved.
4. Be confident. Think about the good things in life.
5. I will try not to judge others.
6. I will treat people better.
7. Listen to what everyone has to say. And try and include everybody.
8. Check up on my friends more often.

For more information on our Social and Emotional Learning programs, please visit https://stride.org.au/social-and-emotional-programs/ ⭐

📣 Join us over at the Teachers' Lounge today at 4pm explore the impact of social media on young people with our own Ozlem Mehmit-Radji and Dr Aleesha Rodriguez.

📅 Date: 20 May, 2024
🕒 Time: 4pm AEST
📍 Location: Facebook Live

To participate, you'll need to join The Teachers’ Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/530306144309478
Our exclusive Facebook Group is designed for all staff wanting to connect with the greater community, learn wellbeing strategies and build greater capacity in their role.

Got any questions for the team? Leave them in the comments below or post them in the chat on the day 😊

against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 🌏

Last month we received some brilliant feedback on our Peer Mediation Program from the students at Oran Park High School 🙌

What is digital wellbeing? Find our seven tips for taking care of your health online.

📣 Save the Date! We are excited to announce our second Facebook Live event of 2024 discussing social media and its impact on young people.

Joining us over at the Teachers' Lounge is our own Ozlem Mehmit-Radji and Dr Aleesha Rodriguez.

Aleesha is a tech-sociologist who explores the ways in which people and technology shape each other. They are currently a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child at Queensland University of Technology.

Aleesha’s research examines how the public thinks about future (digital) technologies and develops playful approaches to explore how we can generate better digital futures. Specifically, Aleesha runs workshops with academics and industry professionals to help them to think about their role in shaping positive technical futures.

📅 Date: 20 May, 2024
🕒 Time: 4pm AEST
📍 Location: Facebook Live

To participate, you'll need to join The Teachers’ Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/530306144309478

Our exclusive Facebook Group is designed for all staff wanting to connect with the greater community, learn wellbeing strategies and build greater capacity in their role.

Got any questions for the team? Leave them in the comments below or post them in the chat on the day 😊

⭐ Five Key Skills For Greater Resilience ⭐

Stride's student programs provide young people with key social and emotional learning skills which lead to greater resilience.

Find our programs teaching resilience, socialisation and wellbeing skills here: https://stride.org.au/social-and-emotional-programs/

Introducing our 2024 Professional Development dates for PACTS (Parents as Career Transition Support) 😊

For more information and bookings please visit: https://stride.org.au/run-stride-programs/

Introducing PACTS! 😊

The PACTS program provides parents, carers, education providers and support workers with up-to-date information about educational pathways to support young people in making career transition decisions.

For bookings and more information please visit: https://stride.org.au/pacts/

Stay tuned for 2024 Professional Development dates!

🌟 WE'RE HIRING 🌟

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on young minds? Do you wish to provide the guidance you wish you had when you were young?

We're excited to announce that Stride is looking for enthusiastic and compassionate individuals to run our popular boys and friendship programs in Melbourne, regional and occasionally interstate.

Programs are delivered in both primary and secondary schools and include interactive activities, discussions, presentation and occasional improvisation. Training and professional development are held at our Bentleigh East Head Office.

Ideally, you will have:
🔹 Experience working with children (must have WWCC)
🔹 Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
🔹 Passion for promoting social and emotional well-being

Counselling and/or teaching students are encouraged to apply!

For more information or to apply, send your CV to [email protected] 😊