Workshop Day 2015 Resources
SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FROM WORKSHOP DAY 2015
PowerPoint presentations and resources are available to download at the bottom of this page.
Keynote Speaker - Lynn Townsend (GIRFEC)
Workshop A - Moira Leslie, Royal Caledonian Education Trust
Moira Leslie took us through the pressures and stresses experienced by separation from a parent or sibling experienced by Forces kids. The workshop was based around the families of members of the Armed Forces, but their issues would be equally applicable to any young person whose parents are working away for any length of time. We explored the resource Forces Kids- This is My Life DVD and considered the key messages told from the child’s perspective: loss, anger, fear, sadness, pride, frustration and many more. The resource looks at ways of supporting and identifying when children are going through The Transition Cycle; adjusting to the change within their lives whether it be a parent leaving to serve, coming back or even when they are posted to a new place involving adjusting to a new school and environment.
The Royal Caledonia Education Trust runs CPD courses which are free and can be accommodated in twilight sessions, half day or indeed a full day. Moira herself helps to support staff in developing skills and strategies to support the education of Armed Forces children and with 22 years as a Primary School Head teacher she has plenty of hands on experience.
Workshop B - Sharon Edgar, CITB
www.bconstructive.co.uk
Workshop C - Morag Kerr (Resilience - Everyday Courage)
www.interchange.co.uk
Resilience is something that we have noticed children and young people seem to have lost in recent years and the popularity of this workshop suggests that it is of concern to teachers. Morag encouraged groups to define resilience and think about why it is important. She asked us to consider why young people find it difficult to ‘bounce back’ and why mental health problems are increasing.
Can resilience be taught? Morag gave examples of teaching resilience: Bounce Back, a programme from Australia, Mindset an approach advocated by Dr Carol Dweck. Her powerpoint gives more detail of references and where to find out more. She focussed on the contribution that school can make in improving resilience and reminded us that we need to remember to take care of our own levels of resilience.
This workshop was engaging and created much comment and discussion. The mental health of this generation is of concern to us as teachers and parents and Morag gave us some thoughts and ideas to take forward.
Workshop D - Gillian Maclean, Drugs Action
www.drugsaction.co.uk
Workshop E - Graeme Ross, LGBT Youth Scotland
Here are the links to the films:
Silence Helps Homophobia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQKGigb5l28
Ryland’s Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAHCqnux2fk
And some attendees asked for links to the toolkit and to the Charter Mark which are:
Toolkit and lesson plans:
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/d/genericresource_tcm4512285.asp
Charter Mark:
https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/charter
Graeme Ross from LGBT Youth Scotland led a lively and entertaining workshop with a serious and supportive message for all teachers. He started by challenging our knowledge and understanding of the issues facing young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in today’s secondary schools. Graeme was able to give us an insight into how it feels to be in an environment where there is an unknown level of hostility or a complete lack of understanding. He gave us lesson plans and suggestions for our classrooms to create LGBT friendly environments and above all he left us all feeling more confident and able to support young people facing these issues.
Workshop F - Lorraine Glass, respectme
Respectme representative, Lorraine Glass, was both informative and engaging in her anti bullying presentation. Demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of legislation and practice, Lorraine led an open discussion on anti- bullying policy and definitions. The workshop acknowledged the effect of bullying on the development of a child and sought to address the issues surrounding the classification and diversity of bullying behaviours we encounter in an education setting. The practitioners present left the workshop with a better understanding of bullying and its effects, and a clear perspective on the legislation that guides our everyday practice.
Workshop G - Joanna Fraser & Claire Leslie (Adapted Wellbeing Web)
An interesting and informative workshop delivered by Joanna and Claire. We learned how the Wellbeing Web has been adapted to support children and young people, with moderate/severe learning difficulties, with a voice. We were introduced to the resource and as a group discussed the positives of it (which far outweigh the negatives). The cards are colour matched to the Wellbeing Web and can easily be interpreted by children and young people. All members of our group left with the intention of phoning and requesting the pack for our own schools. A practical workshop with a valuable resource, fifty minutes well spent.
Workshop H - Kathryn Dawson & Jasmine Armour, Rape Crisis
Workshop I - Louise Longhurst, Stewart Ivory
www.stewartivory-financeforsixthformers.co.uk