Teachers, parents and students at Youngtown Primary School had a lesson in resilience this week in an effort to improve student relationships, learning capabilities and well-being.

Educational consultant, John Hendry OAM from Geelong Grammer, conducted sessions focused on forgiveness, hope, integrity, compassion and trust, to help the school develop their strategy towards empowerment measures.

On Thursday Mr Hendry wrapped up the three-day program and said it is very much focused on addressing the common mismanagement of issues associated with bullying.

He said that the response received by the staff and students had been fantastic.

“The kids understand the reason I am doing this and the response has been unbelievably positive,” he said.

“Bullying is not new to the world. It is all about power. It can happen in schools, on the sports ground, at work.

“What we are doing here is focusing on the elements and how they can recognise it.”

A teacher with 47-years experience, Mr Hendry has travelled all over the world assisting schools with resilience development.

Youngtown grade three-four teacher Tim Vanwinden said Mr Hendry’s insights had been fascinating and the opportunity to get him to present at the school was only made possible by a $5,000 grant.

– Jessica Willard

Read more: Youngtown Primary School get a lesson in resilience

Image by Morgan Basham from Unsplash