The Resilience Project
The Resilience Project is an engaging K-6 program that provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience. This program is designed to include students, teachers and the community to be practising the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM). This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community. Waverley Public School students participate in weekly Resilience Project lessons, have daily GEM chats, and students are recognised for using GEM at whole school assemblies.
Please visit the amazing parent and carer hub to learn more about how to support your child's personal development.
GEM
Gratitude
Gratitude is being thankful and expressing appreciation for what one has - instead of focusing on the lack of something. Research shows that practising gratitude rewires our brains to overcome negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s thoughts and feelings from their perspective. Research shows that practising empathy, such as performing acts of kindness, taps into our brain’s ‘mirror neurons’, builds compassion, and our behaviour becomes more social and community-based.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is about practising a moment-to-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment - with curiosity and without judgement. Thousands of studies have proven benefits include reduced stress, reduced rumination, increased memory, increased cognitive function and physical health benefits through improved immunity.
Emotional Literacy
Emotional Literacy is the ability to label our emotions as we experience them. Labelling our emotions helps us to manage our emotions (soften negative emotions and find positive emotions). We learn how to understand and express emotions, as well as practise recognising our own feelings and how to control them.