Speak boastfully of

New well-being program making a positive difference at local primary schools

MARIA GIRGENTI

IN 2021, Gavin Cooper and Luke Wilson from the North Queensland Cowboys visited Innisfail to assist primary schools in the Cassowary Coast region in implementing an Australian well-being agenda, The Resilience Project (TRP).

Students, teachers and families from South Johnstone, Silkwood, Innisfail East, Flying Fish Point and Mundoo State Schools enthusiastically jumped on board.

The presentation, specifically targeted to each group, ensured everyone could work collaboratively towards teaching resilience.

Cooper, a former NRL and Queensland Maroons player, also delivered an engaging presentation for all school families in the region at Mundoo State School.

This presentation incorporated Gavin’s personal stories of overcoming adversity and the use of gratitude, empathy (kindness) and mindfulness (GEM) which helped him to build resilience.

TRP delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness.

These strategies are delivered to students through presentations, school curriculum, events, the TRP App and Well-Being Journals.

The program also incorporates Emotional Literacy, Connection and Physical Health education and activities as they are the foundational contributors to positive mental health.

TRP recognises that humans are inherently negative and will usually default to stating a problem rather than examining solutions and possibilities.

Statistics reveal 1 in 4 adolescents have a mental illness; 1 in 7 primary school children have a mental illness; 1 in 5 adults will experience mental ill-health throughout the year, whilst 65% of adolescents do not seek help for mental illness.

Silkwood State School Principal Chris Cattarossi said he believed TRP had positively affected the staff and students, with everyone focusing on ‘flipping’ conversations to be more positive.

“At school, we are now more able to discuss what we are grateful for, without worrying about what we do not have (Gratitude); recognise other people’s feelings and practice kindness (Empathy), as well as try to be calm, relaxed, focused and in the moment during a time of stress and distraction (Mindfulness).”

“These are the three pillars that support TRP. Both classes schedule a new lesson every Monday that examines and practices these concepts.”

“After using TRP at school, I am finding this way of thinking is starting to enrich my personal life.”

“When I get home, instead of asking my wife, “How was your day?” and inviting a lengthy list of what went wrong, I now start by saying, “What went well for you today?” or “What was the best part of your day?”

“This provides a wonderful opportunity for positive interaction, and we start our evening off in a far more constructive manner.”

All schools are grateful to the Queensland Government for funding this great initiative.

Gavin Cooper and Luke Wilson with South Johnstone State School students and staff.