Our world-class Positive Education program features prominently across our school with unsurpassed pastoral care in each classroom for every child, a well-defined code of behaviour and a well-developed sense of community.
Our dedicated and talented teaching and support staff are justifiably proud of all that Peninsula Grammar has to offer and the well-rounded, well-educated, considerate and community-minded young people who are our past and present students.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of how to live a healthy, happy, and meaningful life. Positive education integrates positive psychology into educational practices to enhance student well-being and academic performance.
At Peninsula Grammar, our Positive Education K-12 scope and sequence incorporates programs and evidence-based research by leading international experts in social and emotional literacy and wellbeing. These experts include Professor Toni Noble (ACU), Professor Helen McGrath (Deakin, RMIT), Professor Carol Dweck (Stanford University), Professor John Hattie (University of Melbourne), and Ron Ritchhart (Harvard University). We also draw on research-based organisations such as the VIA Institute on Character, the MindUp Foundation, New York University’s Character Lab, and The Wellbeing Lab (Australia).
We use the PERMA Model, developed by Martin Seligman, as a guide for our framework, focusing on Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Techniques and activities designed to enhance wellbeing, such as gratitude exercises, mindfulness practices, and strengths-based approaches, are integral to our program.
More recently, we have engaged specialists in the field to support our programs, including Professor Lea Waters, Charlie Scudamore, and John Hendry, who have all worked with our school staff on wellbeing and positive relationships.
An age-appropriate scope and sequence of Positive Education and Wellbeing has been developed across the whole school. Students are explicitly taught skills and strategies that build on each other to ensure they develop social, emotional and wellbeing literacy.
A brief overview of key topics are:
Junior School
Positive relationships, emotions and healthy friendships including strength spotting, courage, kindness, reslience and optimism. Focus on emotional literacy.
Middle School
Positive psychology science, mindfulness, character strengths, respectful relationships, empathy, positive body image and media literacy.
Pre Senior School
Growth mindset, embracing challenges, community engagement and service and personal accountability.
Senior School
Decision making and goal setting, managing stress and anxiety in a positive way. Leadership development through meaning and purpose.
