Study Finds Critical Turning Point for Students

THE results of a pilot study involving five Upper Hunter schools has shown Year 4 is a critical time for children to be taught how to bounce back from difficulties.

Before the trial there was a notable decline of resilience and well being in Year 4, 5 and 6 students across all schools, but after the program there was no longer a decline.

Professor Toni Noble who led the study said the positive trend after year 4 is very exciting and demonstrates the importance of positive education in the early years of primary school.

Niamh Marzol from St James Primary School, Prof Toni Noble, Kim Wilson principle of St Mary’s Primary School, Shelby Lewis from St Joseph’s Primary School and Rose Pennington.

“We’ve learned the importance of teaching children the skills of resilience before year 4 and in fact as early as possible, even in pre-school, so that they are able to bounce back when they are older,

“It’s about children learning the habits of well being and how they think about situations at a young age and continuing those habits throughout their schooling

After the implementation of the Bounce Back program in the schools there was a significant change in the resilience of children in Year 4 and later years.

The study also showed a direct correlation between a students academic performance and level of well-being.

The teachers were able to measure the resilience and well being of individual children and could tailor positive education for each student as they do with their academic education.

Improvements in the well-being of teachers and the broader school community at each school were also demonstrated in the study.

Toni Noble said the most exciting thing about the study was that the schools involved with the program are continuing to teach positive education.

Pauline Carrigan, founder of the Where There’s A Will foundation which co-funded the study with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University

“The work we are doing in schools is so important and our principles are constantly stepping up and the evidence that is coming out now where children are starting to talk about things they have never spoken about before is amazing,” said Ms Carrigan.

“I am so excited about the research and when I am talking to a politician or the ear of a donor that we can show them why this is so important and I really thank the efforts of Toni and Rose and researchers across the world working hard for positive education,” Pauline Carrigan said.

The schools involved with the study included St Mary’s Primary School Scone, Scone Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School Merriwa, St James’ Primary School Muswellbrook and Aberdeen Primary School.