Positive Education brings together the science of Positive Psychology with best practice teaching to encourage and support individuals, schools and communities to flourish. We refer to flourishing as a combination of ‘feeling good and doing good’. Positive Education focuses on specific skills that assist students to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote mindfulness and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Positive Education is about using the same language for staff, parents and students to help the school community to develop a positive way of addressing issues and embracing life.

Some of the components of Positive Education include:-

• Gratitude – showing gratitude for people, places, things in our life. Looking for things to be grateful for, rather than focusing on what wed don’t have.

• Growth Mindset – Understanding that we all make mistakes, but that we can learn from our mistakes. Having a “can do” attitude and if something doesn’t work, then finding another way to try achieve the goal. Not giving up when things get to difficult.

• PERMAH – Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, Health.

• Character Strengths – According to Martin Seligman, one of the creators of Positive Education, there are 24 character strengths which we all have within us, but some strengths are stronger than others. The 24 character strengths are:- Forgiveness; Modesty; Prudence; Self-Control; Love; Kindness; Social Intelligence; Creativity; Curiosity; Open-Mindedness; Love of Learning; Perspective; Bravery; Persistence; Honesty; Zest; Teamwork; Fairness; Leadership; Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence; Gratitude; Hope; Humour and Playfulness; and Spirituality. Strengths can be developed and used when needed. Character strengths are the positive human qualities that serve as pathways for living a good life.

To watch the Maroondah Plus 10 schools project introduction video please click on the green link.