Brisbane Student Wellbeing Seminar and upcoming professional development opportunities
Student Wellbeing Seminar
Join us in Brisbane on 17 October
Student anxiety is rising. The time to act is now.
We invite you to attend an important Student Wellbeing Seminar in Brisbane on Friday 17 October at the South Leagues Club.
Anxiety among young people is one of the most pressing issues facing schools today. According to a national study led by Professor Patrick McGorry, almost one in three Australians aged 16 to 24 (32%) experiences an anxiety disorder. Alarmingly, the signs appear earlier, with around 7% of 11-year-olds already showing symptoms. These issues are rarely short-term. Without intervention, they tend to worsen over time — affecting academic outcomes, social development, and long-term wellbeing.
But this trend can be reversed.
The evidence shows that early, coordinated responses from the adults around children — at home, at school, and across the community — can make a significant difference.
That’s why this seminar brings together leading voices in education, psychology and school leadership to share what works in real school settings.
What you’ll learn:
Insights from Michael Hawton, lead psychologist for The Anxiety Project and Resilience In Our Teens, on shifting from traditional therapy models to whole-school strategies for change
Case studies from three schools, presented by school leaders, highlighting their progress and lessons learned
Research findings from Rob Walker (NSWPPA principal) and Ruby Otero (psychologist, AAPI) across both primary and secondary projects
A clear and practical session on teacher burnout, including warning signs and intervention strategies, led by Ruby Otero
A detailed walkthrough of effective implementation planning — including timelines, key milestones and how to bring your team along for the journey
This seminar is about more than raising awareness. It’s about equipping school leaders with practical, system-wide solutions to support students and staff alike.
Student Wellbeing Seminar | Brisbane | South Leagues Club | 17 October | Full day event
Cost: $129 pp inc. GST
The Anxiety Project: 2026-2027 intake
Reduce student anxiety with a whole-school approach that works
Anxiety among school-aged children is rising — and schools are on the frontline. While one-on-one support has its place, many schools are now recognising the need for a coordinated, whole-school approach to addressing anxiety and building student resilience.
This project offers exactly that. It provides schools with practical, evidence-based strategies that equip both staff and families to respond to anxiety in ways that reduce its impact, rather than unintentionally reinforce it.
Recent outcomes from participating schools have been highly encouraging. Data from the latest cohort shows:
A significant increase in teacher confidence when it comes to recognising and managing anxiety in students
A clear reduction in student anxiety levels, as reported by schools
Improved classroom engagement and a more consistent approach to student wellbeing across the whole school community
This approach is designed to be realistic, sustainable, and tailored to the realities of Australian schools. It empowers teachers, engages parents, and shifts school culture — without overwhelming staff or requiring specialist qualifications.
More than just a program, this is a scalable model for long-term cultural change. Already, the project is helping thousands of students across hundreds of Australian schools to face challenges with greater confidence and emotional resilience.
If your school is ready to move beyond short-term fixes and adopt a proven, school-wide solution to rising anxiety, we invite you to explore what this project can offer.
CLICK HERE to fill out an expression of interest and have more information sent to you.
Upcoming professional learning opportunities
Tough Conversations™ for School Leaders
Handling difficult conversations is part of the job. But doing it well takes practice.
Every school leader faces tough conversations — with staff, with parents, and with students. Whether it’s managing underperformance, responding to complaints, addressing behaviour issues, or de-escalating conflict, these conversations are often high-stakes and emotionally charged.
Tough Conversations™ for School Leaders is a practical professional learning experience designed to give you the skills, structure and confidence to handle sensitive issues with clarity and calm.
You’ll learn how to:
- Stay composed and in control when tensions rise
- Deliver difficult feedback without triggering defensiveness
- Manage emotional pushback professionally
- Hold others accountable while preserving trust.
This training is grounded in real-world school leadership experience and informed by evidence-based communication strategies.
Join us at an upcoming face-to-face workshop or attend a live webinar session from wherever you are. You’ll walk away with tools you can apply immediately — and a renewed sense of confidence in your leadership voice.
Live webinar | 10 September | Full day training
Face to face | 19 September | Hobart | Full day training | Morning tea, lunch and training materials provided
Face to face | 28 October | Brisbane | Full day training | Morning tea, lunch and training materials provided
Live webinar | 20 November | Full day training
Tough Conversations™ for Frontline Staff
Frontline school staff hold the line every day. It’s time they had the tools to do it with confidence.
Front office staff are often the first point of contact for parents, carers and visitors. They are the face of the school, the voice on the phone, and the calm in the storm when situations start to escalate.
But too often, these staff are expected to manage frustration, outbursts and emotionally charged interactions — without having been given the practical skills to do so.
Tough Conversations for Frontline Staff is designed to change that.
This one-day, hands-on training equips frontline professionals with a clear structure, calm language, and practical techniques for managing difficult interactions. Whether someone is raising their voice, refusing to listen, or demanding more than you can give, you’ll walk away with tools you can apply immediately — no jargon, no theory overload.
What makes this training different? It’s grounded in:
- Real-world frontline experience
- Evidence from psychology and neuroscience
- Proven communication strategies that defuse conflict and protect professional boundaries.
If your frontline staff are the ones holding everything together, give them the support they deserve to stay calm, effective and respected — no matter what the day brings.
Face to face | 18 September | Hobart | Full day training | Morning tea, lunch and training materials provided
Anxiety Coach™ in the Classroom
Anxiety is showing up in more classrooms. Teachers need strategies that work.
Anxiety Coach™ in the Classroom is a one-day professional learning course designed for teachers, teacher aides, and early learning staff. It offers practical, evidence-informed strategies for managing anxiety and building resilience in students, all within a classroom setting.
You will learn how to:
Understand how anxiety develops and what maintains it
Recognise the important role educators can play in preventing excessive worry
Apply practical steps to build resilient thinking in children
This training is based on three key principles:
Teachers and aides can interrupt the progression of anxiety by understanding how it works
They can take a proactive role in helping children worry less
They can teach students how to think more flexibly and respond more confidently to challenges
This is a practical course for professionals who want strategies they can use straight away, with students of all ages.
Live webinar | 7 November | Full day training
1-2-3 Magic® & Emotion Coaching in the Classroom
1-2-3 Magic® & Emotion Coaching in the Classroom is a one-day professional learning course that equips teachers and school staff with clear, effective strategies for managing challenging behaviour.
The course aligns with the Australian Curriculum by supporting the development of students' personal and social capabilities. It also complements schools using a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework, offering a consistent, structured approach to classroom discipline.
Participants will learn:
How to respond calmly and consistently to disruptive behaviour
When to intervene and when to let students self-correct
How to combine behaviour management with emotional coaching to improve student self-regulation
This course gives teachers practical tools they can apply immediately to maintain control in the classroom while supporting student wellbeing and engagement.
Live webinar | 11 August | Full day training