home  background  staff discussion  resources	Using this package to promote staff discussion The following components have been developed to encourage discussion of the results from the two studies and reflection of them in the local school community setting. Audience: Members of a school's staff or others interested in strengthening school's capacity to help students connect to secondary school and/or student support. (Eg: whole staff groups, pastoral care/student support staff, learning support teams, discipline teams, executive teams, faculty groups, school community groups working on projects where student connection is important.) Components A PowerPoint presentation What Connects Students to School: Perspectives from students and staff in the context of MindMatters It has four sections    •  A. Background to student connection to school within MindMatters Plus    •  B. Study 1. Students with Support Needs in Mental Health and Wellbeing: Unheard Voices.    •  C. Study 2. Staff Voices: Connection to School for Students with Support Needs in Mental Health and Wellbeing    •  D. Implications of the staff and student perspectives from MM Plus on student connection for school practice. 'Reflection on Connection' Discussion Sheet Copies of Information Sheets 3 and 4 Information sheet 3: Students with support needs in mental health and wellbeing: Unheard Voice Information sheet 4: Staff Voices: What helps students with high mental health support needs connect to school? Planning a staff discussion Preview the PowerPoint, notes and Reflection on Connection Discussion Sheet Decide which segments of the PowerPoint and items in the Discussion Sheet will best suit your purpose and the group. Make copies of the Discussion sheet for group members. Some options for different kinds of sessions    •  Sections A and B will provide participants with information about a review of research on what young people with support needs say about engagement with school Students with support needs in mental health and wellbeing: Unheard Voices research:    •  Sections A and C will provide participants with information from Staff Voices: What helps students with support needs in mental health and wellbeing connect to school?    •  Sections A, B, C and D will provide participants with information from both studies and looks at their implications for school practice. School reflection on connection to school for students with high support needs Planning a staff discussion to follow viewing of any segments of the PowerPoint presentation: Background "Information for reflection" activity: The following four areas emerged as strong themes in helping students connect to school:    •  1. Young people would like to have student voices heard and valued much more at school    •  2. A welcoming, caring school environment that values diversity and personal safety and acts decisively against bullying, harassment and discrimination is a great basis for connection for students and staff    •  3. Increasing mental health literacy amongst staff and peers helps students with support needs and gives staff more confidence to manage students supportively    •  4. Reaching out to students with support needs to help them connect to school should form part of a planned school strategy with designated interested and capable staff working in a collegial team. The table incorporates statements related to these themes for reflection on school practice. You should feel free to select the items that have most relevance for your group. Aim to make the session you plan, interactive and enjoyable for staff. Activity    •  Discuss with someone you haven't spoken to in the last 2 days:         •  Think of a past experience in your childhood or adolescence where you felt connected. What was it? Who was involved in helping this connection?    •  Group discussion:         •  What are general connectors for our students?         •  Was there anything surprising/reassuring/interesting from the PowerPoint presentation?         •  Did you want to take issue with anything?    •  Discuss and complete the reflection sheet.    •  Plan relevant actions emerging from the reflection.