Have you heard your child talk about a guard dog, the sifting sooty, a sensitive octopus, an elephant who tries to remember and a wise owl? You may be wondering what on earth this is all about!

At Woodlupine, we believe that education is about academic achievement AND about developing well-rounded individuals who can navigate the complexities of life. We know that when children have the skills of resilience, emotional regulation, and perspective, they will do better socially, academically, and physically. With the Grow Your Mind program, we aim to provide our students with the tools and resources they need to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Each animal represents a key part of the brain and now that we are a Grow Your Mind school, you can expect to hear more about it.



Why the animals? Why the brain? And why Grow Your Mind?

The animals are a playful and engaging way to teach children about their brain and some of the core functions. Linking social and emotional wellbeing habits to the brain provides purpose and sparks a child’s interest in topics that may otherwise cause a yawn or eye roll! E.g. gratitude, exercise, healthy friendships, and growth mindset are just a few examples.

We chose this program for 4 core reasons:

1. All the content within the platform is linked to both NSW and Australian curriculum.

2. The program has been independently reviewed by the University of Wollongong with results showing positive gains in psychological and physical wellbeing as well as a greater sense of connection and belonging. See full report

3. Grow Your Mind provides a detailed learning continuum so that students are exposed to different topics and learning activities in each year group. An example of this can be seen here:



And finally:

4. Grow Your Mind provides a whole school approach to wellbeing. This means your mental health matters too - as does ours as a staff. The program provides accessible information we can pass on to you as parents and carers. Including their free, award-winning podcast that we hope you make the most of at home and in the car.


Find out more about the podcast here: https://growyourmind.life/podcast/

Find out more about the animals by watching this short YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI1xY_Hj3U4