Proserpine SHS embracing resilience

Resilience is more important than ever in uncertain times, and Proserpine State High School are showing how gratitude, empathy and mindfulness can help their students and staff stay positive and mentally healthy.

Proserpine SHS are the first school in the Whitsundays region to join The Resilience Project family, signing up for the digital program delivered in conjunction with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and proudly supported by the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).

Over 1,000 students from Year 7-12 will participate in one lesson per week from Term 2, engaging in the principles of GEM (gratitude, empathy, mindfulness) using a combination of video messages and interactive lessons.

The Cowboys TRP team, including former NRL player Ray Thompson, introduced staff and students to the program during Immersion Week, the official 'kick off' to the program.

As part of their orientation, teachers completed their own Gratitude Tree by sharing what they are grateful for, before rolling the exercise out to their classes.

"It was wonderful to see the school come together and everybody lift – people walked out motivated, excited and everyone was smiling," Cowboys program manager Gayle de la Cruz said.

"It's very uplifting and you can see it working in front of your eyes.

"We're excited to welcome Proserpine State High School to the program and to be working with such a proactive, passionate teaching staff." 

Prosperine State High School Principal Don McDermid described the workshops as "an amazing start" to The Resilience Program in their school.

"We were impressed with how quickly the students grasped the concepts. The digital delivery was extremely effective and well presented by Ray," Mr McDermid said.

The Cowboys and TRP are partnering with 21 northern region schools in 2020, including 12 Townsville schools and nine schools from Cairns and the Tablelands, reaching around 15,500 students.

For more information, visit theresilienceproject.com.au.