During our PLD days before our rangatahi came back to school, us staff participated in ‘Pause, Breathe, Smile’ training. 

PBS is a mental wellbeing programme, designed to equip young people with skills to navigate lifes ups and downs. 

I have facilitated the first two lessons with Class 10 during Hauora classes. The first lesson was an introduction to mindfulness and involved guided meditation, learning about the brain and even eating lollies mindfully! 

Our second lesson introduced the practise of gratitude and we learned about how this can benefit our mental health. 

Class 10 reflected on being grateful for warm and dry housing, as they are aware of the tragic cyclone affecting many people in other regions of the country this week. We also practised mindful movement and found that after being still and quiet it feels great to move our bodies and be active. 

Mindfulness practise can be difficult but the more we practice it, the easier it will become! 

Rose