What Is PERMA? PERMA is a special word made up of five letters, each representing a different key to happiness and wellbeing. Think of them as ingredients that, when combined, create the perfect recipe for a happy and fulfilling life.

1. Positive Emotions (P): Positive emotions are like little bursts of happiness that make our hearts sing. They can be as simple as feeling joyful when you see a rainbow or sharing a laugh with friends. To boost positive emotions, try to focus on the good things in life, like your favourite activities, fun times with family, or even a delicious ice cream cone on a sunny day.
2. Engagement (E): Engagement means being fully involved and absorbed in what you’re doing. It’s that feeling when time flies by because you’re having so much fun. Whether you’re painting, playing a game, or reading a fascinating book, getting lost in an activity you love can bring you lots of happiness.
3. Relationships (R): Having good friends and a loving family is like having treasures beyond measure. Building strong and positive relationships with the people around you is a key part of wellbeing. Spend time with your loved ones, share your feelings, and lend a helping hand when they need it.
4. Meaning (M): Finding meaning in life is like discovering a special mission just for you. It could be something as simple as taking care of your pets or helping others in need. When you feel like you’re making a positive difference in the world, it fills your heart with happiness and satisfaction.
5. Accomplishment (A): Achieving goals, no matter how big or small, gives us a sense of accomplishment. Think of it as earning stars in your adventure journal. Set goals for yourself, like learning a new skill or doing well in school, and celebrate your successes along the way.

Putting It All Together: Imagine PERMA as five colorful puzzle pieces that fit together to create a beautiful picture of happiness. Just like a puzzle, it may take some time to figure out how to make each piece fit perfectly in your life. But don’t worry; everyone’s puzzle looks different, and that’s what makes life exciting!

Here is the BHPS break down of the PERMA

Remember, happiness isn’t about having everything perfect all the time. It’s about enjoying the journey, learning from challenges, and embracing the little moments that make life wonderful.

The PERMA formula is like a treasure map to happiness, guiding you through the magical world of positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. You can choose just one statement from our PERMA model as a goal. We can use this map to find happiness and live our lives to their fullest potential.

This Beautiful Day

Happy Dreamer by Peter Reynolds

There is a saying that “Kindness makes the world go around!” and do you know what? I agree. One of the best things about kindness is that when you do something kind for someone else, it makes you feel really good.

The character strength of kindness sits within the “Positive Emotions” arm of our PERMA model.

Kindness is my favourite character strength and when classes are surveyed, guess which character strength is usually the most popular? You guessed right – kindness.

We never forget when someone has shown kindness towards us, but research has shown that the wellbeing benefits of being kind to others is far greater than receiving kindness!

Kindness can be as easy as smiling at someone and saying hello.

Here are a few reasons for being kind:

 Being kind feels good.  Doing something for someone else really does make us feel good.  Just as running releases endorphins, so does kindness.   Make someone smile and you’ll feel better for having done so.

Kindness broadens our perspective.  In order to be kind, we have to pay attention to what is happening around us.  As we notice more things and help others, we get a glimpse of other ways of looking at things.  A broader perspective helps us to keep things in context.

Kindness softens our heart.  When we look for kind deeds, beauty, and the opportunity for kindness, we’ll find that we are more compassionate and more tolerant.  As we practice empathy, it opens our heart to others.  

Kindness brightens our world.  When we are kind to people, it makes them happy.  The more people who experience kindness from us, the more happy people will be in our lives.  When those around us are happier, our world becomes a brighter, lighter place to live.

Kindness helps people feel respected and less alone.  By recognising someone’s need for help and acting on it in a compassionate manner, it makes the recipient feel valued.  It also makes the giver feel better about themselves and more connected.

Kindness makes people want to be around us.  One of the most common responses to kindness is gratitude.  People appreciate what we’ve done for them.  Our kindness is very attractive, so they want to be around us and actually seek us out.  

Kindness bears wonderful fruit.  Kindness begets kindness, openness, health and reduces the effects of stress on our bodies and our hearts

Kindness begets kindness.  When you are kind to others, the impact of your action doesn’t stop there.  Many times the recipient of your kindness and others who see or hear about your kindness are inspired to be kinder.  The ripples of kindness are truly endless.

One of my favourite quotes is: “In a world where you can be anything, choose kind.”

Random Acts of Kindness

All about Kindness

Kid President Kindness

The Science of Kindness

People who are strong in the character strength “appreciation of beauty and excellence”  notice and enjoy the beauty, skill and excellence involved in things around them including nature, art and architecture.

These people notice and enjoy beauty in many places and they notice and enjoy watching people who are talented or very skilled in what they do. An example of this is when you admire a classmate who is awesome at drawing or writing.

Personally, I like to take photos to capture the beauty of nature, like the one above which I took when hiking in Europe last year. I find that Barwon Heads, especially the beachs, has no end of natural beauty – where is your favourite spot?

Hope you enjoy this clip which we recorded in 2021!

An inspirational person who I would say posesses this strength is David Attenborough. He shares his love of the natural environment through his films. I love this quote by David Attenborough:

“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure”.

A message of hope and celebration of nature from David Attenborough

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

The Dot by Peter Reynolds

Henri Matisse was a famous French artist who painted and made collages. Maybe you will feel inspired to make your own colour block collage after watching this!

The beauty of nature

Draw, or describe a time when you were in nature and felt a sense of wonder because of your surroundings.

Have you ever wondered why a good laugh can make you feel so amazing? Humour is a strength that’s not just about giggles and chuckles, but also about building strong character traits. Get ready to discover why humour is more than just a funny face!

What is Humour?: Humor is like a magical potion that can make people laugh, smile, and feel happier. It’s like a secret code that helps us find the funny side of things, even in tough times. Imagine being able to turn a frown into a smile just by telling a funny joke or making a silly face. That’s the power of humour!

Humour comes within the Positive Emotions arm of our PosEd model and is a great tool to use to improve how you are feeling.

Why is Humor a Superpower?:

1. Building Friendships: Imagine meeting someone new and making them laugh. It’s like a friendship spell that instantly makes you friends! People love to be around those who make them laugh, so humor helps you connect with others.
2. Spreading Joy: Have you ever seen someone’s face light up when you tell a funny story? That’s because humor spreads happiness like sunshine. When you make someone laugh, you’re sharing a special gift with them.
3. Problem Solver: Humor isn’t just about jokes; it can also help you solve problems. When you face a tricky situation, finding something funny about it can help you think creatively and find solutions.

The Power of Smiles: When you laugh, your brain releases a magical potion called endorphins. These endorphins are like tiny happiness boosters that make you feel good inside. Have you noticed that after a hearty laugh, your whole body feels relaxed? That’s because humor is like a mini-vacation for your mind!

Different Ways to Use Humor:

1. Jokes: Knock-knock jokes, riddles, and puns are all great ways to spread a little laughter. Want to hear a joke? Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!
2. Silly Stories: Create your own funny stories with characters like talking animals or wacky wizards. Make them as silly as possible and watch your friends giggle!
3. Funny Faces: Sometimes, a goofy expression can make everyone burst into laughter. Experiment with funny faces in front of the mirror – you might discover a hilarious talent!

Using Humor Wisely: While humor is a fantastic superpower, remember to use it kindly and thoughtfully. Not everyone might find the same things funny, so be considerate of other people’s feelings. The best superheroes use their powers for good, and the same goes for the power of humour!

You’ve just unlocked the secrets of humor, a superpower that can make you a friend-magnet, a joy-spreader, and a creative problem-solver. With a funny joke or a silly face, you can brighten someone’s day and make the world a happier place. So, keep those giggles coming and remember, a smile is the best accessory you can wear every day!

Babies Laughing (8 mins)

The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors. (10.08)

Cute Pandas Doing Funny Things (2.05)

Walter the Farting Dog (7.49)

Share something that has made you laugh! It could be a book or something else that you have read, something

Self-control is a character strength that we all possess! Just like your favourite heroes, you have the power to harness self-control and use it to achieve amazing things in your life. So, let’s explore what self-control is and why it’s such a fantastic superpower to have.

What is Self-Control?

Imagine having your very own magic wand that helps you make better choices, stay focussed, and overcome challenges. That’s what self-control is – it’s like a superpower that lets you manage your thoughts, emotions, and actions, even when faced with tempting situations or difficult tasks.

The Benefits of Self-Control:

1. A Mindful Mastermind: With self-control, you become the mastermind of your thoughts. You can pause and think before reacting, making sure your decisions are thoughtful and wise. It helps you avoid impulsive actions that you might regret later.
2. Achieve Goals Like a Pro: Setting goals is like having a treasure map to success. Self-control helps you stay on track, even when the journey gets tough. It keeps you disciplined, motivated, and determined to reach those goals, no matter how big or small they may be.
3. Super Study Skills: Sometimes you can’t concentrate – Self-control to the rescue! It helps you focus on your studies and resist distractions, making you a super scholar. This is why Self-control fits within the “Engagement” arm of our PERMA.
4. Friendships Made Easy: Building strong and lasting friendships requires understanding and empathy. Self-control helps you manage conflicts and communicate effectively, making you an excellent friend and a great team player.
5. Superhero Resilience: Life sometimes throws curveballs, but with self-control, you can handle challenges. It enables you to bounce back from setbacks, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.
6. Health and Wellness Wonder: Self-control extends its magic to your health. It empowers you to make smart choices about what you eat, exercise, and sleep, keeping your body strong and your mind sharp.
7. Empowering Emotions: Emotions can be like a rollercoaster ride, but self-control helps you stay in the driver’s seat. It allows you to understand and manage your feelings, promoting emotional well-being and healthy relationships.

How to Harness Your Self-Control Superpower:

1. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is like your secret training ground for self-control. Take a few minutes each day to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice helps you become more aware of your impulses and empowers you to respond thoughtfully.
2. Set SMART Goals: SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Break your big dreams into smaller, manageable tasks, and use self-control to stay committed to each step.
3. Take Deep Breaths: When you feel overwhelmed or tempted to make a snap decision, take a deep breath. Breathing helps calm your mind and gives you the space to make wiser choices.
4. Seek Support from Others: Talk to your family, teachers, or friends about your goals and challenges. They can provide encouragement and accountability.

The self-control superpower is within you. Embrace it, nurture it, and watch as it transforms you into the best version of yourself. With self-control by your side, you’ll conquer any obstacle and soar to new heights in all areas of life!

Self Control (2 mins)

Read Aloud: The Choices I Make: Self-Regulation Skills by Michael Gordon

Again – Read Aloud

Self-Control (G 5-6)