Recognising the importance of mental health within the education sector, Tseung Kwan O Methodist Primary School has implemented a comprehensive 'Positive Education' initiative. This three-year programme, launched in September 2022, aims to promote the holistic development of students and cultivate a joyful campus for teaching staff, students, and parents.
The Five Pillars of Happiness: A Multifaceted Approach
The school's initiative drew inspiration from the ‘Theory of Happiness’ (PERMA) outlined in Dr Martin Seligman's book ‘Flourish’ (2011), the father of Positive Psychology. This multifaceted approach focuses on enhancing students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Principal Lam Tak Yuk acknowledged that the suspension of in-person lessons during the pandemic had adversely impacted students’ interpersonal interactions, emotion management, and problem-solving abilities. In response, the school has implemented a comprehensive program to address these challenges and foster students' overall development.
Under the guidance of Vice Principal Yiu Wing Kam, the programme has continued to evolve over the years. In the first year, the emphasis was on helping students build physical resilience and establish healthy exercise habits. This academic year, the focus has shifted to promoting positive thinking and healthy self-image among students, parents, and teachers. Next year’s programme will nurture students’ emotional development by fostering social support and meaningful community engagement. This holistic approach has been launched through the collaborative efforts of
various teams, including the Discipline and Guidance Team, the Support Team, the Public and Home-School Relations Team, the Arts Education Team, and the Physical Education Team. The enthusiastic participation of class teachers, students, and parents has also played a pivotal role in creating a happy campus environment.
(The school provides support through diverse activities and emotional awareness programmes.)
Diverse Programme Experiences
As the core members of this comprehensive initiative, Ms Yip Kam Man and Ms Cheng Yue Yan shared insights into the diverse range of stimulating activities implemented across the school. These include the weekly Parent-Child Morning Activity held on Fridays, the ‘Nap Nap Corner’ for relaxation on ‘Joyful Fridays’, and the ‘330 Mini-Break’ —a 3 -minute 30-second session of stretching and breathing exercises for both teachers and students on Tuesday mornings. The initiative also features lessons on emotional awareness, a month-long Thanksgiving celebration, and the 'One Page Profile' exercise, wherein teachers engage in one-on-one dialogues with each student. Additionally, the school has organised a series of stage performances showcasing students’ talents, such as the ‘TKOMPS GOT TALENT’ show, piano recitals, parent-child joint painting exhibitions, and autograph signing sessions. The school has also implemented various reward schemes, allowing students to accumulate mileage points through on-campus exercises, which they can then redeem for various rewards.
(During the ‘330 mini-break’ activity, teachers and students learned to relax by focusing on stretching and breathing exercises.)
Key to Success: Parent-School Collaboration
Ms Yip highlighted an impressive example from the school's ParentChild Joint Painting Exhibition. In this event, one participating student overcame his shyness and bravely faced his classmates’ questions. He enthusiastically shared his creative ideas and expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mother for nurturing his artistic talents. Principal Lam further elaborated on the significance of such performance platforms. They enable students to express their strengths, affirm their selfworth, and bolster their self-confidence and positive thinking.
(‘Heart to Heart’ Day aims to enhance physical and mental health for teachers, students, and parents and help students build resilience to face life's challenges.)
The school’s annual 'Heart to Heart' Day is another impactful event. In April, the school invited over 850 students and 900 parents to participate in various physical activities. These included morning exercises for the school community of over 1,700 people, the 2nd Annual Parent-Child Daze Competition, a Cup Stacking Contest, and a harbour-front walk. Vice Principal Yiu explained that this themed day of activities fostered collaboration and connection among teachers, students, and parents. The Daze Contest, where parents and children gazed at each other in a moment of stillness, left a profound and unforgettable experience for many parents. It made them realise they had not taken the time to truly connect with their children in this way for a long time. Recognising the value of this emotional bond between parents and children, the school plans to extend its reach into the local community in the coming year, further forging connections with the church to enrich the spiritual wellbeing of the entire school community.
Prioritising Educators' Physical and Mental Well-being in Education
Education, being fundamentally focused on people, places great importance on teachers’ physical and mental well-being. Principal Lam, with over a decade of experience in the education sector, is deeply committed to promoting comprehensive health programmes on and beyond the campus. Principal Lam expressed, ‘I greatly appreciate teachers’ enthusiasm for championing students’ and parents’ physical and emotional health. We hope to provide a robust support system to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of our teaching staff.’ To achieve this, the school has implemented a series of innovative measures. This includes the implementation of fortnightly 'half-day schooling' in November, March, and June, allowing teachers and students to enjoy
respite without disrupting the learning and teaching process. Furthermore, the school plans to create leisure facilities within the teachers’ lounge, fostering a communal space for relaxation and rejuvenation.
(Source: Learning & Teaching Expo 2024 Newsletter)
Learning & Teaching Expo 2024
Register now to secure your admission ticket and take part in a series of insightful seminars and workshops. Connect with top education experts and fellow educators. All attending teachers are eligible to claim up to 24 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.