Building Resilience in
Children and Young
People
An Overview
Teacher Professional
Development
Building Resilience
Building Resilience is based on research which highlights the importance of taking a
multi-dimensional school-wide approach to building resilience. It assists schools to:
• Partner with the school community, including families and local and community
services
• Lead activity across the school, orchestrating a comprehensive approach
• Teach social and emotional skills to all students across all year levels
• Support those young people identified as needing additional assistance
• Refer those in need to appropriate services
Building Resilience
Social and Emotional Learning Lesson Materials
• The Building Resilience Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lesson
materials are informed by a strong evidence base that highlights the
elements of effective SEL programs
• These lessons use a range of collaborative learning activities such as:
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paired sharing
small group problem-solving discussions
scenario-based discussions
skills-development exercises
role-plays
Storytelling
Games
experiential activities
class discussions
Building Resilience
Social and Emotional Learning Lesson Materials are
available Across all AusVELS Levels:
Primary
Secondary
Foundation
Level 7-8
Level 1-2
Level 9-10
Level 3-4
Level 11-12
Level 5-6
VCE/ VCAL
SEL materials have also been developed for use with students in Year 11-12 (those in VCE/VCAL)
Building Resilience
Social and Emotional Learning Topics for All Year Levels
Topic 1:
Emotional literacy
Topic 2:
Personal strengths
Topic 3:
Positive coping
Topic 4:
Problem-solving
Topic 5:
Stress management
Topic 6:
Help-seeking
Building Resilience
SEL Lesson Materials and the AUSVELS
These lesson materials link to the following aspects of the AusVELS
curriculum:
General Capabilities:
• Personal and Social Capability
• Critical and Creative Thinking Capability
Learning Areas:
• Health and Physical Education (HPE) – sub-strands Being Healthy safe
and active and Communicating and interacting for health and wellbeing
• English – Speaking and Listening; Reading and Viewing
Building Resilience
SEL Lesson Materials and VCE/ VCAL
The lesson materials designed for the post-compulsory years can be used in
a variety of ways:
• specific VCE study or orientation camps
• programs designed to help VCE students manage exam stress and learn
relaxation techniques
• daily or weekly 20-60 minute home group or pastoral sessions
• careers education programs
• part of the school wellbeing team’s response to specific VCE/VCAL issues or
events
• as source material for creative writing
• as a regular or one off element of the English classroom
• lunchtime or after school activities
• special ‘days’ or events held for post-compulsory students
• as an integral part of the VCAL curriculum
Building Resilience
Online Portal
Building Resilience online assists schools to easily access the wealth of
programs, organisations, tools, and resources designed to enhance the
resilience of children and young people. This includes:
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information, advice and resources and which assist in the leadership of schoolwide approaches to fostering the resilience and wellbeing of students and staff,
a wide range of evidence-based materials and resources developed both by the
Department and external organisations, to assist teachers to educate across
key health and wellbeing areas
resources to guide schools in supporting all students, including those with
additional needs, as well as advice on appropriate referral pathways for
students requiring specialist assessment or intervention
For further information see: www.education.vic.gov.au/resilience