SERVICES AVAILABLE TO QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS

• Student Game Sessions
• 2 hour after school PD Workshops
• One-day PD Workshops
• Parent Workshops

Note: Travel charges apply to schools outside the Brisbane Metro area.

All workshops facilitated by Sean Smith

To contact Sean, please email sean@thegamefactory.com.au or phone 0420 904 145

STUDENT GAMES SESSIONS

Students will participate in a range of games and activities from the PLAY IS THE WAY™ Program that require the following to succeed:

• control of emotions
• management of relationships
• motivation
• self-awareness
• cooperation
• empathy

In playing, difficulties will be encountered, discussion will be necessary and persistence will be strengthened.

Guided by the facilitator, students will learn about themselves and each other. They will begin the development of a simple vocabulary that will help them to describe, understand and ultimately take charge of their own behaviour.

Although it is anticipated that participating students will have lots of fun, that is not the primary objective of the sessions. To this end, if situations arise that need to be addressed, for the sake of personal or collective development, they will be addressed, even if in doing so fun is reduced.

Year level: Year 1 to Year 7

Duration: 1 hour per class comprised of:

• 45 minutes of games, activities and discussion with students.
• 10 minutes for discussion and feedback with classroom teacher.
• 5 minutes for change over.

Number of games sessions per day: A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 sessions per day.

Number of Participants: Approximately 14 to 30 students.

As the purpose of the sessions is to assist in the development of pro-social behaviour, it is important not to mix or combine classes as this alters the dynamics and tendencies of the class, making it harder to “read” accurately.

Cost: $5.50 per student with a minimum charge of $110 per class (includes GST).

The number of students will be counted at the start of each session and confirmed with the class teacher. An invoice for the total number of students attending sessions will be forwarded after the last session at the school or at the end of each week of sessions.

Venue: A large open space (approximately 200M2 or more) preferably undercover. No seating is required except for any teachers or adults who may be observing. Please make sure the space is free from intrusions and distractions during games sessions.

Sharing the space with other groups is distracting and reduces the amount that can be achieved. If the space is used as a general thoroughfare, it is requested that students and staff use alternative routes during games sessions.

Dress requirements: Students are asked to wear sensible footwear that permits safe and energetic involvement. Hats are not required when sessions are held undercover and should be removed prior to the start of a session.

Please ensure that students wear easy to read name labels. This allows for more immediate, direct and polite contact between the facilitator and students.

Special Needs: It is expected that students with special needs, who normally have an aide, will be accompanied and assisted by their aide during the session.

While every attempt will be made to include students with special needs in the games and activities, there may be occasions when that is not possible.

Observers: Teachers and other adults observing the class are asked to sit to the side of the space. No assistance is required during the session and those observing are asked to offer participating students the respect of being attentive and quiet.

2 HOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Designed for schools with insufficient time and/or a limited budget, the 2 hour workshop aims to give schools a firm grounding in the key aspects of the PLAY IS THE WAY™ Program.

Teachers will experience a few of the games and activities and gain an understanding of how these are used to help children learn the skills to manage their emotions and master their behaviour.

Though lacking the depth and saturation of the one-day workshop, the 2 hour workshop does at least allow teachers a significant taste of the program and its potential.

A SECOND 2 HOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Schools wanting the benefits of a more sustained experience of the program can arrange to hold a second 2 hour workshop when time and budget permit.

The second 2 hour workshop will continue the journey of participants by deepening their knowledge, increasing their confidence with the many elements of the program and expanding their direct experience of the many games and activities within the program.

The second workshop, like the one-day workshop, assists teachers to feel more motivated, assured, comfortable and ready to use the PLAY IS THE WAY™ Program to its full potential.

Who should attend: It is strongly recommended that all staff (teachers, aides, specialist teachers, assistants and administration staff who have regular contact with children) attend the workshop. By doing so, a whole school culture can be established to support and propel the program.

Duration: 2 hours

Number of participants: Approximately 14 to 50.

Cost: $80 per participant with a minimum charge of $1,600 (includes GST).

Numbers will be counted on the day. Participants choosing to only attend a part of the workshop will be charged the full fee.

Deposit: A $200 non-refundable deposit is required to secure the booking.

Venue: A large open space (approximately 150 to 200m2). The space can be indoors or outdoors but if outdoors it will need to be under cover.

ONE DAY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Teachers need opportunities to re-energise their batteries. They need to activate their bodies, engage their minds and interact with each other.

This workshop is a welcome respite from the demands of teaching. Using games that encourage interaction and the exchange of ideas, teachers will be amused, intrigued and inspired by the things that happen.

Played in a large open space with simple equipment, the games present challenges that require a variety of skills and knowledge from the participants. Having directly experienced the games, teachers can take them to their students and see the positive results they bring.

Working with others keeps the energy high, the fun equally so, the observations focussed and the camaraderie strong.

THE WORKSHOP: PLAY IS THE WAY™

• Tackles many of the behaviours that upset classroom dynamics.
• Helps participants to use the simple but powerful language of the program.
• Gives participants an empathetic and knowledgeable understanding of what students will experience.
• Demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategies, principles and philosophies that underpin the program.
• Gets everyone together in a day of enjoyable learning and activity.

Who should attend: It is strongly recommended that all staff (teachers, aides, specialist teachers, assistants and administration staff who have regular contact with children) attend the workshop. By doing so, a whole school culture can be established to support and propel the program.

Duration: 4.5 hours broken into 3 × 1.5 hour sessions. There will be a short break for morning tea and a break for lunch.

Number of Participants: Approximately 14 to 50.

Cost: $120 per participant with a minimum charge of $2,400 (includes GST).

Numbers will be counted on the day. Participants choosing to only attend a part of the workshop will be charged the full fee.

Deposit: A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure the booking.

Venue: A large open space (approximately 150 to 200m2). The space can be indoors or outdoors but if outdoors it will need to be under cover.

PARENT WORKSHOP

Note: Parent workshops are only available to schools that are using the PLAY IS THE WAY™ Program.

Sean Smith presents a 90 minute workshop that encourages a strong partnership between parents and teachers to build safe schools and help children to:

• master their behaviour
• shape their character
• be considerate of others
• fulfil their potential

Together we can guide and train children to:

• live rich and full lives
• make the most of their opportunities
• rise above their disappointments and failures
• be resilient and to persevere

Join Sean in a workshop that is often humorous, always relevant, engaging and practical. It’s an evening of ideas, observations and strategies that will help you to help your children along the frequently difficult journey of living and learning well.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Number of Participants: Minimum of 14.

Cost: $550 for 14-50 participants, $770 for 50+ participants (includes GST).

Venue: A large open space (approximately 150 to 200m2). The space can be indoors or outdoors but if outdoors it will need to be under cover.