Calmer
classrooms
across Aotearoa
Pause Breathe Smile is a mind health programme that helps tamariki regulate emotions, pay attention and build positive relationships. Students develop resilience, increase self-awareness and improve overall happiness.
Southern Cross
Southern Cross has joined forces with the Pause Breathe Smile Trust to offer a mind health programme to children aged five to 12 in New Zealand. Together we want to equip every child in New Zealand with the tools to achieve positive mind health.
Southern Cross’ involvement makes it possible for Pause Breathe Smile to be made available free of charge to any primary and intermediate school in the country.
Since partnering with Southern Cross in 2020, the Pause Breathe Smile Charitable Trust has reached an additional
The Pause Breathe Smile teacher only day was the best external Professional Development we have ever been engaged in. The facilitator was engaging and incredibly knowledgeable and taught all aspects of the PBS programme in a contextually relevant way. All staff thoroughly enjoyed the PLD and came away with knowledge and skills to use personally and professionally. The PBS PLD was not only relevant to apply within classroom practice but also as part of teacher wellbeing self practice. We are excited to start our Schools PBS journey as we know it will have huge benefits to our diverse student wellbeing needs."
How it works
Whole School Approach – He waka eke noa Complete either a teacher only-day workshop (in person) OR 4 x1 hour multi-sessions (online).
Educator wellbeing - Te Hauora o te Kaiako Learn about wellbeing, practice mindfulness and access additional teacher-focused resources.
Resources - Ngā Rauemi tautoko Supported, quick implementation, digital pātaka that works alongside printed Educator Handbooks and Student Learning Journals.
Ongoing support & Research - Tau tīnea Underpinned by research & ongoing evaluation of each school. Regular opportunities to engage with others with other PBS educators and experts.
Please click the image of the brochure for more information:
How to get your school involved
Southern Cross involvement means that Pause Breathe Smile teacher training is fully funded for Primary and Intermediate Schools only. Contact us if you would like to arrange a professional development for your staff.
If you are a parent or caregiver who would love to see this programme in your child's school, please speak directly to your school to find out if they are aware of the programme and are considering implementing.
Latest research shows long lasting positive effects on wellbeing
For a second year, independent research has found teachers who have trained in and delivered Pause Breathe Smile, continue to report improvements in positive behaviours and attitudes, alongside reductions in negative or languishing behaviours and attitudes.
Key results:
- Teachers were asked to reflect on student wellbeing and to indicate if they have seen positive or negative changes since rolling out the programme. The aggregate student wellbeing score shows an increase of 16.8 per cent, and the perceived student wellbeing score shows an increase of 9.5 per cent.
- Increases in desirable behaviours and characteristics and decreases in those that are considered undesirable were identified. The measure of children flourishing saw a 10.6 per cent increase above the baseline score, while the measure of languishing saw a 7.1 per cent decrease.
- Children were described as being more lively, focused, perseverant and hopeful, and less disinterested, sad, troublesome, or pessimistic.
