Welcome to our summer newsletter 

It's good to report that VisionWorks is going global . . . well at least going to Germany and China. To celebrate exam season here are a few funny test answers:

Q: Name the four seasons.

A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

 
Q: What is a terminal illness?
A: When you are sick at the airport.

Best wishes, Sue, Janet and Ruthie

FREE Online seminar - How can emotional literacy help relationships in schools?  

Join us online on Thursday 16 June 6.30-7.30pm  

Click here to register for this interactive session to explore the importance of relationships in schools, whether with students or teachers or both. Join us to discuss how emotional literacy boosts this vital ingredient for a productive learning environment.

We all want to change the world 

As we continue to promote our vision of Emotional Intelligence as an integral part of teaching in all schools worldwide (think big!), it is encouraging to read about Martin Seligman's work with David Cameron (The Times 21.05.11).

Martin Seligman is the American positive psychologist who is "bringing the science of wellbeing to Britain", Giles Whittell writes. He has met with David Halpern, the Big Society advisor and consequently, among other things, a British wellbeing index is being compiled by the Office for National Statistics. Through his research he is able to suggest the right action to promote wellbeing. Whittell goes on to say that Seligman sees Cameron as "bold and brave, rather than cynical, in worrying about how we are feeling".

Whatever the politics, it is encouraging to know that someone at government level realises the importance of emotions.

Seligman says, "I really care about changing the world. I believe that because of my work there's a good chance the world will be a better place."

Good news indeed.                                                                                  Janet Grant 

Survey results and winner   

Thank you for your responses to our online survey in the May newsletter. It is great to see how many of you use the FREE online downloads available here and we promise to keep adding more.   

We picked a winner and Linda Sylvester at Alpha Plus Fostering will receive an Insight series this week.

Your creative ideas for resources are also welcome so email us at info@vision-works.net if you want to add to the list of activities.  

Teachers' festival in Germany

I'm prepared to bet that, however much you enjoy the role you play in education, you are counting down the days till the summer holidays. The break stretches out endlessly in front of you on that last day of term; five weeks feels like forever.

This year, though, it will be different for me. On July 30th I'll be going to Bremen where I have been invited to do a half day VisionWorks workshop at a Teachers' Festival. I know. I've never been to Teachers' Festival either.

It takes place by a beautiful lake, deep in the countryside. There teachers gather to relax with sauna, massage, meditation, swimming and good food. They can join in workshops and listen to speakers. It all sounds gloriously chilled and Emotionally Intelligent before we even start.

If anyone knows of anything like this in the UK, please tell us. I'll let you know in September how I got on. Unless, of course, I'm too chilled to make the plane back.

Janet Grant

China welcomes VisionWorks

In late July 2011 I will be training teachers in Shenzhen, China for a 10 day seminar. They are keen to learn about our programmes, and also about questions of emotional literacy that have been high on our educational agenda in the UK with SEAL. In setting up this event with the Chinese organisers, I have been impressed by their refreshing open mindedness and enthusiasm for our work; they welcome new and inventive possibilities for their students and teachers.                                    Sue Allen 

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