Learning lessons from positive psychology in education

National and international experts from the emerging field of positive psychology in education will meet at the University of Sydney this weekend for a symposium to discuss new findings, the latest research and real life success stories. The Second Australian Positive Psychology in Education Symposium, to be held on Saturday 16 April, is hosted by the University of Sydney Coaching Psychology Unit , a centre that is producing some of the key thinkers and graduates in the field. The symposium directors are Dr Anthony Grant , well known to ABC viewers for his role hosting the series Making Australia Happy , and Dr Suzy Green, adjunct lecturer with the Coaching Psychology Unit and co-founder of the Positive Psychology Institute. "High levels of stress and anxiety experienced by both staff and students is common in educational institutions," said Dr Green. "The great thing about positive psychology is that it focuses on individual strengths, striving for goals and building resilience and well-being. "Positive psychology can provide youth, who experience high rates of mental illness, with tools to help them deal with stress and problems throughout their life. Instead of merely treating symptoms of distress and dysfunction, positive psychology focuses on mental health promotion and prevention activities." The conference will hear from dozens of speakers, including the headmaster of Knox Grammar School, John Weeks, the director of Clovelly Childcare Centre, Natasha Newtown, (both NSW) and international coaching expert from the University of Kansas, Dr Jim Knight.