Professional development

Investing in your wellbeing and professional development, all wrapped in a holiday bow

Freya Lucas

Jan 28, 2020

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Was one of your 2020 goals to think more about your personal and professional wellbeing? Perhaps you promised yourself that this would be the year that you took a chance, stepped out of your comfort zone, and tried something new. Maybe you promised yourself you’d dust off your passport, and travel?

We’ve found a way for those working in early childhood education and care (ECEC) to do all three - the Wellbeing - Mana Atua conference, to be held in Rotorua, New Zealand, on 27-28 March 2020.

The Sector will be attending the conference to bring you all the coverage - but why not invest in yourself, your pedagogy, your wellbeing - and come along too? The motivation for the conference, organisers Childspace said, was the knowledge that the emotional health and wellbeing of kaiako (teachers/educators) has the biggest influence on tamariki (young people).

Designed to support educators to explore topics around children’s behaviour, understanding your unique gifts, supporting educator mental health, and nurturing an atmosphere of wellbeing, the conference features internationally renowned speakers such as Dr Tamar Jacobson, Nathan Wallis, and Dr Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere, as well as Australia’s own Sandi Phoenix and Gabby Millgate.

The conference platform is perfectly complimented by a range of “refueling and wellbeing options” on the Friday evening of the conference, including a trip to a Maori village nestled in a Rotorua forest, Wine Tasting at Volcanic Hills Winery reached via gondola, night-time mini golf, a poolside open mic night, or a unique spa experience under the stars at New Zealand's most active geothermal park.

With flights to New Zealand often cheaper than those interstate, what better time than now to make an investment in seeing the world, growing your pedagogical wings, and experiencing something new?

To review the conference program, please see here. For registration, or more information, please see here.

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