About

Wellbeing and Education (WE) Research Community proudly presents a WE Seminar Series on arts and wellbeing.

Join Dr Christina Gray and Dr Jason Goopy and host Professor Narelle Lemon (WE Lead) for in-depth insights, conversations and an afternoon tea.

Belongingness, trust and connection: How expert Arts teachers in Western Australian schools create and maintain supportive and safe learning spaces - presented by Dr Christina Gray

Central to this phenomenological inquiry is the question of how students’ fundamental needs of belonging, trust and connection are enacted in Arts classrooms? Through qualitative semi- structured interviews, this research explores the teaching practices of 15 expert Arts teachers in Western Australian schools, revealing strategies to sustain supportive and safe learning environments. The findings highlight the disconnection students face in their schools and the significance of trust in embracing diversity, cultivating quality relationships, and empowering student voice. Understanding these evolving practices can enable less experienced teachers to adapt Arts-based approaches to foster inclusive spaces that prioritise student well-being and connection.

“Music is always there for me”: Narratives of adolescents using music to support their wellbeing - presented by Dr Jason Goopy.

The wellbeing of young people is a complex and significant challenge facing schools. Compelling evidence reports that music-making and listening can support people’s well-being in non-invasive and alternative ways. This paper presents the narratives of two adolescents, Ellie and Rowan, who share how they use music to support their wellbeing and flourish. Both students are in Year 11 at a small alternative music-focused independent senior secondary school. The school uses music to engage students and assist them through their final years of schooling, leading to positive educational and life outcomes. Using narrative inquiry and arts-based methods, rich data were generated using share and tell individual interviews with students. The feature narratives of Ellie and Rowan, incorporating collected drawings and music, represent stories of youth in dissonance with the education system and who have turned to music as a way through school and life.

Location

Mount Lawley Campus
Theatre Sixteen (Building 16), 2 Bradford St, Mount Lawley WA 6050

Contact Event Organiser