Kimberley O’Brien, the Principal Psychologist at The Quirky Kid Clinic, is honoured to be invited to participate in the event hosted by the Sydney High School Old Boy’s Union. Kimberley is the only female speaker at this event. The event will take place in The Great Hall at Sydney Boys High School and will start at 5:30 sharp.
Kimberley’s topic ‘How to be a High Achiever’, will cover interesting information about boys and their day to day lives as well as what makes a high achiever and how schools can best support them. Below are the slides of the presentation:
High Achievers Presentation. from Quirky Kid on Vimeo.
The event is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable insights from some of the school amazing old boys, like Tony Abrahams ( CEO, Access Innovation Media), Paul Almond (Special Counsel, DibbsBarker Lawyers & owner of the The Flying Pan restaurants, Hong Kong, Jack M Bancroft (CEO, Australian Indigenous Mentoring), Dominic Grimm (World Champion Rower), Tim Morris AM APM (Assistant Commissioner, Australian Federal Police), and many others.
300 participants will experience stimulating discussions involving 6 Panels involving professionals from Legal, Sports, Arts and Business sectors.
We all have relationships – with our partners, children, parents, friends, colleagues and many others. According to a new book being launched in Sydney, the quality of these relationships is critically important for our overall wellbeing.
As you may recall, Kimberley has co-authored a book chapter discussing Positive Parent-Child Relationships. The paperback edition of Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World (Springer 2012) will be launched in Sydney on Friday May 3rd at Gleebooks: 6 for 6.30pm. Professor Ann Brewer, deputy vice-chancellor at Sydney University – who is one of the authors – will be officiating.
Gleeb books have agreed to discount the price to $50 – a significant reduction from the original. Quirky Kid Shoppe will also stock the title and will be made available soon.
More information and reviews on http://amzn.to/Y8Ew58 (scroll to the bottom of the page).Several people involved with Wellbeing Australia have contributed to this volume which has 17 chapters on different aspects of relationships.
Adjunct Associate Professor Sue Roffey, from the University of Western Sydney and Director of Wellbeing Australia, is the editor of Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World.
The book brings together the views of a range of international experts, to explore the ways that we can “promote the positive” in various aspects of our lives – including in our roles as a leader, professional, mentor, teacher or parent.
“Our relationships all have a significant impact on our daily lives, including the way we perceive ourselves and others and the feelings we experience,” says Dr Roffey.
“A positive relationship can enrich our lives while a negative one can be the cause of deep distress. Unfortunately, much of the time we only give attention to relationships when things go wrong. That is why it is so important to understand in some depth how relationships might be enhanced in all areas of our lives.”
Dr Roffey, from the UWS School of Education and Centre for Positive Psychology and Education (CPPE), says Positive Relationships is firmly grounded in the science of positive psychology and has been written to appeal to a wide audience.
“Positive psychology has much to offer to enhance everyday living”, says Dr Roffey. “Healthy relationships can offer real meaning and sustainable fulfilment in our lives. Knowing what promotes the positive is the first step to authentic wellbeing.”
Professor Felicia Huppert, Director of the Well-Being Institute at the University of Cambridge says in the Foreword of Positive Relationships that this “seminal book moves beyond a focus on the individual, putting relationships at the heart of life going well.”
The chapters are authored by academics and practitioners from a range of disciplines and from across the world, each addressing positive relationships in the contexts of family, work, school and community.
The authors, and their respective chapters, include:
- Professor Ann Brewer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney – Positive Mentoring Relationships: Nurturing potential.
- Associate Professor Stephanie Jones and Dr Gretchen Brion-Meisels, Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA – Learning about Relationships.
- Professor Margaret Vickers and Associate Professor Florence McCarthy at the School of Education, University of Western Sydney – Positive Community Relations.
- Adjunct Professor Toni Noble, at Australian Catholic University (ACU), and Adjunct Professor Helen McGrath, at RMIT University – Wellbeing and Resilience in Young People and the Role of Positive Relationships.
- Adjunct Associate Professor Sue Roffey at the University of Western Sydney – Introduction and Developing Positive Relationships in Schools.
- Associate Professor Vagdevi Meunier, St Edwards University, Austin, Texas, USA and Wayne Baker, professional counsellor – Positive Couple Relationships: The evidence for long lasting relationship satisfaction and happiness.
- Dr Karen Majors, educational psychologist and professional tutor at the Institute of Education, London University – Friendships: the Power of Positive Alliance.
- Kimberly O’Brien, child psychologist and Director of the Quirky Kid Clinic, and Jane Mosco, educational psychologist – Positive Parent-child Relationships.
- Emilia Dowling, previously Head of Child Psychology at the Tavistock Clinic and visiting professor at Birkbeck College, London, and Di Elliot, systemic psychotherapist – Promoting Positive Outcomes for Children Experiencing Change in Family Relationships.
- Sue Langley, CEO of Emotional intelligence Worldwide – Positive Relationships at Work.
- Elizabeth Gillies, educational psychologist and previously Vice-President of International Mental Health Professionals in Japan – Positive Professional Relationships.
- Dr Hilary Armstrong, Director of Education at the Institute of Executive Coaching, Sydney – Spirited Leadership: Growing leaders for the future.
- Zalman Kastel, Director of the Together for Humanity Foundation – Positive Relations between Members of Groups with Divergent Beliefs and Cultures.
- Associate Professor Lois Edmund, Centre for Conflict Resolution Studies at the University of Winnipeg, Canada – Conflict and Confrontation.
- Peta Blood, Co-founder of Restorative Practices International – The repair and restoration of relationships.
- Robyn Hromek, Educational psychologist and Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney and Angela Walsh, Director of the Love Bites educational program for NAPCAN (National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) – Peaceful and compassionate futures: positive relationships as an antidote to violence.
“Each chapter of this book provides evidence on how healthy relationships enable both individuals and communities to flourish, what we can do to ensure these are the best they can be and what to do when difficulties arise,” says Dr Roffey.
“The evidence sometimes challenges current beliefs, for example what constitutes good leadership and how emotionally intelligent relationships make all the difference to effective work environments.
“The book predominately focuses on our shared humanity – what we all have in common, rather than what divides us. The overarching themes are fostering positive communication practices, treating each other with respect and building social capital.”
Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World, published by Springer, is now available for purchase with five star reviews on Amazon.
Professor Ann Brewer will speak at the Official Launch, to be held at Gleebooks in Sydney.
From UWS Wedbsite
Below is our Media Wrap-up and latest media appearances for the last few months. Kimberley O’Brien and the Quirky Kid contributed with the following publications to explore topics of interest of parents and their families.2GB Radio and The Ray Hadley Morning Show spoken with Kimberley O’Brien on how to talk to kids about a disaster
- 2GB Radio and The Ray Hadley Morning Show spoken with Kimberley O’Brien on how to talk to kids about a disaster
- 2sm FM Radio in Sydney also contacted us about the US shooting.
- SMH Reporter Stephanie Gardiner spoken with us regarding the possible trauma experience children and adolescents may experience when attending to court following a particular event.
- The Daily Telegraph and News.com.au report Richard Noone spoke with us regarding children and trauma following the US Shottig
- ABC 3 contacted us to gain some insight into Kids and stress for they series : My Big Adventure. Check out this great resource with videos and interviews
- The Morning Show invited us into the studios to talk about Gifted Children
- The Australian Associated Press discussed with us ” How to raise a culture child?”
- Kate Walsh from The Illawara Mercury contact us to write a story about Social Skills inspired on our Social Skills program, The Best of Friends.
- 2UE radio presenter Martine Drewe also contacted us to talk bout parent-child relationship
- Women’s Weekly reporter discussed with Kimberley how to manage step-parenting
- WIN News in the Illawarra visited our Austinmer office to interview Kimberley on children and obesity.
- Practical Parenting parenting sent us a very long questionnaire on Toddler and changes
- ABC Radio Sydney had a chat with Kimberley about Kids and Social media
- more to come….
If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please contact us to schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media. View our media appearances to-date.
Quirky Kid enjoyed a few whirlwind trips in May for three exceptional conferences in the field of education. One in Sao Paulo, one in Fremantle and one in Melbourne and they were all excellent for different reasons.
Brazil Conference
‘Educador’ in Brazil with over 14000 people in attendance was a major event with a very social atmosphere. It was an exciting opportunity to meet other speakers and to experience using translators for the first time in the context of a seminar with 400 kindhearted participants.
I was overwhelmed to have a line up of lovely teachers asking for a photo together after my presentation. After months of preparation, it was one of most unique highlights of my life to be a part of this thriving education community! QK are thrilled to accept their invitation to return in 2013.
All images by Andreia Naomi e da Futuro Eventos
The local media and prestigious local magazine the Revista Veja, also spoken with Kimberley. Kimberley also discussed the conference topic with a post on Families-school relationship.
Positive Schools
Positive Schools in Fremantle was a great opportunity to talk with teachers working in Western Australia, many of whom are based in remote communities working with indigenous children with limited classroom support. I was pleased to hear the visual resources developed by QK have been well-received and there was particular interest in the new “Tickets” reward system to revamp old behaviour management patterns.
This conference was also an opportunity to connect with the lovely ACER representatives selling our resources and to provide more tips on how to apply them in diverse settings.
Melbourne
The Melbourne Positive Schools conference was held at the exquisite Melbourne Convention Centre and the auditorium was absolutely slick! Positive Schools was my chance to listen to Michael Carr-Gregg and Andrew Fuller, Bernadette Black and other similarly inspiring colleagues I rarely meet in person. I look forward to delivering more video footage of young people on the big screen next year. Overall, the May conferences were an adrenaline boost with an ample serving of special new contacts – Thank you!
The Quirky Kid Clinic provides the media with commentary and advice on child, adolescent and family related issues.
Below is the list of articles and segments we have been contributing over the last few months.
- Reporter Tanya Paolucci from the Illawarra Mercury discuss with Kimberley the importance of ‘extra curricular’ activities for the mental and physical development of babies and toddlers.
- Evelyn Yamine from The Sunday Telegraph discussed ‘back to school blues’ and children social skills’ with Kimberley O;Brien.
- Host Red Symonds from 774 ABC Melbourne discussed with Kimberley ‘Children and Television’ and media usage.
- Harry Ledowsky on ‘Thursday morning radio show on FM99.3, discussed “children’s social skills being stunted by screen addiction” with Kimberley.
- SMH reporter Stephanie Gardiner discussed the many incidents involving adolescent boys and investigated what fuels risk taking behavior in adolescence.
- Woolworth Baby and Toddler club spoke with Kimberley and Quirky Kid about toddlers milestones. The article is full of useful information and advise for parents. There was a follow up articles well about 3 to 4 years old toddlers.
- Julie Tyers contacted us for an article for Practical Parenting Magazine about ‘bringing up your children when you do not have support’.
- Jennifer Moron discussed with Kimberley about issues concerning children’s attachments to dummies, blankets and toys for the Australian Family Magazine
- SMH report Amy McNeile discusses peer pressure with Kimberley after a tragic accident in the US.
There are lots other interviews and we will be trying to upload it here once they are out. You can contact us on 02 9362 9297 to schedule an interview.
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