Seasons for Life Initiative

Fully funded training for secondary school staff across Australia.

What is Seasons for Life?

Seasons for Life is a funded initiative from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and delivered by MacKillop Seasons. The initiative supports secondary school staff to access training, resources, whole-school professional learning and parent/carer sessions to support children and young people to respond to change, loss and grief, including suicide‑related loss.

The initiative trains school staff to run small group programs for students that build their social and emotional skills, connection, sense of belonging and resilience, in evidence‑based ways to better navigate times of life change, loss, grief, and bereavement, including suicide. Seasons has a 30 year evidence base demonstrating strengthening of social and emotional skills for children and young people serving as protective factors in managing change, grief and loss.

What do you and your school receive?

  • Funded 2 day training for 2 nominated school staff to learn how to deliver the Seasons for Growth small group social emaotional education program for young people
  • Ongoing implementation support and guidance for delivering to student groups
  • Accompanying parent and carer session
  • Additional supplementarty training specific to loss by suicide
  • Access to a step‑by‑step school guide and ongoing online Communities of Practice
  • An all‑staff professional learning session on understanding and responding to change, loss and grief
  • Access to Keeping Spirit Strong culturally safe resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people

How does Seasons for Life work?

Seasons for Life is designed to fit within school settings and existing wellbeing structures. Support is tailored to your school context and delivered with guidance from a dedicated Seasons staff member.

Training for nominated staff is delivered online or in person where possible. All‑staff professional learning sessions are delivered by a Seasons staff member in consultation with school leadership.

Coaching and implementation support is provided over time, either online or in person, and is supported by an online Community of Practice.

How does my school get involved?

Schools interested in Seasons for Life begin by submitting a short enquiry using the form below.

A Seasons staff member will contact you to learn more about your school and to discuss eligibility, available support options and next steps.

There is no cost to eligible schools. Places are limited and subject to availability.

Contact us below to discuss accessing this funded initiative

Please do not include personal or identifying information about students or families in your enquiry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seasons for Growth recognised in state and territory wellbeing program directories?

Yes. Stormbirds and the Seasons for Growth Children and Young Peoples programs are recognised as evidence-based programs in the state education wellbeing directories in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

My high school has been impacted by a suicide loss. How can I access Seasons for Life?

Our Seasons for Life Coordinators can discuss with you the needs of your school in relation to our Seasons for Life offerings. Please register your interest by completing the form below and you will be put into contact with the Seasons for Life Coordinator for your state  or territory.
 

How do I access the Seasons for Life initiative?

Please contact your Seasons for Life State Coordinator or send an expression of interest via the form below. 
 

What is the timeline for implementing Seasons for Life?

The timeline for each school community will be unique.  We encourage you to contact the Seasons for Life Coordinator in your state or territory to discuss implementing the Seasons for Life initiative. You can contact us by completing the form below. 

Is Seasons for Growth recognised in evidence-based program directories?

The Children and Young Peoples program is recognised in evidence-based program directories with the Australian Government’s Australian Institute of Family Studies – Communities for Children Facilitating Partners Evidence-based programme profiles.

In 2019, the program was recognised with a ‘high impact’ rating in the in Australian Research Council’s Engagement and Impact Assessment 2018–19 National Report and in Research Impact NSW report by the NSW Education Department.

Following completion of the Seasons for Growth training, am I ready to deliver the small group sessions?

The Seasons for Growth training workshop will equip you to run the small group program (supporting 4-7 participants) for children and young people from the ages of 6-18 years.  

As a Seasons for Life trained Companion, you are supported with a comprehensive set of secondary school materials and access to an online community  which offers a wide range of additional resources, networking opportunities and support.  

What support is offered following the program training?

As a trained Companion, you are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals and participant journals and access to an online community , implementation planning, communities of practice and professional development.  All Companions are encouraged to seek formal program accreditation which requires them to not only train but also to implement the program, attend a supplementary learning session and submit participant and self-evaluations.
The Seasons for Life State Coordinator will provide you with coaching support to assist in all stages of the implementation process.
 

Does MacKillop Seasons offer ongoing learning and supplementary materials?

Working in close partnership with Professor Anne Graham AO from the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University and specialist agencies, Seasons for Growth has been adapted to support children and young people around identified needs including:
  1. Suicide postvention (the adaptation was supported by Headspace Schools, 2015)
  2. Forced migration (in partnership with the National Association for Loss and Grief and STARTTS - NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, 2011)
  3. Out-of-home care (with MacKillop Family Services, 2020)
  4. Natural disasters (Stormbirds program, 2009, 2020)
  5. COVID-19 (2020).
     

Has Seasons for Growth Children and Young Peoples Program been evaluated?

Yes, the Seasons for Growth Children and Young Peoples has been evaluated extensively by Australian universities since 1996.  Please visit our Program Evaluation page to learn more.
 

Stories and Outcomes

All Stories and Outcomes

Guide to self-care & wellbeing during times of uncertainty

Guide to self-care & wellbeing during times of uncertainty

This resource shares tips on what you can do to support yourself, your friends and your family.

Read more

Seasons in the Outback

Seasons in the Outback

Karen is passionate about bringing the Seasons for Growth evidence-based program to people living in some of the most isolated parts of Australia.

Read more

Young people and grief

Young people and grief

This factsheet provides some guidance for adults (parents, carers, relatives, teachers and others) seeking to support a child who is grieving.

Read more

Seasons for Life will build the capacity of high school leaders, staff and parents across Australia in understanding the impacts of change loss and grief more broadly, as well as following suicide and other traumatic loss events.

Professor Anne Graham AO

Our People

Meet our people

Renae Pettit

Renae Pettit

Seasons for Life Coordinator, NSW & ACT

Hannah Richards

Hannah Richards

Seasons for Life Coordinator, QLD

Klara Jaeger

Klara Jaeger

Seasons for Life Coordinator, WA & NT

Get in touch with us to find out more

Keeva Mostyn

Keeva Mostyn

National Lead - Seasons for Life

Contact Us

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