Three years in development, The Anxiety Project is underway. For the 2023-24 cohort, the school leader training is complete and we are nearing completion of training the in-school Implementation Coaches. This will be followed by teacher and SLSO training, the delivery of lessons to students, and then the parent training. The Anxiety Project is a whole-school community approach to managing anxiety and building resilience in NSW public primary school students. It’s an evidence-based intervention designed for school communities by Principals and specialists in the field. It was borne from an expressed need of school principals.

In the 2023-24 cohort 54 schools are participating resulting in 18,528 students benefitting of whom 4,031 students involved in the research component of the project. There are 1,671 teachers & SLSOs involved that are both gaining skills and understanding through the professional learning. They are also participating in the research component of the project. It is anticipated there will be approximately 2,500 parents gaining skills and understanding with training provided during terms 3 and 4 2023. The participating parents will also be involved in the research component of the project.

The research component of the projects sees data captured at five intervals over the two year duration of the project assessing the impact of the intervention. Feedback is provided to participating schools after each data capture which enables them to identify improvement in the confidence of individuals in recognising anxious behaviours and knowing how best to respond. Tertiary researchers are conducting the research on behalf of the PPA.

Expressions of interest for the 2024-25 cohort are now open. EOIs close Monday 7 August 2023 and the professional learning for school leaders and in-school Implementation Coaches will commence in term 4 2023. Further information https://nswppa.schoolzineplus.com/the-anxiety-project, or President Robyn Evans revans@nswppa.org.au, Deputy President Rob Walker rwalker@nswppa.org.au, or Vice President Trish Peters tpeters@nswppa.org.au.