WellAhead

WellAhead: A 5-year journey supporting innovation in K-12 school wellbeing

As of January 2021, McConnell Foundation’s WellAhead initiative has sunsetted. To tell the story of the initiative, we recently developed this report, which recounts unexpected lessons, impacts and progress on our journey, and where to look next for developments in the field. In 2015, the McConnell Foundation committed to 5 years of funding for the […]

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Beyond the Binder

Towards More Systemic and Sustainable Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing in K-12 Education In Canada, K-12 education systems have a key role in developing strategies to support the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff. While stand alone programs have provided useful content for educators in addressing mental health and wellbeing, it is […]

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Importance of teacher & school staff wellbeing

The Importance of Teacher & School Staff Wellbeing A detailed infographic on the importance of teacher & school staff wellbeing, by WellAhead, a McConnell Foundation initiative.

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Student wellbeing for systems change fund – FAQs

The Student Wellbeing for Systems Change Fund is an exciting new granting opportunity through WellAhead. School districts, groups of schools, and organizations working within the education system are invited to apply for projects that are dedicated to both improving student social and emotional wellbeing AND addressing barriers to longer-term, deeper impact. These grants are for […]

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Student Wellbeing for Systems Change Fund Guide

The Student Wellbeing for Systems Change Fund is an exciting new granting opportunity through WellAhead. School districts, groups of schools, and organizations working within the education system are invited to apply for projects that are dedicated to both improving student social and emotional wellbeing AND addressing barriers to longer-term, deeper impact. These grants are for […]

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Advancing wellbeing in schools

In 2015, WellAhead began working in British Columbia to experiment with ways to better integrate wellbeing into K-12 education. In Advancing Wellbeing in Schools, WellAhead shares 15 lessons about education, philanthropy & systems change learned through this process.

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Advancing school wellbeing as a priority.

In its first year in BC, WellAhead worked with six pilot school districts to see if a set of core values, a participatory change process and a focus on everyday practices could deepen schoolscategory commitment to wellbeing. After reflecting on their learnings, WellAhead has made some significant shifts in its strategy towards the integration of wellbeing in Canadian schools. One key lesson? WellAhead may be able to achieve more impact by working at a network level, instead of directly with school districts.

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