PRESS RELEASE: Cultivating Resilience in Students through Symbolism

Reinforcing resilience is a challenging endeavour, as its instruction and assessment are intricate tasks. Nevertheless, this is precisely why I advocate for the incorporation of the symbolism of a tree within school systems. By doing so, we can facilitate the delivery, comprehension, and retention of resilience concepts, especially in moments of stress.

On New Year’s Day in 2019, my daughter was on the cusp of embarking on her Year 12 journey as the school captain. However, on that fateful day, her first leadership responsibility was to support me as I blacked out, awaiting the arrival of paramedics. My recollections of the paramedics’ visit are fragmented, as I later learned that I had experienced a cardiac arrest.

Following several cardiac procedures and the implantation of a pacemaker at the age of 45, I believed our family had left behind its health-related challenges. Yet, at the age of 47, I received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer, necessitating surgery and radiation therapy. My greatest apprehension was the distress my family would experience. Both my daughters were students at Griffith University, studying communication and paramedicine.

Considering the prevalence of hardships experienced by families, I was determined to instil resilience in children from the outset. I observed that many of my daughter’s friends grappled with their identity and potential, despite achieving excellent academic grades.
During this period, I initiated the development of a product for educational spaces that could serve as a prominent feature in any learning environment, making learning engaging regardless of architectural aesthetics. It was during this journey that I conceived an approach to help students gain clarity about their identity and potential. In times of stress, our capacity for clear thinking often eludes us.

The “Storyteller Tree” is an innovative educational product that I have created. What I wish to convey is how the tree symbol can aid in self-discovery and the cultivation of one’s personality, character, values, trusted relationships, and the unique skills and abilities that make each individual intriguing. Understanding oneself can significantly enhance one’s ability to cope with stress, a practice that I attribute to the resilience my family has nurtured. A complimentary resience guide is available at Treelyworld.com.