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We've seen it time and again in our workshops. Somewhere between the laughter, there's a moment when a teacher or staff member would say, "We could use this to help others."
Too often, play and community service live in separate worlds: one reserved for fun, the other for "doing good." But when they come together, engagement deepens, connections grow, and people begin to see themselves as part of something bigger.
This isn't about adding more to an already full plate, but reimagining what's already there. A single game can do double duty of sparking joy and creating tangible benefits for others.
This week, we're exploring how to weave purpose into play so acts of kindness become a natural, joyful part of everyday life. Let's dive in!
Your First Week of Play – Free
If you’ve ever wanted to bring more joy and connection into your school but felt too stretched for time, this is for you.
In this free webinar, we’re giving you Week 1 of The School of Play Curriculum complete with lesson plans, videos, and a step-by-step walkthrough ready to use the very next day.
You’ll see how the world’s first full-year, fully play-based well-being curriculum transforms classrooms by putting joy, trust, and connection at the heart of learning, all while requiring zero prep from you.
When: August 12, 2025 · 1 PM AEST
Duration: 1 hour
Few hours left to register! Save your seat HERE.
The webinar will be recorded for registrants, so you can watch anytime.
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Daily Mission Cards
One reason service projects don’t always leave a lasting impact is that we go through the motions without truly connecting to the people we’re helping. Intentional reflection and personal connection are key to developing prosocial behaviours.
Today’s mission is a simple but powerful step in that direction: Pick a friend, family member, or colleague and tell them why you’re proud of them, what you admire, and why they matter to you.
If you’re looking to embed empathy into your play and service activities, challenges like this one make kindness an everyday habit.
Want more like this? The Kindness & Happiness Daily Mission Cards are packed with 54 ready-to-use ideas to nurture empathy, connection, and joy!
Creative Dice Connection Starter
When it comes to community or school projects, the hardest part is getting people invested. The Creative Dice Connection Starter, one of our top-rated activities, works so well for this.
Participants roll the dice to select personal questions, answer them, then roll again to decide how they’ll share their answers through a drawing, story, song, poem, or other creative form.
By pairing play with personal reflection, you create a safe space where people feel seen and valued, making them far more likely to engage meaningfully in any group mission that follows.
Jugar Life members can download the full game PDF in the members’ portal!
Not a member yet? Join HERE and get instant access to this and hundreds of other play-based activities!
Andy McNeilly – Building Connected Relationships – At Home School and the Workplace
We all know relationships matter, but building them in ways that last takes more than good intentions. The strongest connections are formed when people experience something together.
In this session, Andy shares how to:
- Strengthen bonds with children to boost academic, social, and emotional outcomes
- Use shared experiences in education to create trust and improve learning
- Apply connection-focused strategies in workplaces to lift collaboration and morale
- Turn everyday moments into lasting relationship-building opportunities through reflection and action
Andy’s insights draw from over two decades in education, counselling, and leadership, as well as his books Connecting with Your Kids and Connecting with Your Teens.
Already a member? Watch this course here!
HOPE Network Conference 2025 – The Premier Conference for Innovative Regional Teachers
Mark your calendars! HOPE Conference 2025 is back, bringing a full day of professional learning, fresh ideas, and community spirit that reminds you why emerging leaders come together to learn and leave re-energised.
What to Expect:
- 2 keynotes, 3 workshops, 3 lightning rounds packed with strategies you can use immediately.
- High-impact speakers like Paul and I (play-based well-being), Jarrod Robinson (tech-rich PE), and Jess Harris (authentic connection).
- Hands-on, curriculum-focused sessions across health, physical education, outdoor/environmental studies, and leadership.
- Networking that lasts — meet and collaborate with passionate educators from across the region.
Bring your team so you can cover more workshops and share takeaways back at school.
Wodonga Middle Years – A Week of Play and Connection
What a week at Wodonga Middle Years – Felltimber Campus! We wrapped up with three high-energy workshops for over 150 students in each Year 7, 8, and 9 cohort.
The laughter was loud, the energy contagious, but the real highlight was watching students connect, share, and reflect in a safe, screen-free space.
Designed for genuine engagement, our play-based sessions brought meaningful interactions to life through games students wanted to play.
A huge thanks to the incredible students and staff for embracing the power of play. We’ve loved every moment!
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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