Mel Hayes

As a member of the executive team in three different high schools in New South Wales, I have significant experience in implementing the Rock and Water program within a school setting. Newly trained Rock and Water teachers, eager to begin while their training is still fresh, may benefit from considering some examples of implementation and being aware of potential challenges.

When first introduced to the program in 1999, I outlined my plan to the principal, aiming to engage disengaged, angry boys with this innovative program. The initial resistance encountered was related to cost, as the principal questioned how the program would be funded without taking whole classes, thus requiring additional cover for my other classes. To address this, I began teaching the program to entire classes, inclusive of both boys and girls. This approach demonstrated that the program also engaged girls effectively, promoting social and emotional skills through various activities described in the manual. However, this method did not allow targeted focus on boys needing intensive support for self-control, emotional regulation, and physical outlets for frustration.

As the program gained wider recognition, funding became available. Once I progressed to head teacher and later deputy principal, it became easier to fund and schedule the program. Key lessons learned include:

• Ensure the executive team is well-informed about the program, secure support from a champion on the executive team, and integrate the program into the school management plan.
• Start with smaller groups to practice delivery skills and timing before expanding to whole classes.
• Avoid beginning with the most challenging students. Include well-behaved role models alongside challenging students to leverage positive peer influence. Branding the program as a Leadership Program can add prestige.
• Determine the overall strategy: whether to teach whole class groups for broad impact (Tier one for PBL schools) or target smaller groups for intervention (Tier two for PBL). For an intervention approach, small groups of 8 to 12 students are recommended.
• Inform parents about the benefits and physical nature of the program through an “opt out” letter to minimise administrative burden.
• Brief staff about the program goals, common language, and activities. Demonstrating games and reflections during staff meetings can foster understanding and support.
• Utilise a co-facilitator to ensure smooth sessions and manage issues discreetly.
• Promote the program on the school website and Facebook page to keep the community informed and engaged.
• Encourage broader staff involvement by inviting colleagues to attend training, thereby building a solid foundation for ongoing program implementation.
• Celebrate Rock and Water graduations meaningfully by involving parents, providing certificates, completing journals, and recognizing student achievements with the principal’s presence.

Brian Hayes is the Director of Rock and Water Australia. With 26 years in education as a high school history teacher and deputy principal, Brian has taught the program since 1999. After delivering Rock and Water training for the Family Action Centre from 2006, Brian was invited to manage the Rock and Water program in NSW, ACT, and Tasmania in 2014. From 2025, he will coordinate Rock and Water training across Australia.

By Master Instructor Brian Hayes

Teachers and health workers have seen a sudden and concerning rise in anxiety and a decline in social/emotional skills in the post covid environment. The Rock and Water program addresses these very themes and has seen a strong resurgence of interest in the Hunter over the last two years.

The Rock and Water Program had its beginnings in Newcastle in 1999 when Dutch educator, Freerk Ykema, was invited to present at a National Conference for Boys hosted by the Family Action Centre at the University of Newcastle. The program has since grown world wide, with over 70,000 teachers trained in the program in 40 countries. 

The program is still based in Newcastle after the Family Action Centre passed the responsibility for workshop organisation to Mel Hayes and Rock and Water Master Instructor Brian Hayes, principal of Rock and Water Australia. Over 50 teachers were recently booked into the Newcastle Workshop this March at Brians full time Martial Arts facility in Warners Bay.

This is remarkable, and says something about the awareness in the Hunter of this amazing and proven program. We taught a workshop in Hobart to seven teachers, and recently we taught 11 in Albany, so it is amazing to come home to such a strong support base. Teachers and support staff are looking for strong evidence based programs that develop social skills. So many of our children struggle with diagnosed and undiagnosed difficulties in coping with anxiety and trauma. Whether they have professional support or not, children need to learn to self-regulate so that they can cope with stress. They also need to learn to interact together positively in order to learn to co-regulate and develop calm and happy classrooms.

Participants in the Rock and Water program learn over 100 games using a psychophysical method where students are encouraged to connect with their bodies, monitor what is happening as they play and interact and learn strategies to manage their own emotions.

If you are interested in learning more about the Trauma Workshop we are running one this year! You can register here

We’ve had some fun videoing our Rock and Water journey this year. Brian and his daughter Anna, who just finished a Bachelor of Communications, have travelled to interesting and diverse locations in NSW, ACT and Tasmania. We’d like to share that journey with you, and some of the beautiful testimonials we’ve been able to collect along the way. Brian also has some highly qualified staff delivering Rock and Water in the Newcastle to Central Coast area and we’d like to share some of the expertise with you. If you are a Rock and Water facilitator it is nice to know that you are not alone in your efforts to share this wonderful and powerful program that has gone from strength to strength as teachers, educators, counsellors and parents look for powerful programs like this to challenge the increasing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety that afflict young people in this world. We hope you enjoy our journey. 

– Brian and Anna Hayes