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Stormbirds

MacKillop Family Services Ltd.

Stormbirds supports children and young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and manage experiences of change, loss and grief following natural disasters. The program fosters emotional literacy, belonging and resilience as pathways to improved social and emotional wellbeing.

  • Online
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • Tas
  • Vic
  • WA

Pricing: Paid

Origin: Developed in Australia for Australian schooling contexts

Affiliations: Approved elsewhere: NSW, SA, VIC

Product type: Program; Fact sheets; Student activities; Learning modules

Contact details

MacKillop Family Services Ltd.
ABN: 79 078 299 288

https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/stormbirds/

info.seasons@mackillop.org.au

Focus areas

  • Positive relationships

  • Belonging and inclusion

  • Mental health literacy and life skills

  • Resilience and optimism

  • Grief and loss

  • Self-esteem and body image

Curriculum alignment

  • Health and PE

Prospective users

Audience: Targeted small group early intervention (Tier 2)

Communities: Diverse cultures or language groups, Faith-based, First Nations, Neurodiversity or disability, Rainbow and LGBTQIA+

Context: School or centre-based

Main beneficiaries: Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9

Delivery style: Classroom teacher is trained

Aims & approach

Stormbirds is a small-group peer learning program (4-7 participants) led by a trained adult facilitator ('Companion'). Developed from the Seasons for Growth suite, it provides a safe space for children and young people to navigate uncertainty, change, and loss while building communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Program Structure:

  • Based on J. William Worden's grief theory, addressing various types of loss (e.g., family change, natural disasters).
  • Designed for ages 6-14 with Level 1: Ages 6-10 and Level 2: Ages 10-14
  • Each participant completes an activity journal throughout their journey.
  • Program includes 4 formal sessions (60 mins each), 1 Celebration session, and 1 optional Reconnector session for follow-up discussions.

Key Features:

  • Engaging activities: writing, drawing, discussion, stories, role play, music, guided meditation, and journaling.
  • Highly visual content with age-appropriate illustrations.
  • Flexible curriculum allowing facilitators to adapt activities to student needs.

Facilitator Training and Support:

  • 5-hour training (online or in-person) covering theory, curriculum, and practical application.
  • Ongoing support: manuals, participant journals, networking opportunities, and an online resource portal.
  • Additional Support: Free online learning modules on forced migration, additional needs, out-of-home care, suicide, disasters, and ecological grief. Regularly updated evidence-based resources for schools and communities.

Implementation support

  • Access to professional facilitator, instructor or mentor
  • Implementation training webinars or modules
  • Ongoing helpdesk, email or phone support
  • Regular webinars or access to community of professional practice

Evidence

Stormbirds is an evidence-based program within the Seasons for Growth suite, using Worden's grief theory to frame grief as a process rather than a reaction.

Key Highlights:

  • 5+ years of research and evaluation supporting its structure and outcomes.
  • Uses small-group, peer-based learning to foster belonging, emotional regulation, and resilience.
  • Encourages agency and empowerment in managing grief.
  • Aligns with ACARA's Personal and Social Capabilities framework.
  • Supports inclusion, engagement, and respect for diverse backgrounds (disability, ATSI, CALD).
  • Delivered by trained Companions, ensuring structured sessions and meaningful peer interaction.