Emmanuel College principal Daniel Brown on forging connections, and how wellness dog Mylo has helped

The principal of this Gold Coast school has taken on an unusual new staff member this year – and it’s certainly set tails wagging. Here’s why he’s done it.

Daniel Brown’s office is not how you may remember the principal’s offices of your youth.

There is no line of uncomfortable chairs by the door, to be occupied by sullen youngsters before being summoned inside for admonishment.

No overbearing oak desk.

Instead, Mr Brown’s Emmanuel College office is light and airy. Meetings take place on comfortable blue sofas.

Mementos of career and family abound. On his desk, amid papers and books, cheery pot plants and a holiday souvenir declaring ‘I’m on Fiji time’.

On the wall behind it a large frame filled with treasured photos. It’s from his previous school, Ivanhoe Grammar in Melbourne. An inscription reads: “We will miss you Dan. With heartfelt thanks from the staff and students of the Plenty Campus”.

And lying contentedly on the floor by Mr Brown’s feet, the latest addition to his – and the Emmanuel – family. Wellness dog Mylo, an eight-month-old toy cavoodle.

The furry embodiment of a philosophy former TSS teacher Mr Brown has brought to the 1645-pupil college since taking the reins last year.

“It’s really about connection, about relationships and community,” Mr Brown says.

“For me, even though I’m a principal, it is still about those fundamental three things.

“Even in contemporary education there’s a principal stereotype, isn’t there, of what that role postures, and so for me (having Mylo) is just being able to enable that connection and trust with my students.”

Emmanuel College principal Daniel Brown at his desk with wellness dog Mylo. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mylo officially joined the school community in January after a number of months of training.

Already, he’s proven extremely popular.

“I acquired him in August last year, with that purpose, to train him to be a wellbeing dog,” Mr Brown says.

“Towards the end of last year he went through all the necessary training. He had some experiences here in socialisation, which was necessary for his training, but officially got the jacket and graduated in mid-December.

“We refer to him as a wellbeing dog because he really has that sort of focus in and around connecting and relationships.

“You just see the joy in the students’ faces.

“You walk down into the yard and it’s literally ‘Mylo!’. They come running to him.”

Mylo’s appearance is just one of many ways the school has sought to help students at Emmanuel and the associated Josiah College feel comfortable and happy.

Junior school pupils are enjoying the completion of the latest phase of their playground – including a second storey for their treehouse – while the school has partnered with Real Schools to introduce ‘Restorative Practice’, a learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful.

All of it is ultimately tailored to ensuring the best outcomes for students – and not just academically.

“Last year and we embarked on a whole new strategic plan for the college for the next number of years and that’s been a really exciting, fulfilling time,” Mr Brown said.

“Our focus is really about the character, it’s about shaping young people of character.

“... We consulted significantly with our students last year on our future and they talked about industry experiences, they talked about connecting with our alumni with partnerships, with experiences that will shape them whilst they’re still learning here at school.”

Emmanuel College students Indianna Morris, 13, and James Gilmore, 14, with principal Daniel Brown and wellness dog Mylo. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

There are currently 1645 students at Emmanuel, 75 at Josiah College and 62 at the campus kindergarten.

The school continues to grow, but Mr Brown said that in terms of numbers, it is near its peak.

“We’ll grow a little bit over the course of the next couple of years, but we don’t want to grow too much more,” he said.

“There’s that magic number for community and connection and we are very close to that number so we don’t really want to grow much more than our current size at the moment.”

What may continue to grow is the school’s reputation, helped in part by its newest employee, who already finds himself in high demand and is a boon to students needing a little extra support.

“My PA books Mylo for various visits and presentations, but certainly if the need arises he’s available (for students) if he’s in school,” Mr Brown says.

“He doesn’t come every day. It’s probably two to three days a week for his own wellbeing.

“He can pop up to our clinic or our school counsellor, whatever the need may be.

“He really just brings that calming focus to our students.”

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