Character strengths

Jenni worked hard to get her science assignment done early. Her classmate Prue left it till the last minute and then asked if she could borrow Jenni’s work to copy her answers. Jenni is sick of Prue using her. The only time Prue talks to her is when she wants something.

• Determination: Works hard to achieve goals

• Honesty: Speaks truthfully

• Enthusiasm: Has lots of energy and excitement for life

• Creativity: Thinks of many ways to solve challenge

Harun promised his mother he would babysit his little brother so his parents could go out for dinner for their anniversary. When the day comes, his friends are all going to the movies and they encourage Harun to come too, suggesting that he ask his parents to get someone else to babysit, or change their dinner plans for another night.

• Hope/optimism: Looks on the bright side of things

• Determination: Works hard to achieve goals

• Compassion: Thinks of how others are feeling

• Loyalty: Stays true through difficult times

Lia cracked the screen of her friend’s laptop while visiting her house. Her friend did not notice as Lia knocked the computer off the table while her friend was in the kitchen getting them a drink.

• Hope/optimism: Looks on the bright side of things

• Courage: Does not hide from challenging situation

• Honesty: Speaks truthfully

• Self-control: Controls desires and sticks to decisions

Thuy won two tickets to a band in a radio phone in competition. His older sister and her best friend really want to go as they have been fans of this band for a long time. They can’t believe he won them when he doesn’t even follow the band.

• Trustworthiness: Does what they say they’ll do

• Tolerance: Accepts different and distress without anger

• Creativity: Thinks of many ways to solve challenge

• Generosity: Gives freely of their time and possessions

Liam really wants to have a go at abseiling on the school excursion but the thought makes him feel sick. He has always been afraid of heights. His teacher has said he won’t force people to have a go as everyone has to be a volunteer.

• Humour: Sees the light side, helps people to laugh

• Courage: Does not hide from challenging situation

• Enthusiasm: Has lots of energy and excitement for life

• Hope/optimism: Looks on the bright side of things

Bik notices a new student sitting on her own at lunchtime. She suggests to her friends that they ask her to join their group. Reese makes some mean remarks about how they don’t need anyone new in their group, which is maybe a bit too big anyway.

• Compassion: Thinks of how others are feeling

• Determination: Works hard to achieve goals

• Fairness: Treats people fairly

• Creativity: Thinks of many ways to solve challenge

Zac is worried about a friend Lee, who seems to have been very down for the last few weeks. Fred says to leave him alone and wait for him to get over it. But Zac thinks maybe the coordinator needs to know, because Lee isn’t even doing his work most of the time, whereas he used to be a pretty good student.

• Creativity: Thinks of many ways to solve challenge

• Honesty: Speaks truthfully

• Compassion: Thinks of how others are feeling

• Generosity: Gives freely of their time and possessions

Abe is studying for his music exams. It means he has to practise every night. His friends are pressuring him to stay online for games, but he can’t afford to skip practice or to stay up that late without it affecting his performance. He really wants to join in with his friends, but also he wants to do well in his exam as his parents have paid a lot for all his music lessons.

• Tolerance: Accepts different and distress without anger

• Self-control: Controls desires and sticks to decisions

• Determination: Works hard to achieve goals

• Loyalty: Stays true through difficult times

The house is messy and no one has done the vacuuming. Emily wishes her mum didn’t have to go to the hospital all the time to visit her grandmother or that her brothers would take a turn at the dishes without fighting. It seems like the mess is making her mum even more stressed.

• Humour: Sees the light side, helps people to laugh

• Generosity: Gives freely of their time and possessions

• Compassion: Thinks of how others are feeling

• Creativity: Thinks of many ways to solve challenge