Introducing Mindfulness: Training Attention, Responding Rather Than Reacting
Richard Hunt
Mindfulness offers a practical way to develop greater awareness, resilience, and balance in both personal and professional life. In this introductory session, participants will explore the foundations of mindfulness through guided practices, reflection, and discussion.
This workshop forms Session 1 of the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation’s three-session “Introducing Mindfulness” course, designed to give participants a brief but meaningful experience of mindfulness practice and theory. The course explores three core themes that can support everyday life:
- Training attention and understanding how attention shapes our experiences
- Learning new ways of relating to thoughts, emotions, and everyday challenges
- Recognising the difference between reacting automatically and responding with greater awareness
Participants will take part in short guided mindfulness practices and reflective discussions about how these skills can support wellbeing, focus, and resilience.
As this session forms part of the facilitator’s teacher training with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, the workshop will need to be recorded for training purposes.
Participants who attend this introductory session will be invited to continue the learning by attending Sessions 2 and 3, which will be offered online via Zoom or Google Meet in the weeks following the conference. Between sessions, participants will be encouraged to explore short daily mindfulness practices (around 15–20 minutes) supported by guided audio recordings and written materials.
This session is suitable for educators, school leaders, and outdoor learning practitioners who are curious about mindfulness and interested in developing practical skills to support wellbeing, attention, and resilience in themselves and the communities they serve.
About Richard
Richard Hunt – Primary Teacher & Service Learning Coordinator, British School Manila, Philippines
Richard Hunt is a primary educator and Service Learning Coordinator at the British School Manila, Philippines, with over 30 years of teaching experience. Passionate about sustainability, outdoor learning, and student well-being, Richard has developed innovative Global Citizenship Education units that connect children meaningfully with nature. His Regeneration through Permaculture project, showcased at OFFSEAS 2025, highlighted how hands-on soil regeneration, composting, and systems thinking tools can transform both student learning and school communities.
Richard has led curriculum innovation in Global Citizenship and sustainability at BSM, supporting colleagues across the primary school to embed outdoor, service, and experiential learning approaches. He also contributes to regional networks promoting sustainability and outdoor education across Southeast Asia.
His passion for developing outdoor education opportunities extends beyond the classroom—he leads the International Award programme at BSM and is a certified Level 3 Forest School Leader. From the next academic year, Richard will take on the role of Head of Outdoor Education at the British School Manila, further developing experiential learning opportunities across the school. As a Compass Education facilitator, he supports educators in embedding systems thinking and sustainability into their practice, and he is currently completing training with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation to further support student wellbeing and resilience through nature-based experiences.
Beyond the school gates, Richard enjoys surfing, multi-day treks, and scuba diving—pursuits that continually inspire his commitment to helping young people “think global, act local” and to building inclusive, sustainable programs that endure.
