Wellbeing: Senior School

Building the wellbeing toolkits for students as they prepare to take on the world.

As a community, focusing on wellbeing allows students to feel more connected with their peers and become agents of their health. Wellbeing is also the wrap-around for academics; when students are thriving mentally and physically, they have the motivation and confidence to engage at high levels of learning. In the Senior School, this includes an emphasis on expanding their knowledge base on resilience and applying the skill sets through experiential learning opportunities. The application and practice of these acquired skills ensures that students are able to navigate adversity with confidence and equanimity. At its core, the program builds a student’s personal toolkit providing them with the sense of agency required to identify their needs and the ability to access appropriate support.

Agency

Dedicated to Wellbeing

In the Senior School, students participate in a variety of lessons developed by Guidance Counsellors, which engage them in learning various tools, skills and concepts to enhance wellbeing. Resilience actions are a key focus of the wellbeing curriculum in Grades 9 and 10. Students are introduced to mindfulness and calming techniques, proactive strategies for dealing with change, problem solving assets, and positive perspectives such as optimism and gratitude. In addition, the building blocks for effective communication skills are thoroughly explored and practiced. Advanced communication and relationship building skills are the focus in Grade 11, as well as initial exploration of university pathways. In Grade 12, students connect as a graduating class and learn about the university application process.

Student Support

The Senior School approach to wellbeing is relational. The goal is to create a positive and nurturing school culture whereby students become self-advocates for their individual, as well as their community wellbeing needs. A team of professionals are available to nurture, support and guide them as they navigate life’s challenges and successes. The program focuses on building positive interpersonal relationships, engagement with the community, as well as developing a robust understanding of the principles and practices of positive mental health and wellbeing.

View from behind of friends in Havergal green uniforms locked arm in arm.

Physical Wellbeing

Physical health is an important component of student wellbeing and is woven into every aspect of the school. The program centres around health promotion and encourages students to explore the many and varied approaches to achieving physical health and wellbeing, ensuring that students engage in a range of exercises as part of their daily routine. There is a focus on athletics and co-curricular involvement, which is essential to help manage student health while at school and into adulthood.

Resilience & Growth Mindset

Senior School students actively build a toolkit of resilient actions such as effective communication and social skills that allows them to respond positively and adapt to opportunities and limitations. Our school environment fosters a growth mindset: a “can do” attitude that is based on the use of strategies, effort and practice in the learning process. We are a place where students are able to make informed, responsible decisions while seeking guidance from trusted, caring adults supporting them through their academic journey.

Students sit on the floor in the Brenda Robson Hall for Prayers.

Prayers

The Senior School assembles as a community for Prayers two times a week in the Brenda Robson Hall to reflect and deepen the school’s purpose in the world. Prayers provides an opportunity for our community to have a shared experience, learn and celebrate together and to experience our Anglican affiliation with openness, curiosity and reflection. We create opportunities for students from a variety of faiths to share their traditions, beliefs and cultures. During Prayers, we seek to prompt questions, deepen insights and celebrate our community, inviting each of us to reflect on these ideas and apply them to our own lives. Because we believe that everyone can learn from the values and teachings from these gatherings, Prayers is a compulsory part of our programming.