Wellbeing Day

WELLBEING DAYS

This day, strategically placed at the halfway point of the term to act as a circuit breaker, was an opportunity for each year group to think about the challenges they may face this year, to realise the importance of connection and relationships, and to try out some new strategies for self-care.”

Tom Riley, Head of Student Wellbeing

The introduction of Wellbeing Days at Kinross Wolaroi School has been a great success and will continue until the end of 2021.

Wellbeing Days demonstrate the School’s commitment to student wellbeing by giving students the opportunity to take part in activities and workshops, from yoga to mental health first aid, each term.

Head of Student Wellbeing Tom Riley said the Wellbeing Days correspond with the themes studied by mentor groups across the year, including ‘self’, ‘leadership’, ‘character’ and ‘empathy’.

Mr Riley said the theme of ‘self’ during the School’s first Wellbeing Day in Term 1 was an opportunity for students to develop their self-awareness by listening to themselves and thinking about strategies for self-care.

“This day, strategically placed at the halfway point of the term to act as a circuit breaker, was an opportunity for each year group to think about the challenges they may face this year, to realise the importance of connection and relationships, and to try out some new strategies for self-care,” said Mr Riley.

Year 7 students took part in a yoga class with local instructors; Year 8 students learnt about appropriate online behaviour; Year 9 students were involved in sleep and self-defence workshops; Year 10 students completed a youth mental health first aid course; and Year 11 and 12 students discussed their journeys towards the end of school. Moving into Term 2, the theme of the School’s second Wellbeing Day was ‘leadership’.

“Having discussed the groundings of great leadership in their mentor groups during the early part of the term, each year group had the opportunity to develop these skills in a practical sense on the day,” said Mr Riley.

Year 7 students had to find the locations of Senior Management Team members and then ask them about their roles and leadership journeys. Meanwhile, Year 8 students spent the day building solar cars with Michael Richards from Kite Magic. Michael gave very few instructions, forcing the students to collaborate, innovate and problem solve.

Year 9 male students visited Mount Canobolas while female students visited Borenore Caves. This was for cultural reasons, as Mount Canobolas is an important site for men and Borenore Caves are a birthing site for women. After hearing from local Indigenous Elders, the students embarked on a bushwalk and discussed their journeys from childhood to adulthood.

Year 11 students spent the day with not-for-profit Burn Bright talking about how they can come together as a cohort and lead the school forward, while Year 12 students took part in a yoga class, a session on emotional regulation and career talks.

The School looks forward to updating you on Term 3 and 4 Wellbeing Days. The themes will be ‘character’ and ‘empathy’ •