Wellbeing
Year 7–9 Students Engage with Important Wellbeing Messages Through The Hurting Game
On Wednesday, 10 June, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 attended The Hurting Game, an engaging and thought-provoking live theatre performance presented by Brainstorm Productions.
The performance explored important issues affecting young people today, including mental health, resilience, peer pressure, bullying, social media, online behaviour and help-seeking. Through the experiences of two high school students, Maddie and Tom, students were encouraged to reflect on the challenges young people can face and the positive strategies that can support wellbeing.
Maddie’s story highlighted the impact of exclusion, rumours and the pressures of social media, while Tom’s experiences demonstrated how peer pressure and poor decision-making can affect relationships, learning and digital reputation. As the characters navigated these challenges, students saw the value of resilience, self-compassion, respectful relationships and authentic friendships.
Developed in consultation with a clinical psychologist and based on real student experiences, The Hurting Game provided an engaging and relatable way for students to explore mental health and online safety. The performance encouraged meaningful conversations about recognising when support is needed and the importance of seeking help from trusted adults, friends and support services.
Students gained valuable insights into:
- Building resilience and healthy coping strategies.
- Recognising signs of stress and anxiety.
- Developing positive and respectful relationships.
- Understanding the impact of online behaviour and digital reputation.
- Using social media responsibly.
- Practising empathy, inclusion and self-compassion.
- Seeking support when facing challenges.
The performance was both entertaining and educational, providing students with practical tools and strategies to support their wellbeing and contribute positively to the school community.
Ms Jodie Cusack
Wellbeing Leader