Wellbeing

Me, You, Us: Building Wellbeing Together 

Article by Nala Tubb, Head of Student Character and Wellbeing 

On Monday 7 September, our Senior School students took time to pause, connect and intentionally invest in their wellbeing as part of our Me, You, Us Wellbeing Day.

The day was centred around a simple but important understanding: wellbeing is not just about what we do for ourselves. It is also shaped by our relationships with others and by the ways we contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

Students began by checking in with how they were feeling before exploring this idea through a range of engaging activities. Across the Senior School, students participated in experiences including games and cards, mindful colouring, peace cranes, crocheting and creative workshops, with opportunities to explore movement, creativity, connection and contribution.

The Me aspect encouraged students to consider the things that support their own wellbeing. Whether focusing quietly through mindful colouring, learning a new skill, enjoying a game with friends or becoming absorbed in a creative activity, students had an opportunity to slow down, be present and recharge.

The You encouraged students to think about connection. Shared activities created opportunities to talk, laugh, collaborate and spend time with others in a relaxed environment. These simple moments of connection can help build a sense of belonging and remind us that positive relationships are an important part of wellbeing.

The Us invited students to look beyond themselves and consider how their actions can contribute to others and the wider community.

Our Year 12 students had a particularly wonderful range of opportunities to put this into practice. Through Capes for Kids, students created capes that will be gifted to children in hospital to wear while they undergo treatments or procedures, using creativity and practical skills to bring a little joy and comfort to children and families during challenging times.

Students also participated in the 10,000 Hearts activity, sewing hearts to help raise awareness and support for Palliative Care Australia. Other Year 12 experiences included crocheting, a clowning and comedy workshop, and Muay Thai boxing, providing opportunities for students to experience creativity, laughter, physical activity, challenge, connection and accomplishment.

Throughout the sessions, students were introduced to the science behind their chosen activities, exploring how experiences such as positive emotion, mindfulness, engagement, connection, kindness, meaning and a sense of accomplishment can contribute to wellbeing.

The lesson concluded with students reflecting on three questions:

ME: What did this experience do for my wellbeing? YOU: How did it connect me with or benefit others? US: How did it contribute to something bigger than myself?

Students then added a coloured sticker to our Senior School Collective Wellbeing Snapshot, representing how they were feeling at the end of the session: calm, energized, connected or happy. As students across the Senior School contributed their individual responses, these small dots became part of a larger visual display of our collective wellbeing, to be shared in the Atrium.

The day was a valuable reminder that wellbeing can be found in many different places: in creativity, movement, mindfulness, laughter, friendship, kindness and contribution. Most importantly, it showed our students that while wellbeing begins with Me, it is strengthened through You and becomes even more meaningful when we consider Us.