Wellbeing - Senior School

Halfway Point

Week 5 already … where has the term gone? 

As we reach the halfway mark of the term, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far and look ahead to the weeks remaining in the school year. In the realm of sport, ‘half-time’ provides an opportunity to regroup, reflect and reset before heading back onto the field for the second half. I must stress that there is “still plenty to play for,” reinforcing that regardless of how the first half of the term has gone, students still have time to make a positive impact. 

Last Friday during the Senior School Assembly, we had the opportunity to hear from Noah Y, giving his first assembly address as 2027 College Captain. Noah spoke with great poise and reminded us of all that we are that ‘halfway point’ of the term, driving us to reflect on the choices we make and encouraging us to finish the year strong. Below is part of his script: 

“I think it is a common symptom of 4 long terms of co-curricular commitments, exams, and work that we generally “lose the ball” towards the end of the year. We become physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually exhausted, and as a result grow restless at the thought of 8 weeks of glorious Christmas holidays.”

“Despite this, I find it important to remind you all and myself that, whenever we find ourselves putting in effort to anything that does not instantly gratify, it can be easy to lose sight of the idea that no effort is wasted.” 

“Every small contribution, every encouragement, practice question, dribble or repetition builds onto itself to create who you are and your particular set of tools. Just as seeds planted, each strain and difficult toil nurtures the growth of ourselves, and in time, just as Paul says, “we will reap a good harvest if we do not give up”. We should all take great comfort in Paul’s choice of words.”

“It is not a matter of luck nor fate, but assurance that we will reap a good harvest… the condition lies in the persistence, the strong finish, if we do not give up. So, ask yourselves, “How will I finish this year strong?”, “How will I encourage those I love to remain strong?”, and most importantly, “What good harvest will I reap at the proper time?” 

As we move swiftly through the remainder of the term, I took the opportunity to remind our Senior School students of the longstanding and high expectations of the College, specifically around their conduct in and beyond the College. It is through these everyday behaviours, interactions and decisions that our young men demonstrate the values of respect, responsibility and integrity that underpin our College community.

James Biviano

Acting Director of Senior School

Year 12 YCM – Guest Speaker – Jonny Shannon

Jonny Shannon delivered an engaging and inspiring presentation to our Year 12 cohort, focusing on mental health and the importance of looking after ourselves and those around us. He explored how powerful our brains are and how our thoughts can influence the way we respond to different situations. 

He discussed a range of mental health challenges, including different phobias, anxiety and depression, helping us understand the difference between rational and irrational fears and when it is important to seek professional support. I found it particularly interesting how he challenged us to put ourselves in different situations and consider how we would respond if a mate opened up about struggling with their mental health. It made me realise how important it is to listen, show understanding and make sure our mates know they are not alone. 

One of my peers described the presentation as a "really eye-opening experience", explaining that it challenged people's views on mental health and helped them realise that these struggles are much more common than we might think. Jonny also shared practical strategies for managing our own thoughts and emotions, as well as valuable life advice as we approach the end of school and move into adulthood. 

His humour made the session enjoyable while still delivering some important messages. Particularly during Movember, his presentation was a great reminder that checking in on each other and having honest conversations about mental health can make a real difference.

Christian D | Year 12 Student