Wellbeing News

Every day is a great day to ask “R U OK?” and this was certainly the case at MCC this week. As the tenure of the current “2025 MCC Year 11 Wellbeing Team” draws to a close they have held multiple activities across the school. As a school community we had the opportunity to take part in activities within homerooms and as an entire school community we were reminded of the importance of checking in and supporting our friends but just as importantly, having fun. 

Joy and laughter were experienced by everyone who engaged in activities during the hall and quad on lunch time both Thursday and Friday.

Whist the school community has participated in the very popular “Just Dance” previously it is the first time that as a larger school group we attempted and finally mastered the sequence “Cup Song Challenge” which many people may be familiar with from the Pitch Perfect series. The activity itself is lots of fun as the participant masters the art of a repeated sequence of movements with a plastic cup ideally in beat with the song “When I’m gone”. Initially we were not quite so co-ordinated however with patience, persistence and practice we achieved something wonderful and it was a credit to not only our wonderful, musically gifted students Nancy and Ufi who accompanied us over and over but our MCC school community. Students from across the year levels and staff joined in and it was a wonderful opportunity to forget about the outside world and external pressures and simply be present in the moment. 

We were joined on the day by representatives from headspace Griffith who are familiar faces for many of our wellbeing activities.

There is science behind the activity and it is an activity based on mindfulness. With well over 300 students and staff in attendance each person now is familiar with a technique that can be tapped out using fingers, hands or similar to reduce anxiety and assist in times of dysregulation. In addition, learning a new skill, achieving our goal and have a good laugh releases happiness chemicals, dopamine, endorphins and serotonin.

Friday’s activities were well supported and we were blessed with a perfect spring day which allowed for the school community to enjoy all that was offered both within the hall and the quad area.

This was the final activity for our current Year 11 Wellbeing Team and they are to be congratulated for their dedication and commitment to improving access and reducing the stigma associated with mental ill health. 

This week was also an opportunity for staff to come together to support each other and join in meaningful conversations and checking in with each other whilst enjoying a simple afternoon tea. Whilst we publicly acknowledge and celebrate “R U OK Day” annually on the 2nd Thursday in September we are reminded of the importance of conversations, selfcare and that any day is a great day to check in with friends, family and colleagues.

Regards Sue Hone

(Student Wellbeing Support Worker)