Wellbeing and Engagement

From the Wellbeing Team

R U OK? Day: A simple check-in can make a lasting difference.  

R U OK? Day is an important reminder that we do not need to be “fine” all the time. Everyone has difficult days, and that is part of being human. What matters most is how we respond to one another with kindness, understanding and care. 

At Loreto, this is especially important. Many students experience stress, worry, or self-doubt at times. Sometimes I hear “I have no friends,” or “I’m failing,” even when that is not the full picture. These are often unhelpful thoughts rather than facts, and they can make anxiety feel even bigger.  

In SEAD, we teach our girls that thoughts are thoughts, not facts. By helping students recognise unhelpful thinking patterns, we can better encourage them to talk about their hopes, goals, and dreams. 

I read recently that hopeful people cope better with stressful events than those with lower levels of hope. This was demonstrated in a six-year Australian study by Ciarrochi et al. (2015), which followed 975 secondary students. The findings showed that hope was a significant predictor of students’ positive emotion and wellbeing, particularly during the transition into Year 7 and again into Year 10. Notably, levels of hope declined markedly for girls, but not for boys, between Years 7 and 10. These findings highlight why R U OK? Day is so important. 

On Thursday, our Senior School girls were given a Scrabble piece as they entered Talbot Grove and were challenged to check in with their peers throughout the day to create the highest-scoring word on our R U OK? Scrabble board. The winning Year 11 team entered pseudepigrapha, scoring 75 points. Staff were also encouraged to boost someone’s day by taking a walk while sharing a healthy juice from Juice Junkies. 

These small actions matter. A simple conversation, a thoughtful check-in, or a kind word can help someone feel seen, supported and connected. 

Reference 

Ciarrochi, J., Parker, P., Kashdan, T. B., Heaven, P. C. L., & Barkus, E. (2015). Hope and emotional well-being: A six-year study to distinguish antecedents, correlates, and consequences. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(6), 520–532. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2015.1015154 

Suzie Crowe 

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement