The Character Initiative

Martine Walls, Head of Character and Wellbeing 

Character and Connection Days in Term 1

Our Character and Connection Days this term have been a great success! Thank you to our dedicated Character Development Team, who thoroughly enjoyed engaging with students across different year levels in impactful ways.

Year 7 Character Day

The Year 7 Character Day was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with each other and deepen their self-awareness in a supportive setting.

Throughout the day, students explored the theme of 'strengths' by completing the VIA Character Strengths survey to identify their individual strengths. They then came together to analyse the collective strengths of the cohort as a whole.

A session on emotional wellbeing, led by Toolbox Education, helped students to recognise signs of stress and gave them practical tools to better manage their emotions.

Holding this Character Day just before the Year 7 Camp was a great way to give students valuable time to bond and boost their confidence, ensuring they felt more prepared and comfortable to fully engage with their peers during the camp the following week.

The Year 7s embraced the day with enthusiasm, enjoying a meaningful experience of growth, connection and discovery!

Year 8 Character Day

Our Year 8 Character Day was an enriching experience for students.

A key theme of the day was self-care, reminding students that looking after their own wellbeing helps them to better support those around them. Toolbox Education led engaging workshops where students explored strategies to better manage their mind and emotions with greater self-compassion.

They also heard from a guest speaker from Share the Dignity, our Year 8 charity partner for this year. Students were introduced to their Make a Difference projects, where they'll explore one of four key areas — poverty, education, sustainability or aged care. Students collaborated in groups to brainstorm ideas for projects they’ll bring to life in Term 4.

The day was filled with fun and connection, as Year 8s strengthened their relationships with both peers and staff. It was a fantastic day that reinforced the importance of self-care, compassion and making a meaningful impact in the community.

Year 10 – Rise Leadership Program

We kicked off the Year 10 Leadership Pathways at our very first 'Rise Day', setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead!

Students explored three key leadership pathways: 

1. Leadership of Self through the Duke of Edinburgh Award
2. Leadership of Others via our Peer Support Leadership Program
3. Leadership Through Service, which involves working with students with disabilities in partnership with Flying Fox

The enthusiasm in the room was evident as students engaged with each pathway and thoughtfully considered which option best suited them. They have now made their selections, and parents have been informed of the process.  

We're thrilled to see them embark on this journey, where they'll not only learn about leadership, but also put their skills into practice in real-world settings! 

Year 10s also took part in their first Personal Development Workshop with Tomorrow People, an important step in their growth as emerging leaders.

We're incredibly excited about the journey ahead for our students, supporting them as they grow and develop in character!