The Hamilton and Alexandra College Newsletter

Middle Years 

Character Strengths

During Wellbeing classes this week students will be working on finding their character strengths using the VIA Strengths Survey for Youth (www.viame.org).  Students will then be encouraged to focus on their strengths and to develop one of their lesser strengths. Our Character Strengths change over time as we change, and it is interesting to observe these personal changes annually.  Mentors will be given a list of their Mentees’ Character Strengths which can be used for discussion and goal setting exercises.

Why are strengths important?  Research has shown that by identifying and using our strengths in novel ways in our everyday lives, increases self-awareness, optimism, satisfaction with life and engagement (Peterson and Seligman, 2004).  Here is a summary poster of the 24 strengths; http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Portals/0/Graphic2014.pdf

 

How can I find my Strengths?  I would encourage parents to also complete the Character Strength Survey. This is quite an easy process. Go to the VIA website www.viame.org or the Authentic Happiness website www.authentichappiness.com and complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey. You will need to register to access the survey (registration is free). The VIA Character Strengths Survey will take about 20 minutes to complete and will give you a ranking for each of the 24 character strengths. Your top 5 strengths are considered your signature strengths. For those who are disappointed with your lowest ranked strengths, remember, it doesn’t mean you don’t have any of these strengths, it just means they don’t rank as highly for you as some of the other strengths. The good news is that our strengths are malleable and we can change them over time.  If we use our signature strengths, we feel more authentic and we find it easy to use them because they resonate with our character. The challenge is to find new ways to use your signature strengths. Choose a strength that:

•  You get a feeling of excitement when using it

• You experience a rapid learning curve when you first practise the strength.

• You get a feeling of invigoration when using it.

 

Each year, I enjoy updating my own Character Strengths and then reflecting on how to use my Signature Strengths daily to enhance my wellbeing.

The 2018 China Review  - will be held on Wednesday 9th May 5-6;15pm, in the MPAC Simons’ Auditorium. Parents, grandparents and friends are most welcome.

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Year Six Camp - Mt Arapiles

On the 17th of April, the Year Six students headed off to the rocky Mount Arapiles for a camp full of adventure and fun at the Arapiles-Tooan State Park located at the base of the mountain. Mount Arapiles is a huge rock near Horsham. It is believed to be one of the best rock climbing locations in the world and was once home to the world’s hardest climb.

Here are some of our thoughts on the camp.

  • The first time I went abseiling I was too scared to do it (I think everyone was though) but I went up the top and I did it 2 more times.
  • The funniest moment from camp was when Charlie Beggs came back from getting water and he was drenched. He made a clothes line to dry most of his clothes.
  • In the MasterChef dessert challenge, 6N made a dish with a choc ripple biscuit base covered in chocolate with apples and cinnamon on top and bananas cooked full of chocolate and marshmallows. 6R made little stacks with a chocolate ripple biscuit base, a chocolate covered marshmallow then another biscuit and a chocolate covered pretzel on top. 6R WON!
  • My favourite activity was when we got to abseiling down the mountain. It’s quite a challenge, especially if you’ve never done it before.
  • My favourite activity was bouldering because I nearly got around the whole rock and it was a new experience.
  • My favourite activity was prusiking. It was a challenge. It works your leg muscles and arm muscles to pull yourself up and, if you got high enough, you could lie back and a swing yourself or just chill.
  • When it was our turn for rock climbing, I got up and down a small climb in 26 seconds, but sadly I was beaten by George Austin who got up and down in 24 seconds :(!
  • On the last day, we set off in the morning for a 14km walk up to the top of Mt Arapiles. On the way, we went through a big valley that was pretty because of the different rock colours.
  • Ben was leading us using a guide book. At the top, we had hot dogs and salad for lunch. It was a wonderful view at the top. There were 4 salt lakes and we could see Mitre Rock.
  • My favourite meal was the hot dog at the top the mountain because I was so hungry and exhausted.
  • Throughout the 3 days that we were there we mastered, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing, but my favourite activity was abseiling because I conquered my fear of heights and standing on ledges.
  • During the camp, we got two chances to vote for a Brownlow medallist. We had to vote for someone that we thought was best on camp, helping with jobs around the campsite, giving everything a shot and encouraging others to give things a go as well. Year 6N’s medal winner was Tom Heazlewood and the two runners-up were Chantal Jackson and Sophie Paton and the Year 6R winner was Olivia Mann and the runners-up were Sybil Fleetwood and George Austin.
  • The Camp Brownlow means that you have tried hard, put in as an individual, you have worked hard and shown good teamwork. I think that many people showed these criteria, and I think that everyone deserved a camp Brownlow!!
  • This was the best camp I’ve ever been on.