VIRTUES From the Director of Wellbeing & Positive Education
and balanced lives through the promotion of preventative and proactive wellbeing tools and support. This year we have had the opportunity to embed a wellbeing programme into the curriculum for the Year 13s, with rollout of a curriculum at all year levels from 2022. Each Wednesday members of the Wellbeing Team, as well as outside speakers, were able to spend time with the Year 13s in small groups to discuss wellbeing and life issues with them. The small groups prompted the development of trust and afforded the students the opportunity to engage in deeper discussions. With direct input from the boys, we were able to tailor a programme that was suited to their current issues of concern and focus
ever changing world, to use Charles Darwin’s quote: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” This skill is important for our young men as they move through College and outside into the world. Next year will allow us to explore more deeply across all year groups with classes for wellbeing, as well as the health class that they also do. This will allow us to drill deeper with the boys around topics such as: • Character Strengths • Mindfulness • Relational Engagement • Growth Mindset It will enable us to align with the College Graduate to ensure that we are not only giving them the academic skills and knowledge to pursue their careers, but the life skills and tools so they can manage the challenges that the world throws at them. John Quinn Director of Wellbeing & Positive Education
The last decade, and more specifically the last several years, have marked a significant shift in the way we think and talk about mental health and wellbeing. Previously, ‘wellbeing’ was a term that was bandied around as something that would be “nice to do”. It is now on the front of everyone’s mind no matter what business you are in. We have been fortunate at College that the Board recognised the importance of investing in the wellbeing of our community five years ago, so we could start the process of embedding wellbeing into our everyday lives, from the students, the staff, and wider community. Underpinned by the science of wellbeing, positive psychology, growth mindset and neuroscience, the intention of the Wellbeing Team has been to empower members of the College community to live more fulfilling
on relevant topics and issues. We had guest speakers from: • NZ Police
• Attitude • Q-topia • Lawyers • Nutritionists • Leadership experts • Sleep experts • Old Boys
This allowed us to cover a range of topics in an informal way with questions and discussions. We will build on this next year to ensure that we are giving our boys the best opportunity to navigate the
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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