Social Intelligence All well and good – sustaining a community
W ith psychological cornerstone of good health, Caroline Black has this year
my experience of our parent body, and being a parent of pre-teens myself, there is an overwhelming desire to know more about how to best support our sons and enhance their personal growth and wellbeing.” Later this year, there will be the development of a parent programme that aligns with College’s wellbeing philosophy and approach to wellbeing education. “Our work this year is a natural evolution of what has been established,” she says. “We have a strong foundation of wellbeing at College. It is embedded in all aspects of College life, right down to our policies and strategic themes. “Looking back at what has been implemented in the last five years is really affirming. Every year we are gaining traction in this respect. The introduction of the Years 9–11 MINDfit curriculum this year has built on what started at Years 12–13 with MANifesto. We
now have wellbeing education taught across all five year groups, with a natural progression leading to our Graduate Profile. “Character strengths are widely celebrated through our Character and MANifesto Awards, which have led to the annual Charlie Upham Awards, and this year our Year 9 cohort is engaging in a full term of mindfulness. We’re already firmly on the way to achieving the outcomes we want to see.” And they are? “The goal must focus on ensuring our boys have the tools to experience joy in life while also having the resilience and grit to deal with the tough times,” Caroline says. “For us, as a school, we want to be at the top of the cliff with preventive strategies and an environment that supports thriving, and not the ambulance at the bottom. It is an ambitious goal. “I firmly believe that by fostering and teaching wellbeing through our curriculum programmes, as
wellbeing a fundamental
stepped into the fray – leading the charge as College’s new Director of Wellbeing Education. In a defining career change after teaching English for many years, she now heads the Centre for Wellbeing Education. Her focus is to ensure that all boys can thrive in everything they do. However, not just the boys will benefit under the broadened concept but rather the entire College community, with curriculum programmes at each year level, along with staff initiatives. There will be opportunities for parents who have indicated the value they place on being able to tune into their sons and support them with the challenges and successes that can arise during the adolescent years. “Parents play a key role in our boys’ wellbeing,” Caroline says. “In
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