Blinkers off, growth mindset on
Year 11 student George Gearry says the MINDfit sessions rolled out this year have raised matters he wouldn’t necessarily have thought about. “They’re not forcing things on us, but it is about bringing up matters – like resilience and mental health issues – that raise our awareness and show us it’s normal to sometimes talk about things like that. “I liked when they spoke about who you would want in your corner supporting you when things get tough. And the conversation on who is looking up to us was also quite an eye opener. It related to younger siblings in the family, but also other boys within the school context. I think it kind of showed the need to develop a sense of responsibility and made me see things in a different light.” George says the discussion about “fixed mindset versus growth mindset” was also useful. “I’ve recognised that, at 15, I’m a bit of a fixed mindset person at times, and now I’m aware of the need to take opportunities to develop a growth mindset.” This change has already manifested in him stepping up for a role in his House play. “I signed up for that this year and had a great time getting to know a lot of other guys a lot better. It was fun and I’d definitely do it again.”
George says the overall messaging of MINDfit is useful for all aspects of life, not just inside the school gates. “It’s all useful. I think it helps you develop more confidence for everything you’re doing.” For Year 10 student Jack Smith going on the live-in boarding experience in Jacobs House was a matter of moving just a few metres from his School House “home”. A boarder from Hawke’s Bay, Jack is well used to boarding life, but he hadn’t known all the boys in his year group before going on the Immerse & Inspire programme. “It was great to get to know all the other boys who I wouldn’t usually see around school. I got to know a lot of them and found a lot of similarities. And it was good to move out of School House and have a change of scenery and experience something different.” Jack enjoyed the outdoors activities and the weekend House programme, and says the Boyle River week was the high point of the whole experience. “The programme opens your eyes to so much. It’s like showing us what it’s like in the real world and what you need to survive. I really liked the talks on health and wellbeing, too. It’s about equipping us with more skills, and teaching us lessons for the workplace when we’ve left school.”
“The programme opens your eyes to somuch. It’s like showing us what it’s like in the real world andwhat you need to survive. I really liked the talks on health andwellbeing, too. It’s about equipping us withmore skills, and teaching us lessons for the workplace when we’ve left school.” Jack Smith
Christ’s College Canterbury
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