VIRTUES From the Director of Wellbeing Education
In 2024, we have marked another year of dedicated advancement in Wellbeing Education at Christ’s College. Our unwavering commitment to the holistic wellbeing of our students remains the cornerstone of our approach. This year, we further strengthened and expanded our Wellbeing Education curriculum, tailoring it to meet the diverse needs of students from Years 9–13.
evolved and could be applied in leadership. During Term 2, all Year 9 students were guided by Liz de Lautour in mindfulness practices, focusing on resilience-building techniques that were well-received. Later, Year 9 students also examined kindness, gratitude, and friendship dynamics, distinguishing between friends, frenemies, and healthy relationships. Year 10 students delved into brain development, emotional regulation, and the importance of empathy and compassion in relationships, supported by insights from Dan Siegel’s research on the adolescent brain. For Year 11, character strengths and growth mindset took centre stage, incorporating Dr Carol Dweck’s research to help students differentiate flourishing, languishing, and depletion in themselves and others. The Years 12 and 13 MANifesto programmes continued to broaden their scope. Weekly sessions focused on wellbeing, character strengths, and mindfulness, and now included in-depth discussions on relationships, positive sexuality, and preparing for adulthood. Sleep remained a major theme, from understanding its science to establishing effective routines. Guest speakers from various fields offered valuable insights, enriching the wellbeing journey for students and our broader community. Nigel Latta kicked off the year with an engaging evening for the entire school community, focusing not only on mental health but also on simple, effective practices for building resilience and wellbeing. He has emphasised that while the challenges we face can feel complex, the steps forward are often refreshingly simple. Andrew Reiner followed, working with our Years 12 and 13 cohorts to challenge masculine stereotypes and explore healthier expressions of masculinity. Paul Dillon then engaged our Years 11–13 students, along with students from St Margaret’s College, in a session on staying safe around alcohol, vapes,
and drugs. His key takeaways include the importance of ‘water time’ and always having ‘a fistful of food’ when drinking. As part of our Year 10 Immerse & Inspire programme, I have presented to whaˉnau and parents on connecting with their sons through emotional awareness, ‘attunement’, and regulation. I shared simple, practical steps for fostering deeper engagement, helping parents tune into their teens’ emotions and experiences. These approaches aim to support parents in building meaningful connections and enhancing communication with their sons during these formative years. Outside the classroom, the Wellbeing Committee, led by Oscar Compton- Moen, has been dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment at College. This year, their guiding vision has been embodied in the theme Kei roto te kaha i te kanorau. Kei roto te mana i te Kotahitanga – meaning ‘strength in diversity, power in unity’. The committee has been committed to embracing all forms of diversity and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care, both at school and in the wider community. Our mission remains steadfast: to equip Christ’s College students with the emotional and interpersonal tools they need for resilient, fulfilling lives. We envision graduates leaving prepared to care for themselves, build meaningful connections, face challenges with strength, and thrive in their endeavours. The integration of our Wellbeing Education curriculum, parent education programme, and staff learning opportunities creates a unified support system for our College community, embodying our commitment to a wellbeing-focused culture. Engaging students, parents, whaˉnau, and staff, we cultivate a school environment where wellbeing is at the heart of daily life. Caroline Black Director of Wellbeing Education
We have carefully woven consistent thematic elements
into our curriculum to prepare our students for purposeful, resilient lives. Our bespoke framework emphasises character strengths, mindfulness, social- emotional competencies, and a growth mindset. Each year group also explores specific focal areas aligned with our broader vision, enabling students to cultivate the skills necessary for a healthy, fulfilling life – today and in the future. In Years 9–11, the MINDfit classes remain essential to our curriculum, offering students a foundational understanding of wellbeing’s importance. These sessions bridge discussions on physical fitness with the concept of being ‘mindfit’ and its positive impact on everyday life. Through
the VIA Character Strengths survey,
students discovered and appreciated their unique strengths, supporting their personal and academic growth. In senior years, students revisited their strengths with a growth mindset perspective, exploring how these strengths
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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