As our next group of graduates move towards their final semester at the College, we set aside time to provide a great opportunity for our students to focus on improving their social and emotional needs. The Year 12 Wellbeing Day held on the Monday of Week 10 enabled students to pause, reflect, and learn new skills to find balance in their busy and ever-changing world.

The students heard from Adam Przytula, the founder of Armed for Life on the topic of relationships and dating. Adam led our students through what factors contribute to the health of a relationship and what we can do as individuals to grow in our relationships generally and specifically in dating. As with tradition, the Year 11 Hospitality students served up a delicious lunch fuelling us for the activities to follow. A session with the Heads of House followed where students reflected on their High School experience to compose advice for our future Year 7 students, considered the quotes of wisdom provided from various staff members before thinking forward to who they want to be and what they should do to get there. The afternoon presented students with various sessions and activities to build community and their personal wellbeing. Volleyball, basketball, futsul, Pilates, videogames, boardgames and chillout zones were on offer to provide a variety of ways to relax and have fun. We had underestimated the impact a petting zoo would have on our students! The excitement and childlike joy on the faces of our students holding various cuddly animals proved that it was a valuable investment. This was met with concern when some students were heard saying "this is the best day of my life" and others having to be stopped from leaving the College with an alpaca. With all animals in good health and accounted for, the students departed at the end of the day refreshed.

The atmosphere throughout of the day was overwhelmingly positive and a great reminder to set time aside and be intentional in taking care of the wellbeing of ourselves and others.

Matthew Potts

Head of House Cumberland