The final few days of Term 3, like the previous 9½ weeks, have remained extremely busy in and around the college as Mercy Week and Mental Health Awareness are recognised and celebrated. Along with this, we saw the conclusion of the Year 8 Eco Fashion unit. The students hosted a truly fabulous runway event last night, modelling and sharing what they have learnt across the term, and the NCEA solo music performances took place in the theatre. Finally, tomorrow will also see the college student and staff body ‘turn to pink’ as we support, and as a community, raise awareness of breast cancer.
It is quite appropriate that after such a busy term, and that this is the first term that was uninterrupted by weather, pandemics or industrial action, that we take time to reflect on ways in which we can enhance and improve our mental health. This year’s Mental Health Awareness week followed the theme of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.
A huge thank you to the team who have put on numerous events, activities and resources for staff and students throughout the week. To Mrs Harrod, Mrs Ferens, our Head of Council leaders, Layla James and Ginger Vargas, Atawhai Animators and the Year 12 Health class, thank you. As we not only reflect on this term, but the year to date, and as we have continued to face uncertainty across many aspects of our lives, each of us will be heading into the term break with some tools to help us boost our mental health.
To our parents and whānau who support our young women during this term break, a way to further support them is to encourage them to reflect on what has worked well this term and what hasn’t, and look at reasons why. By reflecting and discussing the highs and lows over the last 10 weeks, there are opportunities to learn and develop strategies which can then be put into practice as our students prepare for Term 4.
As I do at the beginning of each term break, I challenge our students over the next two weeks to find a balance between rest and recuperation, preparation and self improvement. Yes, our young women need to have a break, but they also need to ensure that each day they are doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity, at least 30 minutes of reading, and unplugging from devices at least 30 minutes before bed to ensure they return to school reinvigorated, refreshed and ready to make the most of the continuing opportunities the college has to offer.
I wish you all a safe term break and look forward to seeing you all back for Term 4.
