Mind, Body and Soul

“From the survey feedback we concluded that, particularly for those in Years 7, 8 and 9, allowing opportunity and time to focus on wellbeing during this period was crucial to students’ overall learning success.”

A CHALLENGE FOR MIND, BODY AND SOUL

The final week of Term 1 was our first period of Learning at Home, a deliberate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed up by more remote learning during the first weeks of Term 2. The year, especially if you were new to the School, or starting Year 7, was quickly moving away from anything that resembled “normal”.

At each of these stages of Learning at Home, staff, parents and students were surveyed to capture best practice and address the challenges of the situation for our community. It became obvious that the pastoral connections and structured day were working very well, but that for many, this period was in danger of becoming overwhelming. Responses were launched from all over the School: The “Our Village” hub was enhanced to further support our community, and teachers reached once more into a growing ‘bag’ of technology to support our students with their learning.

Angus Gunn, Year 7, in full flight, focusing on his mastery project of Mountain bike riding

Kavya Hans, Year 7, perfected her Pancake recipe as part of her mastery project

A CHALLENGE FOR MIND, BODY AND SOUL (CONT.)

From the survey feedback we concluded that, particularly for those in Years 7, 8 and 9, allowing opportunity and time to focus on wellbeing during this period was crucial to students’ overall learning success, and a significant initiative grew from this strange time of uncertainty.

The “Mind, Body, Soul Challenge” was developed through a rapid, thorough consultation with key staff members and the leadership of Chris Beechey, Head of Middle School and Adele Ryan, Co-ordinator of Middle School Learning.

The goals were to get students off their screens, to encourage exercise and a focus on personal wellbeing (Mind, Body and Soul!)

Zoom meetings of 4-5 students facilitated by a teacher allowed students to brainstorm some goals of things they might ‘master’. Students each set themselves a goal that was relevant, interesting, and something they had always wanted to do. Some students took on goals such as designing archery target courses, learning painting techniques, fitness objectives, and culinary arts practices, while other goals were a range of physical challenges from juggling to Rubik’s cube solving, and complex tricks on their mountain bikes. Pets across the School community were walked, groomed, trained and displayed as students took the opportunity to include their animal companions in their challenges.

Students also recorded their physical exercise and completed a weekly wellbeing checklist that asked them to rank how well they were going with eating and sleeping, how they were showing gratitude, focusing on joy and finding good news to read and share. Students effectively encouraged each other to stay active, grateful and mindful using these simple tools and through the pastoral care of their teachers.

The final task was not a demonstration of the goal or activity (though students were very keen to share what they could do and what they had learned) but a video reflection where students thought about the challenges, successes and future goals that had come out of this process.

While all teachers and students are enjoying the opportunity to be back together working on their specific content and skills, the "Mind, Body, Soul Challenge" supported the wellbeing of our students while they worked remotely, and helped them remain connected to their peers and teachers and engaged with their learning.

Keith Romanis Chair of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Faculty

Year 7 student Will Tanner built a basketball court, requiring research, planning, budgeting and building skills to enable further basketball skill development

The beautiful new stained glass windows in the Chapel of Saint Mark, seen here in situ on the far right of the photo.

We both loved our schools and were so lucky to have attended them. This is our way of saying thank you.

- Ged Cutter

Amongst the many contributions of the Thomas, Cutter and Wright families to the School, David Wright (1985) along with his son Will (2017) continue to give back through volunteer rowing coaching.

May the mottos, Honores Laborem Sequuntur (Honour Follows Labour) and Serva Fidem (Keep the Faith) live on and, together with all the School has to offer, guide the generations to come. Everyone who has been to the School understands the meaning of those mottos – be a contributor and do your best.