Taming Inner Critics - Positive Education Week

Through sincere story-telling and in serene and sensationally gifted song, Clare Bowditch’s beacon-like presence drew the 400+ strong Loreto Toorak audience of students, parents and staff into an intimate conversational interplay on wellbeing.

Her entire performance was perfection, but what she had to say in the keynote address took the gold star as the high-point of our Wellbeing and Positive Education Week.

Clare ‘hit the message mark’, assuring that she was here to make a difference for the better, while ‘dipping her proverbial hat’ of respect, gratitude and admiration at the fine student leadership that had brought the evening to bear. She was exceptionally relevant, acknowledging the school’s strong wellbeing programs and character, while focusing on the forward momentum needed to care for self by challenging and displacing one’s negative mindset. She named her inner critic and sought a tribe-like compliance, asking her audience to personalise theirs and join her in joyous song. This lit the way to best self being and left a memorable impression that will teach us going forward.

As one of our parents offered; “Thank you, thank you, thank you. That was inspirational! Tonight I feel as though I have been with a motivational speaker, an Artist, a Counsellor and friend. The message resonated with my daughter – her and my basket were filled with takeaways.”

Francesca Apollini and Chloe Milinos, our Wellbeing Councillors not only pre-interviewed and then hosted Clare Bowditch on the Wednesday night of Wellbeing and Positive Education Week, but also during this week they ran lunchtime bracelet making activities in the library for more than 300 Senior School students. This activity was titled, ‘Stringing relational connections together.’ Chloe and Francesca project-managed this activity in Rathfarnham too, working with Ms Tucker to ensure all students at Loreto Toorak had the opportunity to have fun partaking in this engaging and symbolic activity.

Staff recognised Wellbeing and Positive Education Week too, with a number of them attending a professional learning opportunity on Stress Reduction. As Ms Angela O’Dwyer said; “We are certainly aware it is Wellbeing and Positive Education Week.”

MS JULIANNE DENNETT - ​HEAD OF POSITIVE EDUCATION