Wellbeing Wonderings - Issue 8

STUDENT WELLBEING AWARENESS GROUP // ISSUE 8

WELLBEING WONDERINGS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2020 DESIGNED BY ANDY KIM

FUN FRIDAY VIDEOS - 01 SUMMER TIPS - 02 DAHLIA PAGE - 03

SUPERMAN/WOMAN - 04 COVID-19 INFOGRAPHIC - 05 ONE YEAR RECAP - 06

FUN FRIDAY VIDEOS!

BY HELEN JOUNG & HYENA SIM

You can find our Fun Friday Episode 1 below: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=RYo2WiIMcFs&feature=youtu.be Having heard that some students are falling behind their academic work, the SWAG put together a video of the members studying so that they can turn on the video when studying and feel

During the school closure due to COVID-19, the

as if they are studying with a friend. You can find

SWAG prepared weekly videos in order to remind

our Fun Friday Episode 2 below:

students of the importance of wellbeing and possible ways they can maintain their health

https://youtu.be/JB5k3iIV4C0

during the quarantine and relax amid rigorous online learning. As a means of making the

Our final Fun Friday video was on sharing some

students’ Friday more exciting, the SWAG decided

workout

to put together a video with a central theme and

moves. Besides our main purpose of motivating

share it with the whole school community every

other students to keep themselves active, our

Friday. Our first “Fun Friday” video was on sharing

other aim for taking the video was to induce

how the SWAG members have been coping with

laughters from the students by showing them

having to stay at home. The video showcased our

some

members making a healthy strawberry milkshake,

movements. You can find our Fun Friday Episode 3

coloring books, taking an ASMR video, jogging,

below:

challenges

of

our

and

entertaining

members’

hilarious

dance

dance

dancing, eating healthily, and reading books at home. By sharing what individual members have

https://youtu.be/stBW_shwBNs

been doing, we tried to encourage others to take time to move away from the screen and try to stay

Most importantly, thank you to all who have

healthy, active, and calm.

shown their support for our videos!

SUMMER TIPS

BY LUCIA JIN

- Summer vacation is a great time to learn how to bake and cook for all those foodies out there.

Either do it with friends, family or by yourself, students would be able to taste the fruits of their labour and it is so far more delicious than takeouts.

Our school year has come to an end, and it is time

- Take the time to take a break from Social Media.

to welcome the summer with open arms. During

Yes, social media are engaging, entertaining and

these trying times with Covid-19, and the stress of

soothing to watch, but there comes a point where

the upcoming year, it is important for students to

it’s too much! Take walks in parks, or just walk to a

know that they should have fun no matter how

near destination you plan on going! Focus on

tough it gets! We as the Student Welfare

what’s going around, focus on something that is

Awareness Group have come up with a list of

outside your phone.

possible activities that maintains or even induce

- Use this as an opportunity to brush up on your

tranquility and joy.The summer provides a great

old skills or even learn some new ones like

opportunity for students to get closer to their

painting, knitting, football, and such.

family and friends, but most importantly, to take

- Most importantly, remember to balance your

off the stress they have accumulated in the past

academic life and your personal lives. Don’t ever

academic year. To maintain a healthy summer to

forget to have some fun! While many take the time

start students refreshed is to continuously

of summer vacation to catch up and revise for new

practice wellness. This can be done in so many

information for the upcoming year, it is vital that

ways, ranging from Cooking to just taking an

students know Summer Vacation is a day of

entire day of for yourself and yourself only.

recharge and merriment.

DAHLIA: 2020 HEALTH MENTAL AWARENESS WEEK

While mental and physical health was the most serious issue that globally bothered people’s lives in 2020 , SWAG and Dahlia society have engaged the NLCS community within different ways in order to commemorate 2020 Mental Health Awareness Month. The theme of this year’s mental health awareness month was ‘kindness’, which was a necessary attribute to overcome the chaos.

After

the

prolonged

quarantine

and

exam

cancellations, the majority of students and staffs in NLCS have suffered from their self-quarantine life. Some people might have wondered how to

BY ERIN LEE

spend time wisely, some might be depressed about the fact that they should avoid going outdoors, or some might have lost their track of academics. Since it was an unfamiliar situation for everyone, getting confused about coping with the situation were obviously a difficult problem to solve for everyone. The entire uncertainties have taken away a lot of people’s mental health, and that’s why SWAG x Dahlia have decided to take initiatives.

For the regular well-being wednesday activity, the

To briefly introduce the video, it emphasizes how

SWAG opened a compliment zone on 27th of May,

kindness is closely linked with protecting our

where all the year groups came back to school

mental health. The content

after the staggered re-openings. The main activity

definition of kindness, health benefits of kindness,

was writing some positive compliments for anyone

kind actions to take in our real life, and tips to

around the school community during break times

remember before we actually take steps . The last

and lunch times. Those who’ve written sincere

main message we wanted to deliver was to be kind

compliments to each other were provided a small

to yourself - prioritise some “me” time, so that you

treat and a positive mission to complete such as

can relax and reflect on how you’re feeling. We

‘holding the door for the next person.’ Those notes

provided some ways to be kind to ourselves such

are planned to be attached in a big board in order

as turning off social media channels or spending

to make it visible, and to further spread positivity

some time in nature which is great for our mental

to the surroundings. Thankfully, there were plenty

health.

includes the re-

of responses which actually surprised us.

Before you go into your holidays, please make sure The Dahlia society has approached the students as

that you are keeping your mental health and

well. Following the year before, we’ve sticked

physical health at the same time. Do not put

small positive notes in random places around the

excessive burden to yourselves nor stress out too

school which could refresh and delight people,

much. Always remind yourself that you are living

such as ‘Keep your face to the sunshine and you

the best moment of your lives, and embrace it as

cannot see a shadow.’ The quotes were aimed to

far as you can. If you struggle with handling your

make people cherish their lives and basically - love

mental health, look around and seek for help -

themselves ! They are currently preparing a video

there will always be someone who is caring for you

about the manual of kindness, which is the theme

all the time.

of this year’s mental health awareness month.

SUPERMAN & SUPERWOMAN

The title of superwoman falls to Ms.Powell, who has tirelessly worked in the school especially in pastoral care. Being a true pioneer in the school, she was suggested by many as a person who consistently made efforts to introduce new approaches in how the school approached

BY FRED LEE

pastoral issues. She brought positivity where it needed to be and took every student and staff under her supervision with care. Such efforts of

The title of superman/woman is only given to the

general kindness therefore had to be compensated

people who have truly shown their passion for care

by the title of superwoman.

and loving for those around them. This year we had several nominated by the student body but the

Because both superman and superwoman of this

nominations for the last superheros of this academic

year are unfortunately leaving us after this

year has had truly thoughtful response and reflection.

academic year, this title is fully meaningful and

Having numerous nominations of qualified candidates

the school body only hopes that the variety of

for this year’s last superman/woman, the school had a

quality candidates for our schools’ superheros

difficult

continue, Helen Joung.

time

awarding

such

prestigious

title.

However, we came to a final decision.

Geomun

house

master,

Mr.Fowler

recieved

overwhelming support from many students and staff from Geomun. Multiple nominations suggested that he truly displayed his commitment to care, not only his own students but everyone around him. Therefore Mr.Fowler has been titled the last superman of the 2019-2020 academic year.

COVID-19 INFOGRAPHIC

BY MELANIE KANG How to protect yourself from Covid-19. During dayto-day activities, people can take the following measures to prevent infection, in accordance with WHO guidelines: 1. Clean the hands regularly with an alcoholbased sanitizer, or wash them with soap and water.

The

recommendation,

CDC

also

advising

make that

this

sanitizer

should contain “at least 60% alcohol” and that people should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.

2. Clean surfaces — such as kitchen seats and work desks — regularly with disinfectant.

3. Avoid crowded areas when going out, for people over 60 years old and people with any underlying health problems.

4. Try to avoid close contact with people who display flu-like symptoms, including coughing and sneezing.

5. Get accurate information about COVID-19.

Some good sources include the Pan American Health Organization and WHO websites.

RECAP OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-20

Arts Performance This academic year was especially enriched in artistic aspects as numerous performances were brought on stage. In the Christmas Concert, the orchestra, band, choir, and staff ensembles blew warmth and bliss into our winter season. Shortly after the Christmas break, Herman Melville’s classic novel was turned into another epic musical production by Mr. Peirson, Ms. De Carteret, the live band, and student actors across

BY EUNICE LEE

all year groups. <Moby Dick the Musical> was an amazing journey for both the cast members and the audience as the seemingly-difficult storyline was

The academic year of 2019/20 has been exciting

captured into an enjoyable one-hour show. This year,

and

students also took initiative in their 2020 Student

tumultuous

for

everyone,

with

many

accomplishments fulfilled yet plans altered. The SWAG organized a quick recap of this year to look back on the amazing achievements we have made as a community!

Musical Project, bringing the Tony Awards winning Broady musical <Dear Evan Hansen> onto the NLCS PAC. After extensive rehearsals and tech management, the team successfully brought laughter and tears to the audience through their passion to promote mental health awareness in our community. With Arts Week

New SWAG After a selective admissions procedure, the original SWAG team passed their baton on new members to join the crew. The new SWAG of

coming up in a few weeks, we look forward to other big and small events such as Sonitas busking, dance performances, the infamous Canons Follies, and much more.

2019/20 gave their best in trying to make a better community for student welfare in NLCS Jeju,

COVID-19 and Online Learning

advancing the prior group members’ exemplary

We had plans, exams, and ceremonies to be held, yet a

efforts and ideas.This year, the SWAG worked in

virus smaller than 0.125 micrometers broke them all in

organizing many lunchtime events, promoting

a flash. COVID-19, arguably the top global issue of

welfare issues, and connecting with students on a

2019/20, switched our classes to online lessons and

personal level to support wellbeing in our school.

We held Wellbeing Wednesday events throughout the year including “write a letter to your one-yearlater self”, “play the mental health quiz and sign Evan’s cast”, “random acts of kindness”, and more. Students were enthusiastic in participating in these events and we plan to hold even more exciting

programs

next

year!

In

times

of

quarantine, the SWAG also sent out weekly videos

prohibited us from convening. Under self quarantine and social distancing, not only our school members but the whole international society experienced many hardships

with

the

lack

of

socialization

and

proactiveness. NLCS Jeju luckily adapted to the new learning environment very quickly and was able to continue similar academic enrichment as physical classes, though students and staff missed each others’ presence. If you have/are struggling with any concerns or difficulties from dealing with this unusual situation,

to students in both the junior and senior school to

please feel free to reach out to emotional counselors

give advice on staying active and keeping a

or any members of the SWAG for help! The SWAG

positive mindset. The SWAG also launched an

would also like to reiterate the importance of

academic mentoring program for students to

continual efforts in keeping personal space and

connect with each other for scholastic support and

wearing face masks for all students and staff to

started a “honbap zone” for pupils to freely eat on

prevent any potential risk of infection and ensuring

their own without feeling excluded. If there are any more ideas or suggestions for welfare, please do not hesitate to let us know!

Examinations The IGCSE and IB examinations were cancelled worldwide due to COVID-19, but Year 11 and 13 students worked hard through their two-year course and took mock examinations in the winter.

that our school environment is safe enough for continuation of classes!

Start Here, Go Anywhere With the year of 2019/20 to its closure, we sadly have to say farewell to students and instructors who will be leaving our campus next year. Year 13s have graduated

as

proud

North

London

Collegiate

Schoolers with different passions and directions in different regions around the globe. Many staff will be

With annual exams postponed to August, Year 10

also moving to different environments next year after

and 12 students are also putting their best into

having spent their time on this beautiful island. As our

preparation for next year with praiseworthy

slogan “start here, go anywhere” says, the SWAG

fortitude and stamina. Year 7 to 9 had tests altered

congratulates every member of our community in

into an online format as on-site testing turned

moving to their next life destination after the initiation

unavailable due to the virus outbreak. The SWAG

in NLCS Jeju. We also look forward to greeting new

wants to give a great round of applause to all students who have worked hard this year and went through tough exams!

members who will start on this campus next year.We applaud every single one of you for your efforts and achievements made this year! Have a wonderful summer and remember: the SWAG cares so much about your wellbeing and is always here for you.