Wellbeing comes first at Kolbe
26 October 2023
Wellbeing is not just the absence of illness, it encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health;
and during Week 9, Kolbe Catholic College celebrated their first Wellbeing Week to promote and encourage positive wellbeing amongst their community.
The Wellbeing Team organised a range of activities to start conversations amongst students and help them develop strategies to combat challenging days. Student leaders hosted activities throughout the day, care packs were distributed and a mindfulness competition was held to create awareness and address some of the hurdles young people face in today’s world.
Phoebe, Year 7 said she enjoyed the activities and learning more about wellbeing.
“Wellbeing week was amazing. I participated in friendship bracelet making, painted a wellbeing tree with thumbprints, and absolutely loved the face painting.”
Recognising the importance of families in the promotion of positive wellbeing, Helping Minds, a mental health care provider, visited the College to
present a Mental Health Basics workshop for parents and caregivers. The workshop shone a light on the mental health struggles facing children and young people and how to access support.
A highlight of Wellbeing Week was the celebration of R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to promoting conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.
‘R U OK? day at Kolbe is always a positive day my friends and I look forward to. The atmosphere around the college was great, with many students wearing yellow in support of the cause. We also had a wonderful visit from local face painter Rosie O to brighten everyone’s day.’ Allira in Year 12 said.
During these events, Kolbe students were given the opportunity to encounter Kiera the Koala and Rambo the Carpet Python from WestOz Wildlife, and students were well fed with a very generous donation of free fruit from the team at Coles Rockingham.
Overall, the week was a huge success, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health and the need to create a supportive and inclusive community. By promoting open dialogues, educating students, and fostering a culture of empathy, Kolbe staff showed they are committed to not only nurturing the minds of their students but also their hearts, ensuring they are well equipped to face the challenges of life with resilience and strength.
