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At BISP, we understand the importance of nurturing the whole student. Our recent Secondary Wellbeing Day offered students from Years 7 to 13 a valuable opportunity to pause their academic routines and focus on personal growth. Centred around our five pillars of wellbeing—social, emotional, spiritual, physical and cognitive—the day introduced and expanded on key wellbeing concepts while addressing the unique needs of each year group through personalised instruction.

Throughout the academic year, these Wellbeing Days serve as a cornerstone for immersive learning experiences, designed to:

  • Engage students in meaningful, hands-on activities.
  • Introduce and expand on key wellbeing concepts.
  • Promote experiential learning by encouraging students to think, act, and reflect.
  • Address the unique needs of each year group through personalised instruction.

 

Year 7: Social Wellbeing

The theme for Year 7’s Wellbeing Day was “Connecting with Yourselves and Others”​. Students participated in a range of activities aimed at building relationships and self-awareness. The day started with a “Getting to Know You” scavenger hunt, followed by team-building exercises where students designed class flags and chants. These activities emphasised the importance of teamwork and creativity. The students also attended a session on “Safe Friendships” to learn about maintaining healthy relationships, and they concluded the day with small group projects that promoted communication skills and relaxation techniques.

 

Year 8: Social Wellbeing

Year 8 students focused on understanding their personal character strengths through creative tasks like the “Dove Hands” activity, which allowed them to express their unique traits using symbols and drawings​. The day included a session on digital health and wellbeing, where students learned about the importance of managing their digital footprints and responsibilities in the online world. By the end of the day, they began creating digital portfolios, reflecting on their personal growth and achievements.

 

Year 9: Social Wellbeing

For Year 9, the theme of connection was explored through a variety of engaging and interactive activities. Students took part in a “Speed Dating” exercise, which encouraged them to step outside of their comfort zones by meeting and interacting with different classmates. During this activity, they worked through a range of strategies to connect with others, practising conversational techniques without prompts to foster more organic conversations. This was followed by a lively “Disco Danceathon,” fostering collaboration and a sense of fun. Throughout the day, students reflected on their own character strengths and attended a keynote session by Christopher O’Shaughnessy, centred on building meaningful connections. The day concluded with a “Wellbeing Warrior Fashion Design” task, encouraging students to work together creatively while enhancing their teamwork skills.

 

Year 10: Navigating Transitions

Year 10 students concentrated on the theme of “Navigating Transitions and Building Connections”​. They began their day with a keynote session from Chris O’Shaughnessy, which discussed coping with change and building resilience in times of transition. Their follow-up activity was to write a letter to themselves in the future using the FutureMe platform. Students then took part in a team photo scavenger hunt, designed to encourage collaboration and problem-solving,as well as nurturing a sense of community in our school. They ended the day with a Snake Safety and Awareness Workshop led by Wonders in Nature, offering a unique opportunity for students to bond whilst being educated on our wild counterparts in Thailand. 

 

Year 11: Digital Safety

The Year 11 Wellbeing Day revolved around the creation of digital safety music videos​. Teams of students worked together in collaboration with key specialists from the Art, Design Technology, English and Music departments to produce music videos aimed at Year 7 and 8 students. Teams needed to assign roles such as visionaries, creators, editors and performers in order to produce a professional final product that highlighted the importance of digital safety. The day concluded with a final showcase in an X-Factor style setting where the videos were judged, allowing students to celebrate each other’s amazing efforts and impressive final work. 

 

Year 12: New Connections

Year 12 students focused on making new connections and strengthening their bonds as a cohort. The day included activities such as “Taskmaster” challenges and reflection sessions, linking to their CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements​. These activities, facilitated by ‘Making Teams’ helped students understand the value of collaboration and self-reflection as they transition into their final years at school.

 

Year 13: Resilience, Change, and Social Intelligence

Year 13 explored topics such as resilience and social intelligence in preparation for life beyond school. The day featured two keynote presentations by Chris O’Shaughnessy, focusing on equipping students with the skills to manage change and build meaningful relationships. Additionally, a role-playing activity led by Allen O’Halloran, Head of Drama, provided students with a hands-on opportunity to further develop these skills. As they prepare for life beyond BISP, these sessions encourage students to reflect on their personal growth and the challenges they will face in the future.

 

Wellbeing Days at BISP are integral to nurturing students’ emotional and social development. These dedicated days offer students the time and space to focus on personal growth, resilience, and relationships, helping them develop essential life skills. By engaging in a range of activities, students learn to connect with others, manage their emotions, and build the confidence needed to navigate both their academic journey and life beyond the classroom.