Window into Wellbeing

14 September 2021

As lockdown continues Catholic Secondary Colleges on the Northern Beaches; St Paul’s at Manly and Mater Maria at Warriewood, have deployed a range of programs to assist their students’ wellbeing.

Marc Reicher Principal at Mater Maria said, “our team has been working hard to find a balance between zoom classes with teachers; student interest projects; and wellbeing programs that get them off their screens to provide balance during this extended lockdown.”

One initiative aptly named ‘Lettuce Care’ saw 44 students at Mater Maria sign up to grow lettuce, with the objective of getting them outdoors and in turn donating their produce to Foodbank

Further down the Northern Beaches St Paul’s encouraged students to wear their favourite NRL team jersey so as raise awareness about the Nathan Gremmo Community Fund and in turn organ Donation. Mr Reid commented "A major focus for students and teachers has been self-care and staying connected. Jersey Day is a way of building on those connections. It's not easy engaging young men in a conversation about what will happen when a loved one passes. Jersey Day is a great way of breaking the ice and talking about how our choices can give life to other."

With the physical wellbeing of students at both Colleges paramount they were invited to join a 15-minute webinar entitled ‘Avoid Teck Neck’ presented by local chiropractor, Dr James Kerr, who shared an informative session demonstrating simple tips and tricks to keep upper bodies in better shape. Many parents were grateful for the help with Belinda Winfry saying, “thank you so much for the video about posture problems and solutions. This has been a great help to my children at this time.”

Whilst recognising we are all living in crazy times earlier this month the students and teachers from Mater Maria literally ‘let their hair down’ participating in Crazy Hair Day with great prizes up for offer from a local salon, Cranium in Manly. This ‘wellbeing’ event also provided students with an interest in the Hair Care industry to learn more about a possible career in it. Jayne Persico, Pathways Leader with Catholic Schools Broken Bay, who co-ordinated the event was also inundated with requests from staff hoping for a sneaky haircut!