Year 12 Retreat

Last Weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 Retreat at the Dzintari Latvian Camp, Yankalilla, from Saturday 2 to Monday 4 March.

Westminster’s Wellbeing Framework recognises there is a variety of components that contribute to a sense of wellbeing. The Retreat provided fun and engaging activities to offer a positive effect on students’ emotions and attitude. There were opportunities to promote positive psychology, resilience, and optimism through information sessions and guest speakers. Each of the activities provided strategies for students to manage the inevitable challenges that Year 12 brings.

The sessions that the students experienced were Yoga, Mindfulness, Physical Fitness, Rock and Water, Gratitude, and Study and Revision Skills. These were delivered by Westminster staff and external providers. Each session provided information and strategies to the students in order to provide them with the skills and confidence that they are capable young men and women, and there is a strong support network around them in order for them to do their best.

On the Saturday evening at the Retreat, Peter Dempsey addressed the group and told his story. After suffering a crippling stroke as a child, Peter has spent the past 20 years learning to walk and talk again. Once labelled “Adelaide’s most bullied boy”, Peter has faced more physical, mental and emotional challenges than most. He spoke for about 60 minutes and had the full attention of all in the room with his message of resilience and standing up to those who try to put you down.

This was the third Year 12 Retreat that has been run at Westminster and I would like to thank Head of Senior Students, Mr Tony Ritson ('93) and Head of Wellbeing, Ms Liz Collins for their input and organisation of the event. School Captain, Brodie Eckert and School Vice Captain, Maddie Tape also had major input to the weekend.

Sports Day

I would like to remind parents that the Senior Sports Day is on the afternoon of Thursday 28 March, and all day Friday 29 March. This event is one of the highlights of the year and provides an opportunity for students to support each other in a wide variety of events over the two days. Parents are very welcome to attend this event and once the program of events is finalised it will be emailed to all parents. The Houses are working towards filling all the events across all year levels. It is great to see the interaction between the students and how they support each other, even if they not in the same House. Once each House has organised their team, your child will be able to tell you the time they will be competing.

As a lead up to Sports Day, the annual Tug of War competition will be held with each House fielding Junior and Senior teams. The preliminary rounds are used to find the two finalists who will then compete against each other during the lunch period on Sports Day. I look forward to a great event.

SEQTA

As you would expect when implementing any new system, we have experienced a few teething problems during the roll out of SEQTA to parents/guardians, however it would now appear that most people have been able to access the system. We have had 1754 parents and guardians access the system since its launch, which is a great result.

When the SEQTA app email is sent there is a period of one week to scan the code within the email to access and activate the account. If you have not used the SEQTA engage app and wish to do so you will need to email WSSEQTA@westminster.sa.edu.au to request the email to be resent with a new QR code.

David Wallage
Head of Senior School