Head of Wellbeing - Edition 16 - 2021

This year I have had the joy of reconnecting with an Old Scholar whom I taught when she was in the Preparatory School. After leaving Westminster at the end of Year 12, Nicole Calder ('10) moved to the USA on a soccer scholarship. Her life has given her an array of experiences that have led her to having a passionate interest in mental health and wellbeing. Our Year 12s have benefitted from hearing her story and engaging in a course she has developed to equip people to more effectively offer support to one another. Here she outlines the key topics she addressed with the Year 12 students:

“Throughout the course of Term 3, I had the pleasure of working with the Year 12 students to equip them with skills to better support others. The primary focal points of the sessions were teaching individuals how to create a safe environment – how to build rapport with their peers through taking an active interest, mirroring their language, and validating their feelings. Students were also taught how to collaboratively problem-solve through exploration of an individual’s feelings and their prior coping mechanisms. I believe that we don’t ever get better alone – we rely on the support of others to feel better. It’s within this space that the sessions were designed to target and were positively received amongst the students and teachers.

A massive thanks to both Liz Collins and David Wallage for the opportunity to contribute to the Year 12 Wellbeing program, something I am looking to implement again in 2022.”

Nicole Calder (’10)

Our Year 12 Wellbeing Leader Daisy Jury, took the time to express her appreciation for what Nicole contributed:

“Nicole contributed so positively and significantly to the Wellbeing program this year. I had the privilege of working alongside her in anticipation of the Year 12 Wellbeing Day last term, and I’m really grateful for her weekly sessions. I truly feel better equipped to support others and myself after undergoing her course, and I can say with certainty that many other students feel the same way. She is so knowledgeable and approachable, and always made the Year 12s feel heard and comfortable.”

If you are interested in finding out more about Nicole’s work, her website is www.nicolecalder.com

Liz Collins
Head of Wellbeing
Email
T: 08 8276 0395