Senior School

R U OK? Day 2025

Next Thursday 11 September, Westminster will mark R U OK? Day, an important opportunity to focus on wellbeing and the power of meaningful conversations.

Students in Years 7–12 are invited to add a splash of yellow to their School day by wearing yellow accessories such as ribbons, socks or scrunchies.

This simple gesture is a reminder of the importance of checking in with one another and showing support for those who may be struggling. Students are also encouraged to bring a gold coin donation, with all proceeds supporting Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), a vital service offering 24/7 counselling for children and young people across Australia.

At Westminster, we believe that fostering open conversations about mental health is an essential part of nurturing the wellbeing of every student. R U OK? Day provides the whole School community with a moment to pause, reflect and remember that a simple question can make a powerful difference.

Spotlight on Sport

More Than the Summit: Growing Through Our Co-Curricular Journey

As we bring our winter season to a close and reflect on the excitement and passion of Intercol, it feels timely to pause and consider what these moments mean for our students and our community.

French writer and poet René Daumal reminds us that success is not defined solely by what we achieve but by who we become along the way:

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.”

As the winter season comes to an end and we reflect on the energy, pride and connection of Intercol, Daumal’s words feel particularly relevant. The summit represents the moments we strive for — playing a Senior Intercol fixture, performing on stage, competing at a national regatta, debating under pressure or holding your nerve in a championship chess match. These are the moments that capture attention, yet they are not the whole story.

For me, some of the most rewarding moments are not the trophies or wins, but seeing how students grow through the climb. I have watched teams rebound from heartbreaking losses, casts support each other through nerves before a performance, and students learn to lead in ways they never thought possible. These moments of resilience and courage are where the real transformation happens.

When the summit moments pass — the match is won or lost, the curtain falls, the season ends — what remains is the growth. Students carry forward the lessons, the friendships and the perspective gained, and they draw on them in classrooms, relationships and life beyond School.

At Westminster, we are proud of the achievements our students earn, but we celebrate just as strongly the people they become through the journey.

Stephen Schwerdt

Head of Activities