FEATURES
NOT WEAK TO SPEAK
MENTAL HEALTH IDENTIFIED AS A KEY FOCUS FOR 2020 AND BEYOND
Following the return to onsite learning in Term 4 , the Senior School Health and Wellbeing Prefects ( Jett Beale , Hugo Boreham , Jack McCorkell , Oliver Simmons and Simon Tarrant ) launched the Not Weak to Speak campaign , which ran across both the Junior and Senior Schools .
Having identified mental health as a key focus for 2020 , the boys led conversations about the importance of speaking openly about how we are feeling , and recognising the importance of seeking help and advice from others .
In the Senior School , the campaign was launched in virtual Assemblies , live streamed to boys both learning onsite and at home . A powerful launch video was produced with the assistance of Nick Finster ( Year 12 ), which can be viewed by scanning the QR code opposite , featuring endorsement from boys and staff of the Senior School . The Not Weak to Speak portal was also created , providing a variety of resources produced by the Year 12 leaders and School Psychologists , and made accessible to boys on the themes of managing stress , dealing with setbacks , how to start a meaningful conversation , and staying motivated .
In the Junior School , Year 6 leaders worked hard to produce a launch video , focusing on the theme of ‘ What does it mean to be a man ?’. This question built on ongoing reflections surrounding the ‘ Dear Junior School Me ’ podcast , which featured Year 12 boys reflecting on their younger years in the Junior School and the lessons that they have learnt with the benefit of hindsight . These messages linked the Junior School to the Senior School message of Not Weak to Speak .
Boys across both the Junior and Senior Schools ( and online ) were provided with a Not Weak to Speak wristband , which acted as a tangible way for boys to express their support for the cause and make a commitment to supporting all those within our community .
Thanks go to the Health and Wellbeing Prefects , Mr David Brown ( Dean of Students ), Mr Nick Clark and Mrs Lara Silkoff ( Senior School Psychologists ) and Mr Andrew Strempel , Ms Lucy McCutcheon and Mrs Tremaine Pavlovski in the Junior School , for bringing the campaign to life .
WILL DIXON – SCHOOL CAPTAIN
24 Great Scot Issue 161 – December 2020