Our Commitment to Belonging
Our Commitment to Belonging
As a school, we were keen to get more student voice into any aspect of school life that pertains to student well-being.
and passionate about,” Club Captain Olive, Grade 12, said.
STUDENT VOICE IN WELLNESS
The Senior School Wellness Committee was formed in the 2024 – 2025 school year to advance student agency and amplify student voice in decision-making.“ The idea of the Committee was that we could have more authentic conversations, which would give us more insight from a student perspective, but also allow students to have a leadership role in bringing thoughts forward from their peers,” Ms Kimmel, Coordinator, Social Emotional Learning, said.
Led by Amy, Prefect of Health and Wellness, Grade 12, the Committee encourages students to advocate for their peers and share common well-being experiences. Participation is voluntary and open to all Senior School students.
This year, the Committee organized February’ s Wellness Week, which focused on vulnerability and authenticity.“ We don’ t want students to think the only time to be vulnerable is when they face a big challenge, but being more vulnerable on a day-today basis about the small things— maybe communicating with a teacher if something feels overwhelming or confusing, or opening up to your friend,” Amy said.
Activities included a mental health conversion in assembly with Ms Harrop, Head of School, an improv wellness workshop, a nap lounge, Chai & Chat sessions with counsellors, a gratitude station, a sports and mental health discussion, and a student-staff roundtable. These events highlighted counselling services, reduced wellness stigma, and encouraged students to prioritize their well-being.
Feedback from the Committee and student surveys has also indicated that students value experience-based wellness learning. This has led to changes in Advisory programming, such as a mindfulness through music program offered in the fall!
SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER
The student-led Peer Supporter program, first ideated by previous Health and Wellness Prefect and mental health advocate Jill and launched in 2023 – 2024, continued to grow in 2024 – 2025. Through the program, Grade 11 and 12 students trained as Peer Supporters offer support for common student challenges and experiences, giving students the option to seek help from either counsellors or their peers.
“ Peer Supporters contribute to student agency, both for the student seeking peer support and for the student trained to support others,” Ms Hoang, Counsellor, Senior School, and Peer Supporter Teacher Sponsor, said.
Besides one-on-one support, Peer Supporters joined EATH sessions as co-presenters, spoke at assemblies and helped orient new students to Student Services.“ Peer Supporters is great for inter-grade bonding— getting the sense of what the future is like— and building a greater community,” Hennessy, Grade 12 and Peer Supporter, said.
Counsellors and Ms Kimmel trained Peer Supporters on active listening, asking open-ended questions, peer mediation and other pro-social skills.“ Having gone through the mental and emotional health literacy pieces, we learned how to approach questions, active listening, mirroring techniques with body language,” Hennessy explained.
Peer Supporters have also been trained to refer students to the CHS Student Services team if the conversation goes beyond their scope or what they are comfortable discussing.“ There is that added layer of safety and support for the Peer Supporters themselves, as Student Services staff are always available to support or to refer to, and they can also lean on one another’ s knowledge and training,” Ms Hoang said.
For Hennessy, the most rewarding aspect is seeing the responses of other students in those one-on-one connections.“ It’ s being that person who is there for them— an outside perspective there to listen.”
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