Wellbeing Conference: Rethinking Challenges – A Recipe for Growth

The conference supported students in building the personal and interpersonal skills needed to navigate challenges, strengthen wellbeing, and grow as confident learners and leaders.

We provided younger students with an opportunity to engage in an inspiring half-day program designed by students, for students. Students enjoyed exploring practical wellbeing strategies.

It was a fantastic event that started with networking between students from both Knox and Ravenswood School for Girls, followed by group drumming in the auditorium, and engaging talks from guest speakers David Bott (Director of the Wellbeing Distillery) and Matthew Johnstone (Founder of Drawn from Experience). Students were asked to contribute topics on what young people are going through today, and visualise via drawing how they would talk to their seven-year-old self about growing up and the challenges faced along the way.

"The conference was a fun and interactive experience. We were able to exercise our leadership skills and teach valuable lessons to the Year 7s,” reflected Heliang (Year 9). “We learned the importance of communication, collaboration and positive thinking. This was through the drumming primer and the keynote speakers, who made me rethink the way that I approach challenges.

"During the student-led workshops, I was able to lead engaging activities and guide Year 7s. I guided them on understanding how a growth- and positive-mindset can help tackle issues. I helped them apply this into challenges they might face. They developed these skills and implemented them into the activities, with support from the peer leaders. It was great to witness the growth that they exhibited.

"The conference was a fun and educational opportunity, and has helped me and the Year 7 students to rethink our challenges."