From the Leader of Wellbeing

The Importance of Creating a ‘Third Space’ in our Young People’s Lives…

As we continue with remote learning six weeks into Term 3, the impact of how we interact with our peers, teachers and families has continued to evolve and, at times, be challenged. The ‘first place’ is understood to be one’s private space at home. The ‘second place’ is where people spend significant time, often formally such as schools, universities and workplaces. The ‘third place’ includes the instinctive human behaviour of interaction through social and emotional connection.

Researchers at the Cities Research Institute believe that these ‘third places’ can reduce feelings of disconnection and loneliness. This ‘third place’ concept is used by town planners, architects and psychologists alike, who all recognise how much humans thrive when we have a sense of belonging outside of the home. “In the absence of this belonging and connecting, we miss out on so much of what it means to be human; especially a happy human,” says Dr Timothy Sharp, Chief Happiness Officer at The Happiness Institute.

Individual health and wellbeing is obviously important, but real happiness comes mostly from positive meaningful relationships and belonging.”

Our Wednesday Community Time program and morning Tutor Group sessions have provided many opportunities throughout the term for students to engage with their peers in Year and House group activities, as we recognise the importance of building meaningful connections and establishing solid relationships as a College community. These activity-based initiatives have certainly supported the need to connect our students with one another, even through the Zoom platform.

With the emerging evidence suggesting that adolescent mental health has been negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, our intention and commitment are to ensure that every students’ wellbeing is cared for and supported through the various opportunities of connection.

Defining the Three Spaces During Remote Learning

If students are starting to feel as though each day is blurring into one, here are a few practical ways of supporting this ‘third place’ concept from home, by trying to separate school, family and leisure activities. Given that we are unsure of the exact length of time that we will remain in these remote learning circumstances, these suggestions could be useful as a way of aesthetically and psychologically drawing a distinction between all three spaces.

These could include:

• Using a different room for different purposes – have a ‘work/school space’, a ‘family space’ and maybe a ‘chill space’.
• Try to make a few small changes to the way furniture is organised in the bedroom, so that different parts of a room might be used for different activities – this can still make a positive difference.
• If your dining table is currently doubling as a home office and school zone, an end-of-day pack-up can help you transition. This helps to establish the mindset that the day is finished.
• Make an effort to clear the desk of all the learning reminders/books/stationery at a certain time each night – the day is DONE!
• Make an effort to only do and talk about non-work and non-school topics in the evening.
• Be sure to keep moving and be active each day. Finish the day with an outdoor activity!

Parent Support FOR Managing Exam Stress

The Parents Survival Guide (The Resilience Centre): An inspiring webinar with practical strategies to help parents support their child during examination periods. What can you do to help manage rising anxiety?

Date: 1 September – hurry places are limited!

We Are Here To Help

If you have any concerns or questions, please be sure to keep connecting with the College. Early intervention is key! As a starting point, communicate with your daughter’s Tutor when they call next week during their wellbeing check-in. This is a wonderful opportunity to continue to build connections as they play a pivotal role in your daughter’s pastoral journey. Alternatively, the House Coordinator and myself are also here to support in any way we can.

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #6 & #8