Student-led Wellbeing Conference Hosted by Ravenswood and Knox Grammar

A number of our students participated in this year’s Ravenswood and Knox Grammar’s student-led wellbeing conference. The conference included keynote addresses from Mr Matt Cogin and Dr Kristy Goodwin, as well as four workshops. Year 11’s Luella writes about the conference below.

As a student, I feel the term “wellbeing” has become somewhat redundant. We often discount it for the sake of our studies, social lives, families, co-curriculars and our day-to day lives. We may believe what does not benefit or contribute to our future holds secondary importance.  

The Knox-Ravenswood Student-led Wellbeing Conference enabled a group of eight Year 11 students to examine the student-wellbeing phenomenon in a new light. Its impact was significant.

What really set the workshops and lectures apart, was the level of pragmatism the issue was approached with. Though the examination of wellbeing is an inherently empathetic experience, detailed conversations throughout the day provided different perspectives and further aided our overall understanding. There is no doubt that this student-run event impacted us all greatly. 

There were four workshops, of which we each attended two. They ranged from a step-by-step guide in developing positive relationships and finding meaning and purpose, to emotional management and the importance of habits and goals. The student leaders exhibited remarkable leadership skills, engaging us so we actually wanted to listen. We each genuinely respected the young people in front of us, who we could tell truly cared about wellbeing education.

We realised that positive wellbeing was the key to all aspects of our lives. Models discussed had a focus on holistic and positive education. Wellbeing does not need to be last on our list of priorities, because it is intertwined in all aspects of adolescent life, both in and out of school. It can mean many different things to any one person, but it is necessary for any form of success, academic or not and can be effectively implemented in everyday life.

As a student-led event, we were provided with new perspectives on current issues impacting students. Key note speakers, Mr Matt Cogin and Dr Kristy Goodwin, discussed the topics of: the doors of opportunity in becoming an agent of change and optimising your digital life.These topics examined the power of  “yet” as a word to change perspective (I can’t do this yet) and understanding the impacts of technology on our attention span.

We were given suggestions on how best to enhance our wellbeing, and, in speaking to my fellow attendees, we shared an excitement to impart our findings throughout the school community. It was an incredible experience, which we feel can have a genuine impact on school life and, if done effectively, help all SCEGGS students understand that their wellbeing is key, particularly in our formative years.

A shout out to Ms Satchell who supported us on the day and in the lead up to this event.

We are excited to see what the next step may be…

Luella Smith
Year 11