Caulfield Grammar devotes one day a week to wellbeing

This Melbourne boarding school devoted every remote-learning Wednesday to non-academic pursuits, from crafting and trivia to cultural tea ceremonies, to maintain student wellbeing.

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STUDENT wellbeing has always been at the heart of Caulfield Grammar School’s boarding house.

This was especially true as the school supported its community during the COVID-19 remote-learning period, and as students returned to campus.

With schools across Australia forced to move from campuses and classrooms to loungerooms and laptops, Caulfield Grammar was proud to offer something unique: Wednesdays spent on broad and balanced experiences — a key feature of its remote learning and wellbeing plan.

“We put a focus on taking care of one another with activities centred on self-care, care for their community, or care for others. Wednesdays were focused on mind, body, community and connection, with students given agency to choose how they would focus their time. The aim was to ensure that student learning remained purposeful, balanced and impactful while away from the classroom,” Caulfield Grammar School’s head of boarding Tim Gallop said.

Wednesday offerings included virtual fitness classes, crafting activities, German trivia and traditional tea ceremonies streamed live from the school’s Nanjing campus in China. For boarders, who were used to a close-knit community, the programs proved invaluable.

“We have an incredibly strong and connected community, based on our core values of thriving together and living wholeheartedly,” Mr Gallop said. “We guided students on taking responsibility for their own personal wellbeing, provided programs to facilitate self-care during times of stress, and encouraged them to seek ways that they can support the wellbeing of others.”

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Students and teachers were excited to return to on-campus learning in late May, with new protocols in place in the boarding house on the school’s Caulfield campus.

“We continue to take a staggered approach to returning students to our boarding house as we flexibly adjust to evolving Victorian government restrictions,” Mr Gallop said.

“Years 8-10 students resumed on-campus learning as day students, remaining in personal accommodation with either family and friends, billeted by school community families, or in homestay arrangements before they transition back to boarding house living.

“We continue our staggered approach into term 3, with student and staff safety our highest priority.”

Caulfield Grammar School has made significant changes to keep students safe, including enhanced cleaning, restricting access to some facilities, increased staffing levels and daily health checks for all boarders.