Team Bonding Event: A Day of Happiness and Appreciation
On July 11th, staff and students at Notre Dame gathered for their annual Retreat and Wellbeing Day. The theme for this year was 'joy and gratitude', and the day was filled with activities designed to help everyone experience at least a little spark of joy.
The day kicked off with a dance class led by Sophie Simpson from SSD Dance and Wellbeing. Staff were encouraged to let loose and enjoy the music, and a variety of students responded, representing different faiths and none.
Following the dance class, staff enjoyed a shared lunch. The menu offered a range of options to cater to everyone's dietary needs, and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.
One of the key activities of the day was the 'Three Good Things' exercise, a gratitude exercise that has been shown to improve overall mood and life satisfaction. Staff participated in the activity, writing down three good things that had happened to them that day and reflecting on their causes.
The Examen exercise, led by Maria Coyle, provided an opportunity for quiet reflection and introspection. A short liturgy was led by Lay Chaplain, Agnes Colantuoni.
The Principal, Justine Barlow, encouraged students to write a prayer or reflect on what brings them joy. The chaplaincy group selected the theme, which reflects key virtues of St Julie Billiart, the college's founder.
Throughout the day, staff and students had choices for wellbeing activities such as touch rugby, bootcamp, creative writing, home fermentation, line dancing, wellbeing planting, a FIFA tournament, a walk through Hyde Park, and a gel nail activity.
Justine Barlow stated that the retreat provides staff with the opportunity to reflect on things they are grateful for and what brings them joy. Some responses from students were meaningful to the staff and were shared during the retreat.
One student expressed that joy is friends and family, while another expressed gratitude for God's faithfulness and peace in their life. Sophie Simpson expressed her support for the retreat concept and shared a positive experience from the event.
The day ended with a Notre Dame quiz led by Steve Johnston, Head of Digital. The quiz was a fun and engaging way to wrap up the day, and everyone left feeling uplifted and refreshed.
Overall, the Retreat and Wellbeing Day was a success, and it provided staff and students with an opportunity to reflect on and discuss what brings them joy and what they are grateful for. The theme of joy and gratitude was a fitting reminder to focus on the positive aspects of life and to cultivate gratitude and optimism.
- The 'Three Good Things' exercise, incorporating elements of mental health and wellness, aimed to boost the mood and life satisfaction of the participating staff members.
- The Retreat and Wellbeing Day, focusing on education and self-development, offered a diverse range of activities for personal growth, including touch rugby, bootcamp, creative writing, line dancing, and a gel nail activity.
- The Principal's encouragement for students to write a prayer or reflect on what brings them joy, linked to health and wellness and personal growth, was meaningful as some responses resonated with the staff and were shared during the retreat.
