Wellbeing took centre stage at Echuca College on Friday as students gathered for a day of activities and conversations inspired by R U OK? Day.
In the lead-up to the event, the student services team worked with the students to create a day filled with activities the students wanted to see.
Before the activities kicked off, students reflected on the meaning of R U OK? Day and its importance.
Student services staff member Dorinda Watson said they wanted to encourage students to check in with one another regularly, not just on R U OK? Day.
“We’re trying to teach them it can’t be a one-off check-in with your mates,” she said.
“It’s got to be a consistent thing, and we also have to be, as the adults in the room, consistently checking that they’re all right.
“With a lot of them, adults and kids, if mentally you’re not feeling it, nothing else is going to be working for you. We can be sitting here trying to teach them or the teachers are trying to teach them, but if things aren’t right for them, they’re never going to retain it.”
The Wellbeing Day ran throughout the whole day and spanned the school campus.
Students started the day with magician Matt Hollywood, who kept the students entertained with his magic tricks.
After Mr Hollywood’s session, students attended an ‘On the Couch’ session with guests from local organisations.
Guests included Koorie engagement officer Luke Egan, The Average Athlete Jye Warren, Jack Evans from Boys to the Bush, Echuca police Leading Senior Constable Shane Roberts and Jayden Howe from Headspace.
Students from Year 8 and Year 10 led the sessions, asking the speakers questions about their work and life experiences.
From lunchtime, students were able to move freely around the school campus to enjoy a range of activities including laser tag, a mechanical bull, zorb soccer, a gaming truck and a chair-o-plane ride.
The dunk tank was especially popular, with students taking the chance to try to dunk their teachers.
Njernda was also present on the day to run the barbecue, and the Centre for Non Violence took part in a collaborative art project.
Instead of a colour fun run this year, students gathered in the school stadium to enjoy a talent quest to finish the day.
Ms Watson said as the last term of school neared, staff hoped the day would boost the students’ energy.
“We hope coming into term four, when everyone’s super tired, that this kind of pushes them through,” she said.
“This is fun ... (it) just gives you the chance to get to know the kids on that deeper level.”