Brighton Grammar boys engage in daily mindfulness and wellness training

 

BOYS as young as three are engaged in daily mindfulness and wellness training at Brighton Grammar.

A few times each day the boys stop classes and take some time to meditate, do yoga or listen to music.

“For preps it might mean lying on the floor with soft music playing so they can focus their mind and slow down,” headmaster Ross Featherston said.

Brighton Grammar Preps Caleb Arceri, Barnaby Heath and Thomas Black practise yoga as part of the school’s wellness program. Picture: Hamish Blair
Brighton Grammar Preps Caleb Arceri, Barnaby Heath and Thomas Black practise yoga as part of the school’s wellness program. Picture: Hamish Blair

It’s all part of a school-wide program designed to focus on the boys’ mental health and overall wellbeing.

“I am a big believer in habits starting young, so that when they’re older it becomes part of their daily practice,” Mr Featherston said.

“Boys face many challenges and it is essential we equip them with the tools to deal with these challenges as they arise rather than after the event”.

Brighton Grammar Preps Caleb Arceri, Barnaby Heath and Thomas Black practise yoga as part of the school’s wellness program. Picture: Hamish Blair
Brighton Grammar Preps Caleb Arceri, Barnaby Heath and Thomas Black practise yoga as part of the school’s wellness program. Picture: Hamish Blair

Staff at the school have all received extensive training in mindfulness practice and positive psychology. Even mums and dads are now being offered positive parenting courses through the school.

The approach is being mirrored at many private and public schools around the state.

Government secondary colleges such as Epping, Parkdale and Brentwood all have wellbeing staff and teams. And many private schools, such as Geelong Grammar and Brighton Grammar, also have dedicated Wellness or Wellbeing Centres.

This story originally appeared here