Making Safe and Responsible Choices: Pillar 5 of Our Wellbeing Program

At CDL, our commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy environment for our students extends through our comprehensive wellbeing program. This month, we’re focusing on Pillar 5: “Making Safe and Responsible Choices.” This pillar is crucial as it encourages our students to cultivate resilience and sound decision-making skills, especially when faced with challenging circumstances.

The two take away points we will be focusing on are;

Understanding How Peer Pressure Can Affect Our Decisions

Peer pressure is a powerful force, particularly during school years. It can influence various aspects of our lives, from the clothes we wear to the choices we make. Understanding this influence is the first step toward making safe and responsible decisions.

It’s important for our students to recognise that peer pressure can manifest in both positive and negative ways. Positive peer pressure includes being encouraged by friends to study or participate in healthy activities. However, negative peer pressure can lead to risky behaviours or decisions that don’t align with personal values or the school’s standards.

How Can I Help Myself and Others When Making a Tough Decision?

Making tough decisions is a part of life, but you don’t have to face them alone. Helping oneself and others through difficult choices is about creating a supportive network and developing critical thinking skills.

An example is the STOP, THINK, ACT model:

• STOP: Pause for a moment. Do not rush into a decision.
• THINK: Consider the consequences and reflect on your values and the impact of your choice.
• ACT: Make a decision that you feel is right, after thoughtful consideration.

We also emphasise the importance of seeking advice. Students are encouraged to talk to trusted adults, such as us, teachers and school counsellors, or even peers who they believe have good judgment. By fostering an open environment, we make it easier for students to seek help and advice without fear of judgment.

This Pillar is being led by Mr Manu, supported by a team of students in which Jamil is representing Olympus.

We are delighted to welcome back the Olympus boys from their well-deserved holidays, and we hope they return refreshed and filled with joyful memories. As we look forward to the remainder of the school year, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We wholeheartedly wish the boys every success as they embark on the final stretch of their academic journey this year. Let’s make it a remarkable and productive end to the school year together!

As the sun lingers longer in the sky and a hint of warmth teases the breeze, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new season. It’s time to wave goodbye to the chill of winter and welcome the lively essence of spring with open arms. To our Olympus boys, we send our deepest wishes for an extraordinary and revitalizing spring break!

The recent months have been remarkable, brimming with memorable moments and impressive accomplishments. From thrilling weekends in the mountains to mesmerizing performances on stage, our boarding family has truly embodied the essence of adventure, creativity, and togetherness.

May you all have an incredible spring break!

On Wednesday we had the next instalment of our House Competitions. Olympus performed in the talent show and did an acapella version of In the Jungle. We were very proud to have placed in 8th position.

The students are back from their holidays and have shared with us their wonderful stories from home and their travels.

We also had a group of students visiting Rovaniemi in Finland. The group embarked on a captivating journey through Rovaniemi, beginning with a visit to the enchanting Santa Claus Village inside the Arctic Circle. Their adventures also led them to natural ice skating and a playful snow park, enhancing their experience with the charm of Arctic winter activities. The highlight was a breathtaking dog sledging adventure across a frozen lake, led by enthusiastic Alaskan and Siberian huskies, followed by a warming session in a traditional teepee. Additionally, an educational visit to the Ranua Arctic Wildlife Park offered a glimpse into the lives of Arctic animals, including the polar bear, enriching their understanding of Arctic biodiversity. The trip concluded with a snowshoe walking adventure through a pristine forest, providing a delightful end to their Arctic exploration, filled with laughter and unforgettable memories.

@thatboardingvibe How do we define what a Global Citizen is? #thatboardingvibe #globalcitizen #worldview #boardinglife #cdl ♬ Emotional – Bang Nono

In our ongoing effort to cultivate a nurturing and inclusive environment, Week 3 of Pillar 3 was dedicated to exploring the complexities and joys of international friendships. These friendships, rich in diversity, open our eyes to new cultures, traditions, and perspectives, contributing immensely to our school’s vibrant community. However, with this diversity comes the responsibility of navigating cultural differences sensitively.

Addressing Microaggressions

Despite the best intentions, cultural misunderstandings can lead to microaggressions – subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination or insults towards marginalised groups. These can stem from ingrained stereotypes or simply a lack of awareness. Recognising and addressing these microaggressions is crucial for maintaining the integrity and health of international friendships.

Nikolai and Andre gave brilliant definitions of Microaggression and some examples of how we may be guilty of this in our interactions with each other without ill intent.

To deepen understanding and self-awareness, students completed a questionnaire, with the central question being, “What microaggressions have you personally dealt with or witnessed?” This exercise encouraged our boys to reflect on their experiences, share them with their peers, and contribute to a more empathetic and inclusive environment.

Continuing our journey on Pillar 3, this week we looked into what makes a good friend.

In our journey through life, the friends we make are not just companions, but mirrors reflecting our own selves. But what exactly makes a good friend? What traits do we seek in these important people who walk alongside us in our lives? To delve deeper into this question, we conducted an exercise focusing on the key qualities people value in friendships.

We played a game with the students for them to identify what quality they felt their friends had – and to stick it on them!

The top qualities were brotherhood, loyalty, trust, honour, company, help, and honesty, each embodying a critical aspect of what it means to be a good friend.

We continue on the path of our Wellbeing Programme and now begin Pillar 3: Building Positive Friendships.

Undoubtedly, friendships stand as a cornerstone of the Boarding Experience, profoundly influencing and enriching a student’s daily life. In this Pillar, we are dedicated to guiding students in appreciating the value of these relationships, emphasising the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. Adolescents frequently face the challenges of peer pressure, which can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. It’s a crucial life skill to discern whether these friendships are exerting the right kind of influence and contributing positively to their personal growth.

A Friend

By Gillian Jones

A person who listens and not condemn

Someone on whom you can depend

They will not flee when bad times are here

Instead, they will be there to lend an ear

They will think of ways to make you smile

So you can be happy for a while

When times are good and happy thereafter

They will be there to share the laughter

Do not forget your friends at all

For they pick you up when you fall

Do not expect to just take and hold

Give friendship back, it is pure gold.