March 11, 2024Strategic Plan Pillar: Wellness, Balance, Breadth: What Does It Mean?

“Wellness, Balance, Breadth" isn’t just a phrase we repeat as a lofty ideal that we hope will resonate with our students and help guide them. These are words that shape our focus as we plan our programs and make decisions about where to invest our time, energy and financial resources.

Recently I asked a few high school students what “Wellness, Balance, Breadth” meant to them and I received an interesting variety of responses. “Being healthy” and “being balanced in your life” or “not being stressed” were common themes from most of the students. When I pushed said students for greater detail in their responses or more specifics to help me understand their interpretations, many students spoke about things such as Horizons Trips where cabin time with peers has become a treasured memory; or Outdoor Ed trips where a challenging hike was rewarded by an inspiring view; or clubs and teams where peers bonded together for a common goal. Their answers showed more variety as I asked for more specifics, but all included the same vein of thinking that the breadth of offerings was part of what created an environment of balance and wellness. This evoked a sense of curiosity about how do students know what we mean when we talk about wellness, balance and breadth? I think they know what we mean because they live it through the programming we create for them. We have created a school and community where we embrace rigorous academics in the acquisition of knowledge, and we provide athletic programs that offer challenge and appreciation for resilience in physical feats. We also teach and model an appreciation of the arts in all their forms, and demonstrate a deep respect and acknowledgment of the power of spending time outdoors. And then, of course, we sprinkle in regular collaborative events such as Gryphons' Days, bowling nights, school dances, and grade events that are created simply to spark fun and laughter which is an essential part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

If you ask an Aberdeen Hall student what it is that they appreciate the most about their school experience, the answers will vary. Some will talk about their music class, some will talk about the Outdoor Ed trips, some will talk about their supportive teachers, or the rugby team. There will be a great variety of answers due to the breadth of our programming that allows all students to find areas that inspire them, challenge them, motivate them, and shape them into an individual who will ultimately learn how important it is to establish balance in one’s life. One of the greatest lessons that young people can learn is that balance isn’t about teetering along on a tightrope, juggling all your responsibilities and interests as you sway across, whilst trying to remain upright. No, it’s about knowing yourself, maintaining boundaries, making good choices, and enjoying all of the aspects of life that bring you joy. And for a high school student that  might mean AP English and Computer Science and playing basketball. Or Theatre Company and Calculus and being a Student Council leader. Or maybe it’s pursuing the Duke of Edinburgh award and competing in provincial and national math competitions. Or for some, it just might be finding a way to go on every outdoor education trip that is offered (and who can blame them! Those trips are a place where challenge and fun coalesce amidst stunning scenery and amongst like-minded peers. Outdoor Ed trips are all about wellness). Adolescence is a time to get to know yourself. Developmentally, adolescents are stepping away from the adults in their lives and looking to figure out who they are, what they stand for, and who they want to be as they step into the world as young adults. Some students know exactly what they want for their future selves, but most don’t. And that’s ok – because we’re here to help them figure it out.

Helping them realize that they can do it all, with intentional choices in a healthy, balanced manner is empowering. So, when we talk about Wellness, Balance, Breadth we’re talking about comprehensive programming and holistic education. In simple terms: healthy bodies, minds, and hearts – which is the essence of what we want for all the young people under our care.