Torch - 2021 Edition

Feature Story

For example, something like an immunization program is done in

athletics and co-curricular involvement. “That aspect of school life is so important for wellbeing and helping to establish a community that supports one another,” she says. “Being on a team or a part of a club is unique within a school and key to building a community. A feeling of belonging is important.”

adequate knowledge and education to manage their own mental health.” She notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has especially highlighted the need to take care of our stresses and anxieties. “Mental health and the peer aspect have been a very large part of our response,” she says. “Normalizing that those feelings and emotions are very prevalent—and are present across our community and throughout the world— as we are all adapting and learning about life during this pandemic.”

partnership with Toronto Public Health. McRae says that while part of her role is to give the vaccine, there’s more to it than simply administering the injection. “Things like helping our students understand what these vaccines are. Teaching them that they actually need to keep a record of this, because it will help them for the rest of their lives. If they’re pursuing post-secondary fields such as medicine or child services, they will need to present those vaccine records later on and provide proof that they’ve had them. Being able to understand and provide history about your personal health is equally as important to us as just giving the one-off, episodic service.” Beyond standard health services, McRae is quick to highlight the importance of physical activity as an important aspect of student health within the school. While it might not look the same this school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s still a large focus on

Emotional Wellbeing

Just as important as the physical—and perhaps even more so this year—is the emotional health of students. McRae says her team supports sleep, nutrition and basic life skills so that students learn to make decisions that will benefit them physically, emotionally and socially moving forward. “We work with our School Social Worker, as well as our Boarding population, to make sure that students have the

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Another new initiative in the school’s programming for the 2020–21 school year is a K–12 approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Following the murder of George Floyd, as well as some student forums, it was clear there was an opportunity for growth in this area.

On display are examples of Junior School self-portraits, which students created during Wellbeing Time to help them explore their identities and build self-esteem.

18 HAVERGAL COLLEGE