Here to Help
What is Wellness?
Wellness is anything and everything from sleeping, eating healthily, and exercise, all the way to mental health, anti-bullying, and gender and sexuality. Overall, wellness is one's physical and mental health combined into a single word.
Who Are We?
Wellness council is a group of students in grades 9-12 (8s are welcome!), lead by Ms. Lee. We meet every Friday at lunch. At these meetings, we propose, discuss, and develop possible upcoming wellness events for the students at WPGA. This is an open council so ALL are welcome!
What is Our Goal?
Our primary goal as a council is to promote and educate students on the importance of self-care. This group also embodies the concept of "students helping students." Essentially, we hope to create meaningful and lasting connections both across and within grades, and help others do the same.
What Have We Done So Far?
Ongoing Projects
Yoga & Meditation Club Mornings
First meeting is Monday, October 15th! It will be every Monday morning from 7:15-8am. If it is a nice day, we will be on the basketball court. If it is not good weather, we will meet in the study. With both a mix of meditation, yoga, and a daily reading, the goal of this practice is to enhance one's well-being and personal awareness. Bring yoga mats if you have them, but if not, we will have extras! Ms. Green and Tess B look forward to seeing you there!
Eede - WPGA's Therapy Dog Program
Students may have noticed a new member of the wolf pack who started coming in last
school year. Her name is Eede, and she is in fact closer to being in the wolf pack than one
may think; partly because she is in fact a dog! Eede, Mr. Pike's family dog, is a certified therapy
dog who comes to school every few days or so. If you have a minute and are having a really
stressful day, or you just need some mellow company, feel free to visit Eede; after all, that's why she is there!
school year. Her name is Eede, and she is in fact closer to being in the wolf pack than one
may think; partly because she is in fact a dog! Eede, Mr. Pike's family dog, is a certified therapy
dog who comes to school every few days or so. If you have a minute and are having a really
stressful day, or you just need some mellow company, feel free to visit Eede; after all, that's why she is there!
Bathroom Care Basket
In the women's inclusive washroom on the main floor, there is a basket filled with personal care items (spray deodorant, hand lotion, feminine hygiene products, hair ties, etc.) If the basket is ever running low on supplies, please let us know by filling out the form which can be found by clicking on this tab so we can keep it updated!
Portfolio of Past Projects
Wellness Week: February 26th-March 1st 2019!
- Inside Out Movie
- Pink Shirt Day
- Hershey's Kiss Morning
- Button Making
- Music Appreciation
- Yoga Morning
- Pink Shirt Day
- Hershey's Kiss Morning
- Button Making
- Music Appreciation
- Yoga Morning
November 2018 was "Art for Wellness" Month!
"Out in School" Presentation (2018-2019 School Year)
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"Live Different" Talk (2018-2019 School Year)
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BC Mental Health Awareness Week (2018-19 School Year)
Exam Awareness Posters (2017-18 School Year)
Starting in mid-May, Wellness Council members created and posted a number of wellness posters around the school. The main focus was for them to act as reminders that no matter what happens with exams, if you work your hardest you should be proud. Truly, that is what matters most. Wellness Council hopes to make this an annual initiative as although it is small, even glancing at the posters can remind students that they are not alone with their stress and anxiety around exams. Please remember that if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious with exams, the school counsellors are here to support you and are a great resource. Their contact information can be found on our resource page which you can get to by clicking the tab at the top or by clicking here.
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Wellness Week (2017-18 School Year)
This is the first time WPGA's Wellness Council has run a Wellness Week, and we are so happy to say that it was a success! Students had the opportunity to go to different wellness-oriented activities every day of the week, ranging from cupcake decorating to yoga classes. We hope to bring this initiative back next year! Thank you to all students who participated and to those who kept their wellness passports, got them stamped, and handed them in for the prize draw. If you have any feedback or suggestions so we can improve Wellness Week next year (2019), please leave a comment on the contact us!
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Grade 8 Wellness Summit (2017-18 School Year)
In the fall, Wellness Council hosted a wellness summit for all grade 8 students. We had two different speakers come in and discuss issues including bullying and mindfullness. It was an amazing success! As well, we paired this summit with Adam's Apples, a foundation that WPGA works closely with. In support of this foundation, we handed out apples and apple juice. We thank all grade 8s for their participation and look forward to hopefully doing something similar in the years to come. Coming into the high school is undoubtedly a difficult undertaking, as for the different rotating schedule, as well as coming into a brand new environment. For grade 8s reading this, just remember that every person you pass in the halls of older grades has been through the exact same thing, so if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to, we are here to help you!
Grade 10 Balancing Our Mind's Summit (2016-17 School Year)
WPGA's Wellness Council hosted a Balancing Our Minds Symposium at UBC for the first time; and it was a huge success! It was a day filled with mindfulness, meditation, and mental health awareness; all things that Wellness Council represents. Students learned about anxiety and how best to manage stress, all while participating in hands on activities, including practicing different techniques of meditation. We would like to thank Dr. Greenway and Natasha Flores-Makon ('17) for their informative and inspirational speeches, as well as last year's Grade 10s for their participation in this event!