By Olivia Robinson

Published May 15 2018

Students at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School were exploring new ways to promote health and wellbeing through physical creative and musical activities at HHSS’s inaugural Wellness Week.

Wellness Week ran in conjunction with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week which was promoted on social media by using the hashtag #GetLoud.

HHSS students were asked about what kinds of events they wanted run during lunchtime at their school.

Different student groups helped to plan certain activities such as the senior art class who spearheaded a mural painting.

David Waito vice-principal at HHSS said the school plans to hang the colourful mural – and the positive messages of encouragement painted on it – in the lobby.

Waito said Wellness Week fell at a perfect point in the semester.

“Graduation can be an exciting time but it can also be very stressful for some students with exams.”
Other Wellness Week activities included outdoor basketball sidewalk chalking therapeutic touch a movie viewing in the cafeteria and a musical coffee house to round out the week.

A capture the flag event was postponed to the following week due to rainy weather.

Waito hopes that this year’s Wellness Week programming will continue to spark new ideas for the students for next year’s edition.
“It’s all about having positive options. It’s been really neat to see them plan this on their own and get a chance to show their leadership.”