Last week Orange High School hosted a ‘Wellbeing Day’ for the entire school community and it was, to say the least, quite spectacular. They had everything from a mechanical bull ride, a rock-climbing wall, dodgem cars and the hurricane through to movies, yoga, meditation and live music!

Although the day was all about having fun, it was also about emphasising the importance of wellbeing for both students and teachers alike.

Principal, Chad Bliss explained, “Our Wellbeing Day was a culmination of a 12-month strategy where we’ve been focusing on strong wellbeing initiatives and practices for our students.

We know that students that have strong mental health and mental wellbeing are more likely to succeed at school and take up opportunities post school. We’ve had a really strategic focus for a number of years now on strong wellbeing practices.”

Once students were told about the event, some weeks before, there was said to be a total buzz around the school.

“It was a great fun day out for both staff and students, for them to interact, have some fun, talk to some mental health and wellbeing providers and really focus on enjoying themselves prior to the school holidays. Over 1000 were in attendance and every one of them was engaged and having fun, that’s what it’s all about for us.”

The event also doubled as a fundraiser to support some of the rural communities who are doing it tough during the drought, including Trundle Central School.

Mr Bliss continued, “Our students have really donated well to a cause that affects many of them, we know the difficulties kids are going through out in the bush, in rural and far Western NSW.”

The event would also see off their 2019 Year 12 students- in style might we add!

“What we are really hoping is that they enjoyed the day, that they understand that being positive and happy at school has long lasting effects. We couldn’t think of a better way, it hasn’t been done, certainly in Orange before, and it’s a huge success, we couldn’t be prouder.”