Student Life at Westminster

List of 8 items.

• Wellness Programs

  Our highest priority at Westminster School is students’ health, safety, and well-being. We recognize that a student’s overall success is tied to not just what they learn in the classroom, but also how they feel emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Our programming is designed to foster inclusivity, learning, and overall well-being. 

  
  The Wellness program provides an intentional curriculum for students to learn about a variety of topics that involve their personal wellness, social and emotional well-being and their overall character development. The multifaceted curriculum is coordinated by a team that includes the Associate Head of School, Director of Health Services, Dean of Residential Life, Dean of Students, Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Director of Mental Health Services and Director of Athletics.

• Training

  Faculty, staff, and students all participate in a variety of training annually, including supplemental training for student leaders. 

  
  

  All of our faculty and staff who work with our students receive on-going professional development and training in various areas of health and wellness education, including, CPR, Mental Health First Aid including QPR-question, persuade, refer- suicide prevention training, boundary training on adult-student relationships and support for students with respect to their gender identity or expression, among others. 

• Third Form Wellness

  All Third Formers are required to take a wellness class. An evidence based curriculum serves as the foundation of this discussion based class where students address important developmental issues including, healthy relationships, conflict resolution, identity and bullying, digital citizenship, and empathy building.

• Fourth Form: Civic Engagement Courses and Sexual Health and Development

  A selection of Fourth Form seminar courses help Westminster students learn to engage in meaningful dialogue and to better understand who they are and for what they stand. Students also study both the compositional elements of speech writing and the rhetorical devices that make for effective delivery.

• All School Wellness Programs

  A variety of speakers and topics are presented to the community to foster healthy living. Following these presentations, students attend a student learning group (SLG) and have continued small group discussions with a trained student facilitator and their advisor. 

  
  

  Recognizing a rapidly changing landscape in adolescent development, guest presenters are relevant to the current issues our students face. Past topics have included:

  • Substance Use prevention
  • Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention
  • Healthy Relationships, Consent, and Dating Violence
  • Gender and Sexuality Awareness

• Peer Leaders and Student Learning Groups

  Peer Leaders are a team of Fifth and Sixth Form students who receive specialized leadership training in facilitation skills, basic mental health support, and fostering a healthy community culture. Peer Leaders, with faculty support,facilitate and lead workshops and discussions on a range of topics, including empathy, active listening, social justice, decision making, and more. The mission of the Peer Leadership Program is “peers supporting peers” around building agency, communication skills, conflict resolution, and working in partnership with the adults in the community. Peer Leaders are guided by the Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in collaboration with the Dean of Residential Life, and the Director of Mental Health Services.

  
  

  This group receives ongoing training throughout the school year, starting with a mandatory, fun-filled training session just before all students arrive on campus.

  
  Student Learning Groups, led by Faculty Advisors and Peer Leaders, consist of students from two different advisory groups. These groups meet after all-school programs to debrief the content. Peer Leaders will help students reflect on their values and ideas while developing their own skills in empathetic listening, communication, and peer engagement, all of which contribute to a healthy learning environment.

• Community Conversations

  Community Conversations provide opportunities for the entire community to engage in structured discussions on topics that impact members of the community.

• Wellness Day

  Once a year, in lieu of classes, students participate in a variety of self care, stress reducing,  and community building activities. Over 30 activities are offered to students including hiking, kickboxing, meditation, yoga,art projects, pet therapy, baking, music and karaoke to name a few. One of the most appreciated days of the year, students have the opportunity to learn new skills and activities that will support their overall wellness.