It’s been another busy week at SJS, here are some of the key events that students have enjoyed this week.
Youth Resiliency Project Visit SJS to Spread Message of Self-Compassion and Empathy
SJS welcomed guest speakers Brie Mathers and Nick Cholmsky from the nonprofit Youth Resiliency Project to present to our Grades 4–12 students this week. Students united in learning, sharing and discussing topics around social comparison, body image, self-worth and self-objectification from their experiences of being youth today.
We recognize that today’s young minds are flooded with social comparison, self-objectification and sometimes fear, and the impact starts from a young age as children are exposed to external influences and social media. Through their engaging and interactive presentations Brie and Nick focused on bringing self-compassion, empathy, unity and clarity to the centre of the conversation.
Brie held sessions tailored specifically around issues that young women face today, creating a safe space where our students could share their unique and shared experiences with each other and actively engage with the presentation and each other. The talks, divided by age groups, focused on body image, self-worth and self-objectification. Students shared their reflections after the session which included:
“This presentation made me feel more confident to be who I am and helped me understand the negative impacts of social media especially for young women.”
“This talk made me feel empowered because it was about how society wants you to be and breaking those barriers.”
“This presentation made me realize who I truly am, I am proud of who I am (my personality and my body).”
Nick drew upon his own experiences as a young man struggling through some of the challenges our young men face today. He talked candidly to our boys about some of the challenges he faced with his mental health through comparison, how social withdrawal led to depression and how human connection is at the centre of the human experience. He also looked at body image and representation as well as tackling male stereotypes, breaking them down, and talking through strategies to help boys feel and express their emotions and come from a place of empathy for both themselves and their peers. He also opened the floor to the boys to share and talk and expand on the conversations raised.
Our counselling team encourages parents to continue to have this important conversation about the impact of social media and societal influence on children today and the impact that the social construction of femininity and masculinity is having on mental health. For more information and how to help support children at home, see the additional resources below.
Hear from our Guest Speakers
Brie Mathers: Youth Can Change The World: “Love the Skin You’re In”
Nick Cholmsky – Ted Talk at McGill
Nick Cholmsky – Podcast interview
Books
The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt
Enough as She Is by Rachel Simmons
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
Of Boys and Men — Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to do About it by Richard Reeves
Articles
What is gender-responsive parenting and how can parents break the cycle of discrimination
Strict Gender roles hurt men too
Arts Showcase
The DP Arts Showcase on Wednesday evening featured an impressive display of creativity and talent from our DP students across visual arts, theatre and film. Students had the opportunity to present their work, and gain feedback from peers, parents and teachers.
The visual arts segment included paintings, sculptures and installations by our six Grade 12 artists, while the theatre section showcased live performances, both solos and group, demonstrating strong performance techniques. The film portion of the evening included screenings of short films students have produced this year and last year. The showcase was a celebration of the students’ hard work and artistic journeys throughout the IB Diploma Program.
See photos from the DP Arts Showcase
Update On This Year’s Youth & Philanthropy Initiative
Our Grade 9 students have been diving deep into community issues through the Youth & Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) so far this academic year. They’ve formed passionate groups, each focused on a local social cause.
Since November they have been researching and communicating with local charities in order to learn about their work and brainstorm ways to make a difference. In the past few weeks, each group has been busy visiting their organizations and interviewing community members about their work.
This year marks a special milestone, as we welcome Grade 9 students to the YPI program. Together, our students are making a significant impact on our community. In May, these young philanthropists will present their chosen charities to a panel of judges. The winning group will receive a $5,000 grant to support their cause. Since 2012, SJS has donated over $60,000 to local organizations through YPI!
Stay tuned for more updates as our Grade 10 students begin the program in the spring.
DP Students Enjoy Financial Literacy Workshops
Our DP students have been enjoying financial workshops with Mr. Alphil Guilaran, a colleague of SJS board member Mr. Bobby Ning. During these workshops our Grade 11 and 12 students have been introduced to topics such as taxes, good vs bad debt and money mastery habits. The workshops are always a hit as Mr. Guilaran is an engaging speaker who delivers interactive and memorable workshops and we are grateful to welcome him back to campus again this year.
