Our Saints Staff Celebrate a fun start to the final term
On Monday 8 September, the campus came alive again with the sound of staff returning after their August break for our start of term campus staff development day. The theme for the day was staff well-being and due to the Covid restrictions we had to rethink our usual indoor events.
It was the first time since January 2020 that all staff could gather on campus.
The morning started at 7:30 where staff gathered on Baytopp field to catch up with colleagues while having a coffee kindly provided by Cupped Coffee.
Our Saints team then moved down to Ridgeway field where they took their place on the stands and enjoyed a short outdoor chapel service lead by our College Chaplains. The Rector, Celeste Gilardi shared her start of term message linked to the theme of the day. We also welcomed new staff and celebrated long service awards, two of which were for an incredible 25 years of service, Mr Johannes Masemola, from our Operations department and Anna Rammupya of our Girls' Prep and College. We thank them both for their service, for always Inspiring Excellence and for Making a World of Difference.
Once the official service concluded, staff had the opportunity to participate in an amazing drumming workshop led by the awesome team from Drum Cafe. It was very special to witness the joy and laughter of staff being able to share the event together on our beautiful campus.
The next part of the morning allowed staff to choose from 8 different break away sessions relating to wellbeing kindly led by some of their colleagues.
Maestro Mike Sibanda challenged staff to try something new and yet again displayed his amazing ability to teach anyone how to make music on the marimbas.
Our very own Olympic coach of the SA Women’s Hockey team, Robin van Ginkel, shared his experience at the Tokyo Olympics.
Staff also got to learn about our own “Survivor”, Paul Cupido from the Junior Prep, and his experience of being part of Survivor Immunity Island.
Richard Little, our Director of Aquatics shared his own journey of how your personal mindset and attitude can influence your life.
The College’s new employee wellness partner, Reality Wellness, created some carnival fun where staff could take a selfie with a giant “Hope and Light” Selfie frame in the hope of being chosen as one of the lucky prize winners as well as enjoying a range of fun games including giant Jenga.
Sean Tunmer and Carey-Ann Dellbridge from our campus psychologists’ team entertained staff and shared information relating to positive psychology, wellbeing, and flourishing in all aspects of your life.
Many of our staff love to be fit and active, and at times can be quite competitive! These staff had the option to join Adrian Carter, Charlie Post and Justin Collett in some 5-aside football and touch rugby.
The last session was kindly offered to us by one of our parents, Nina Pearce, a creative thinking specialist, who ran a range of creative thinking exercises, games and challenges to allow staff to tap into their creativity which is a powerful way to restore wellness, joy, and a sense of balance.
After enjoying a nutritious packed lunch and being able to spend time catching up with colleagues, staff moved into small groups each lead by one of the College senior management team to discuss and brainstorm 3 key factors that had been identified by staff relating to how the College can enhance and prioritise staff wellbeing. The feedback from these discussions will be consolidated and used to guide our staff wellbeing focus for the balance of the year and into 2022.
After enjoying a fun morning together, staff dispersed back to their schools and departments to continue the preparations for the start of term.
Days like this don’t just happen and I would like to say a very special thank you to all the staff who played a part, either big or small, in ensuring that all our staff would enjoy a fun filled day ready to start to term with passion and excitement.
