From the Head of Senior School

Mental health across society continues to be an area of both concern and focus in contemporary Australia. In support of this, Churchie works with all students and engages a range of expert organisations to help us in this area. Three such events, illustrating the breadth of our school’s support for mental health initiatives, occurred over the weekend: the Viking Run, the inaugural mental health GPS round and the Chess Beyond Blue Tournament. Notably, students are a driving force behind these initiatives.

Viking Run

The fourth annual Viking Run was held on Friday, with well over 550 runners, walkers and volunteers from St Margaret’s and Churchie coming together on The Flat for an afternoon focused on physical and mental health. Each year, students make suggestions on how to promote wellbeing within the community. This year saw the addition of Matthew Li’s food truck (powered by Miso Hungry), support from the YRNA Fun Run crew through Noah Monahan and the successful setting of a new Australian record for the most people running in Viking helmets, with 454 helmets making the 400 m trip! When the Viking Run began in 2021, it was designed to encourage participants to slow down, do something novel and spend time speaking with one another. Reaching this record attempt four years later is humbling and shows how the community has embraced the event. Federal Member for Griffith Max Chandler-Mather and Councillor for Coorparoo Ward Fiona Cunningham attended in support of the effort.

You Are Not Alone

Round five of the Term 3 GPS competition against Brisbane Boys’ College saw the inaugural mental health round supported and sponsored by the YRNA (You Are Not Alone) foundation. The day was devoted to raising awareness of mental health in society, especially among young men, which can be a significant issue in boys schools across the country and the world. Visually, the day featured red signage around Main Oval along with an arch leading onto Main Oval. The main initiative involved all teams, both in basketball and rugby, wearing yellow and green tape around their arms. This simple but powerful gesture reinforced the message to all boys that they are not alone. Whether during the school day, at sporting events on a Saturday or at home on a Sunday, you are not alone. You are never alone, and especially if you are wearing a blue and grey uniform—no matter the day—you will always have a thousand brothers to have your back, no matter what. With this in mind, I look forward to seeing this day and concept continue and develop in future years. 

Beyond Blue Chess Tournament

As part of his IB CAS project, Sravan Renjith organised and ran a fundraiser for Beyond Blue in the form of a chess tournament. The Chess4Charity Blitz event took place on Saturday in The Centenary Library. Open to both the Churchie community and the public, the event brought together a range of competitors for some friendly matches while also drawing attention to Beyond Blue, a national organisation that offers 24-hour counselling, online forums, mental health coaching and other resources for people suffering from anxiety and depression. With almost 40 competitors registered and over $700 raised for Beyond Blue, Chess4Charity Blitz was a big success. Well done, Sravan.

In summary, thank you to all involved in the organisation and facilitation of these events. It is great to see the community’s efforts to raise awareness and normalise seeking help with respect to mental health in our school and community.

Dr Alex Krzensk
Acting Head of Senior School