Having worked with Kellett British International School in other well-being contexts previously, we knew that our job creating a retreat for the Year 11 students would be thoroughly enjoyable. Prioritising the well-being of an enjoyable are so aligned.

We were asked to design a bespoke programme that was dynamic enough for teenagers to feel challenged physically, fun enough for them to be engaged, which also catered for both boys and girls of different cultures. Working with this age group can be rewarding on many levels, one being that they are open to new ideas and are adaptable to change. This is why we created five versions of the retreat until we were all satisfied that the content was as diverse and impactful as possible.

Academic pressures can overwhelm many students regardless of age, especially around exam time. It was important for us to leave practical, tangible tools in their (actual) toolboxes, which they could access independently whenever they felt anxious or stressed. Self-management and self-regulation were two states we endeavored to achieve.

Combining physical exercise, group activities, mindfulness practices, a variety of breath work, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), identifying negative self talk and the inner critic, cultivating emotional awareness and the importance of self-care, ensured that we offered something for everyone.

We were blown away by the vision of all 80 students lying motionless on the floor seemingly engulfed by peace and serenity, as we lead a twenty-minute guided meditation. Our guess is that it made up for them not having access to their mobile phones for two full days!