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Wellness at Crunch Time
May is an extremely busy time for our students, especially senior students, with Grade 12s preparing for Grad and both Grade 11 and 12 students writing AP exams (some Grade 10s write AP exams as well). Shawnigan has 212 students registered in the AP program this year, writing a combined total of 405 exams between May 5 and 23.
The School takes great care to make sure students are set up for success in their AP exams, both on academic and mental health fronts. In the month leading up to the actual exams, students were given mock exams that helped condition them for the rigours of the tests.
“The students have been preparing in their classes by teachers giving them mock exams where they get to measure their level of preparation coming into the exam,” explained Mr. Max Sterelyukhin, Academic Dean (AP and Extension). “We have also asked for some flexibility for those who are taking more than four AP exams, and everyone has been very accommodating with such requests. I know that many teachers go above and beyond to offer extra tutorials before the exams and some even made T-shirts to commemorate the day of exam completion.”
Mr. Justin Wilke, for example, made T-shirts for his students that read “I survived AP Bio” on the front, with his face on the back.
Away from the classroom, the Well-Being Centre also helped students prepare for the challenging AP exams, which coincidentally started during National Mental Health Week in Canada.
“In preparation for the AP exams and National Mental Health Week, we designed specific support and resources tailored for all our students,” School Counsellor Ms. Jenny Tully explained. “These efforts ensure that students are not only academically prepared but are also mentally and emotionally equipped to handle the stress that often accompanies high-stakes exams and mental health challenges. The wellness sessions, from mindfulness practices to physical recovery techniques, are strategically offered to help students stay grounded, reduce stress, and boost their resilience during these critical times.”
The day before AP exams started, the Well-Being Centre offered a Well-Being Retreat with complementary wellness sessions that 89 students took advantage of, ranging from massage and meditation to cold plunges and floral design. The day included a wide range of group and one-on-one sessions that allowed the students to reset, recharge and reconnect.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
