Workshop

About

We are the 2023 ~ 2024 student senators who created a workshop package based on building healthy relationships and touching on the mental well-being of all students. This idea stemmed from the main question “What motivates students to come to school?”. Relationships emerged as a significant motivator, leading us to focus on relationship-building activities with others and within themselves. 

Target Audience

This package is adaptable for students both in junior high and high school.

When do we recommend doing this?

1. The first week of school (Week of Welcome where leadership teams are responsible for running a session in each class).

2. Student Senators who would like to introduce themselves to a group of students and make connections through a leadership initiative such as running this workshop.

3. After exam weeks when students are most burnt out and need time to relax

Points to keep in mind during the activities

• not allowing a middle man in the find your pair game

• common three, not something that you are, something that makes you unique

• could the workshop be run by students, maybe student senators?? Run this workshop within the school to introduce themselves and make connections.

• allowing the people running it to add their own experiences during the conversations

• Incorporating more whole group exercises,

• More clarity with the instructions for the exercises

• Add in the presentation about who and what senators do, talk about how each school’s application process works. 

• Rephrase some of the reflection questions to avoid name calling and negative things. Want to create a safe space

• More general duo and trios, maybe add a photo with the name??

• Keep the authenticity of the workshop and add your own experience. Walking around and engaging with the class and not reading from the slides. 

How do I run this?

Our group has run a pilot project at Dr. Anne Anderson High School with the following script and presentation slides. Feel free to make any modifications to fit the needs of your classroom using the following template: 

Our workshop group conducted a test run at Dr. Anne Anderson High School on May 2nd, engaging an audience of 20 eager Grade 10 students and 6 experienced Grade 11-12 students interested in leadership. This pilot project aimed to test the feasibility of our workshop package, which includes a presentation template and script that we intend to make accessible on the website. Recognizing the importance of interaction and personal experiences, the workshop emphasized hands-on, interactive activities and open discussions with reflective questions.

Overall Impressions

"Great! I loved interacting with other students, especially those of other grades. The opportunity to do so doesn't come around often…"

Most Memorable Moment

"Our 3 hosts, because they made the environment fun and truly seemed passionate about it."