Writer: Michelle Olatunji

Editor: Olivia Cheng

Havergal is a school with a rather competitive environment and constant hustle and bustle. In the midst of it all, the “Thrive” initiatives do a tremendous job of reminding us that our mental health matters just as much as the hustle. I interviewed 2025-26 Wellbeing Prefects Jana Kalbasi and Kate Dymond to gain a little more insight into the astute switch from Thrive Week to Thrive Days and wellbeing within the community. At Havergal, we tend to have a constant “work, work, work” mentality and the feeling that we constantly need to lock in, but it is so important to take a moment and say ‘I’d like to take my break now,’ Jana Kalbasi notes.

Wellbeing is an ongoing matter, not a predetermined action for every once in a while. Thrive days aim to respond to students' needs over time. Typically, they look like a hands-on activity or moment of reflection during lunch or after school. They’re the perfect opportunity to think deeply about mental health within the school environment. Kate explains the thinking behind Thrive Days: “We try to tie wellbeing into whatever we do; taking just a few minutes to do something fun can do a lot for you and help you be successful. Even if at first it doesn’t seem productive, it is important to give yourself grace and allow yourself these small moments.”

With Thrive Week, the concept is watered down since not every student can attend every event. The spaced-out nature of individual days allows greater impact and further reach. It asks the community to make time at one point during their month. One particular event was the wellbeing Rise and Thrive event, one of Jana’s favourites. Events like this offer a reprieve from the business of school life and embody aspects of the Wellbeing Framework: care for self, care for others, and care for community. Planning a Thrive Day encompasses one or more of these elements — for example, the winter cozy dress down day. There are moments of joy in being able to wake up in the morning, excited to come to school in comfortable clothing, set a positive mood for the rest of the day, and ‘care for self’. To wrap up the day, there was an amazing opportunity to take a break, watch a movie, and engage with others.

Wellbeing is constant, whether positive or negative; the original Thrive Week implies that it only matters in that period of time, which is not the case. A large change that Jana and Kate have noticed is an increase in numbers and engagement throughout the community. Sometimes you won’t have the best day, but the opportunity to have the little things to set you up positively and, in turn, being more productive is an amazing impact. Thrive is such an incredible part of our community and an underrated one at that. Show up when possible and engage with the initiatives; the events are always being tailored to the school community, and Jana, Kate, and the Wellbeing council always appreciate all feedback. I asked Jana and Kate about one takeaway they hope students can have from a Thrive Day. Here are there responses: “Having Thrive Days is an opportunity to look after yourself and start to implement what you’ve gained in your own life” - Jana. “I want people to understand that taking a break is never a bad thing. Not taking a break that’s needed is so much worse for you than taking the moment.” - Kate.

From Weeks to Days: Thrive and Wellbeing at Havergal