A wellness programme at The Diocesan School for Girls in Makhanda (DSG) is setting new standards for how schools can integrate holistic health education into their curricula, addressing the growing mental health challenges facing teen girls.
The initiative comes at a critical time when adolescent mental health concerns are rising globally, with young women particularly vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and body image issues during their formative years.
Launched in 2016 by Head of DSG Lifestyle Lindsay Davy, the Lifestyle Wellness programme has evolved from modest Pilates and step classes into a school-wide initiative that touches every aspect of student development.
“We know that many of the habits, thought patterns, and self-beliefs that young women carry into adulthood are formed during their school years,” Davy explained. “At DSG, we are intentional about setting girls up for success beyond academics.”
The programme addresses mounting pressures faced by adolescent girls, including academic stress, social expectations and body image concerns. With a 150-year legacy of educating young women, DSG has positioned wellness as a cornerstone rather than an optional extra.
Through partnerships in the local Joza community, DSG students extend their impact by sharing wellness knowledge with younger children, demonstrating how wellbeing can serve as a form of community service.
Key programme elements include:
• Food for Thought: Reframing nutrition conversations from restriction to nourishment
• Mindful rest practices: Including 20-minute naps during Pilates classes
• Community outreach: Partnerships with neighbouring Joza community
• Student leadership: Senior pupils teaching younger children
The initiative also encompasses physical activities ranging from yoga and Zumba to nutrition education and discussions about body diversity while senior learners can qualify as certified instructors, gaining practical skills for future opportunities.
“The DSG Lifestyle programme aims to be proactive in its approach, equipping our girls with practical strategies that support their whole selves – physically, emotionally and socially,” Davy noted. “In turn, our hope is that they become more grounded, more confident and better prepared for the challenges ahead.”
