Academics
The Punahou Journey
Support and Wellness (The S+Well)
The mission of the Support + Wellness Department is to promote student awareness and life skills development around a variety of topics that affect health and well-being. An intentional effort is made to cultivate a classroom atmosphere uniquely different from other courses to effectively address and explore age-appropriate social and emotional topics. Topics include values identification, goal setting, decision-making, time management, stress management, communication strategies, interpersonal relationships, peer pressure and teen risk behavior. An underlying goal is to create an empathetic, compassionate and resilient student body. Social Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEEL) skills are taught in various settings which provide students with leadership training and meaningful opportunities that include and extend the Punahou School community. The department provides proactive, experiential, academic and skills-based training addressing the psychological, social and emotional aspects of human development.
SURF I & II
(Standing Up, Reaching Forward)
(Standing Up, Reaching Forward)
What does it mean to live a life of meaning? What skills are needed? Why does it matter? If success is defined more broadly than a test score, a GPA or an offer of admission to a prestigious school, what is “success?” SURF is a life skills foundation course. Students learn and practice skills like collaboration, communication, critical thinking and empathy to not only prepare them for college but to also ensure they can live a successful life as productive community members beyond high school.
This practical, creative, thought-provoking and fun course offers students the opportunity to develop competency in the skills necessary to successfully surf the uncertain, often unpredictable waves of life! Six specific skill areas underpin the student-centered themes explored: collaboration, communication, embracing challenge, empathy, think critically and honor self and place.
Upon successful completion of this course, students know what it means to be highly self-aware and intrinsicallymotivated. More importantly, they can continue toward mastery in the essential skill areas associated with social, emotional and ethical learning.
Punahou School
©2022 Punahou School. All Rights Reserved