Three key ideas
Biculturalism, Christianity and Positive Psychology – are at the centre of our health and wellbeing philosophy. These form the foundation of our unique and targeted programmes for our boys, staff and community.
Biculturalism
In the traditional Māori worldview everything and everybody – the land, the people,the sky, the oceans, flora and fauna – are connected. The essential elements of the Māori sense of wellbeing are feeling connected to place, knowing your purpose and knowing your holistic self.
Christianity
Wellbeing in the Christian tradition encompasses each person living in peace in all relationships – with God, with self, with others, and with nature.
Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves and to enhance their experiences of life, love and social connection.
Please click here to read a comprehensive overview of Health & Wellbeing / Hauora at Christ's College.
Meet the team
John Quinn
Director of Health & Wellbeing
John joined College in 2017 as the Director of Health & Wellbeing. The team lead the positive education programmes both inside and outside the classroom.
John has been working with people and teams for the last twenty years in across multiple industries - government, education, business and High Performance Sport. His focus has been in the fields of Leadership, Positive Psychology, Well Being and Happiness, Mental Skills Coaching and Resilience. When working with people and teams John is always interested in ensuring that they are following their passions and using their strengths to ensure that they are connecting with their passions but also their team mates/co workers.
John has worked with several sporting teams and organisations nationally, including New Zealand Rugby, New Zealand Cricket, New Zealand Softball, New Zealand Bowls and High Performance Sport. Within the Canterbury region he has been working with Canterbury Cricket, Canterbury Rugby, Canterbury Netball, Canterbury Golf and Canterbury Cats Hockey.
Dr Sarah Anticich
Director of Health & Wellbeing
Sarah is a clinical psychologist already known in the College community for her presentations on neuroscience and Positive Education.
Sarah has specialist experience in the areas of anxiety, trauma and mood disorders in children, adolescents and adults, and has worked in both public and private practice across a range of settings – including five years in Brisbane -- including education, corrections, ACC and specialist mental health services.
She recently became an accredited Strength Switch facilitator, supporting families to develop strength-based parenting
tools and strategies. Christchurch born and bred, Sarah has a comprehensive understanding of young people’s lifestyles and concerns, in particular the endemic difficulties of coping in a digital age. Sarah says her focus is on returning to the basics of building quality, meaningful relationships, which will act as strengths in the face of stress and anxiety. With two young children and a new puppy, life is full!