Fontbonne Academy Highlights Commitment to Wellness

’s commitment to wellness for all its students shone in a discussion held during its annual “Love Your Body” week. 

Freshwoman Collette O’Connor led an engaging and nurturing discussion on body image.  Coined “Join the Discussion,” young women were invited to an informal and honest discussion to share the pressures they were feeling around food, body image, disordered eating and the media. 

Approximately twenty-five students turned out for this informational and thought-provoking session, including an alumna, Mary Callahan, a sophomore at Holy Cross.  Mary was Skyped in, along with her Residential Assistant (RA), who intends to share the information with the young women living in Mary’s dormitory.

As the program ended last week, participants in the discussion were asked to share what they learned and what, if anything, they would change in their lives in reaction to the information presented. Some of the more poignant, anonymous responses included; “I learned that all body shapes are beautiful and one is not better than another”; “I think I will be more careful about the words I choose to describe my own body and others.”; “I will stop comparing myself to my naturally thin sisters!”; “I am willing to accept and love myself just the way I am!” 

Fontbonne Academy’s priority of nurturing the whole student is evident in all its programs.  The Wellness Center at Fontbonne Academy provides programs each month which focus on healthy lifestyle choices.  It also supports students by offering counseling, guidance, personal training and coaching. 

Led by Keri McPhillips of Hingham, the Wellness Center is usually packed with young woman eager to focus on self-improvement. 

“Helping to guide young women through the maze of lifestyle choices is what we are all about.  It is our goal to direct these young women toward making good lifestyle choices not only while they are here in their high school years, but for their entire lives,” she said.

Fontbonne’s health program reaches beyond its Wellness Center.  It is the only all-girls Catholic school that has Physical Education in its curriculum for four years, and it offers a wide variety of sports team and clubs.  Fontbonne also offers after school fitness programs, such as the ever-popular, “Fit for Prom” where students work out in anticipation of donning their prom gowns.

“I am very proud of our Wellness Center, as it enhances Fontbonne’s commitment to the whole person—we aim to guide each student in mind, heart, body and spirit,” said Head of School, Mary Ellen Barnes.  “The discussion on body image is just one example of the many ways we nurture our students.”