Yesterday, our young men participated in a wellbeing workshop led by The Man Cave, a team of dynamic facilitators from Melbourne. Using a Rite of Passage framework, the session engaged students through a series of high-energy games, seamlessly leading into deeper discussions about male stereotypes, their strengths, and the barriers they create.
A particularly powerful concept explored was the idea of the rocks in a person’s jar—the stressors and negative thoughts that can accumulate inside men until they reach breaking point. Through these discussions, students reflected on their own challenges, learning to recognise and manage their emotions in a supportive environment.
Throughout the workshop, our students demonstrated incredible emotional intelligence, showing maturity, vulnerability, and a genuine willingness to support one another. I was immensely proud of their courage to open up, listen, and connect in such a meaningful way.
Most importantly, they learned the value of checking in with each other—reinforcing that true strength lies in connection, honesty, and trust. And as The Man Cave ethos reminds us: what happens in the cave, stays in the cave.
This was more than just a workshop—it was a milestone in their personal growth, equipping them with skills and insights that will serve them well into the future.
“A lot of people feel things that you don’t see until you ask them. The games were fun. I learnt to listen to people and think about things before I speak and being respectful to people.” — Luka W
“It was fun and interesting. Everyone had a go. I found it challenging to speak about my feelings in front of a bunch of people but I knew I wouldn’t be judged. I enjoyed being able to express myself fully.” — Ruben S
“I think the check-ins were very helpful to learn about. The most challenging thing was being made to think about mental health. I’m going to try to be more aware of people’s emotions.” — Piya I
“It helped us know that it’s OK to express our emotions.” — Joe M
“I enjoyed learning about what’s going on in people’s lives and that it’s OK to say how you are going. I enjoyed the trivia at the end in particular. I’m going to ask my friends how they’re doing and checking in on them.” — Louis C-D
“I enjoyed it and learned about my classmates. I didn’t expect people to be so vulnerable and serious about what’s happening in their lives. I enjoyed the shoutouts, where you tell a mate what they had done for you that you hadn’t said before. I’m going to check in on people a lot more.” — Samuel F
“I liked sharing stories and helping people with what they’re going through. I will use daily check-ins with my friends.” — Will M
“It was great seeing the boys get out of their comfort zones and opening up about different things. They grew up hugely in a short amount of time. They have learnt how to have a mature conversation. There was a good balance of fun and games as well.” — David Cameron, Head of Bamal
“Today shed a new light on kids in my year who I didn’t know have a vulnerable side. I’m going to check in on mates more and not bottle things up.” — Wyatt W
“The activity I enjoyed the most was the check in activity. I found that it felt quite serious and mature. I enjoyed the way that my group opened up to share very well and we all listened to each other and how we all made each other feel comfortable. The skills I took away from the workshop were how to share my feelings in a serious way that accurately reflects what I am feeling at the time. Another skill I took away with me was how to check in with my friends and family to help me understand what they are actually going through. I think it is important for young men to be able to express their feelings and what they think, as it helps them to feel more comfortable and better about themselves, this is especially important with about half of all Australian men experiencing a mental illness with a large chunk of these being anxiety or depression related. This can be stopped through men being taught how to discuss and express their feelings in such a way that lifts the weight off of their shoulders and helps them to live better lives.” — William R
“Thank you for organising the Man Cave. My son was really positive about it and it led to some good chats about his own struggles.” — IGS Parent
Upcoming Workshops
Men of Honour (4 March)
Also led by Glen Gerreyn, this seminar guides boys in Years 8 to 12 through conversations about masculinity, choices and relationships. Addressing topics like media influence, male identity and respectful relationships, Men of Honour empowers students to make informed decisions about their futures.
Special thanks to Gareth Douse Head of Gura for organising these workshops for our students. Through these workshops, IGS continues to support students in their personal growth and wellbeing, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the challenges of adolescence and beyond.