Isla Robinson’s Seed Journal: Cultivating Wellbeing Through Te Reo & Personal Growth
From Sacred Heart Girls’ College in New Plymouth to Rochester and Rutherford Hall, Isla Robinson has carried a passion for mental health and creative expression. Her journey led her to co-create He Puawaitanga o te Oranga – Your Journey to Growth - a wellbeing journal developed with her friend Angel during their school years. Now, Isla, a Fine Arts student at the University of Canterbury, hopes the journal will continue to help others.
The Origins of He Puawaitanga o te Oranga
The title He Puawaitanga o te Oranga, meaning "a journey to growth and blossoming in life," reflects Isla’s heritage and desire to infuse her project with the depth of te reo Māori. “My Māori teacher helped with the title,” Isla explains. “The te reo title encompasses more meaning than we could capture in English.” A commitment to supporting mental health, especially within a school environment, motivated Isla to start the project during her year 12. Struggling with glandular fever and COVID-19, Isla found solace in journaling. While wellbeing was increasingly being discussed, she noticed a lack of hands-on mental health practices within her school, which is what inspired her to take action.
A Group Journey in Seed Journaling
Isla and Angel created Seed Journaling first as a community initiative. “We started group seed journaling, where we’d meet during lunch and focus on themes like anxiety and overthinking,” Isla recalls. They used practical activities to discuss important wellbeing issues. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, they found ways to connect through Instagram, promoting mental wellness topics and activities students could do at home.
Their dedication was recognised with the Hauora in Schools Award, granting them $7,500 to bring the journal to life. “Winning the award made it possible to write and create the journal,” Isla shares. She and Angel hand-bound 561 copies themselves, distributing them free of charge to students in Years 9-13 at their school, ensuring everyone had access to mental health resources.
Cultivating Wellbeing, One Chapter at a Time
The journal is divided into five concise chapters, each a metaphor for personal growth: Dig a Hole (Delving into the Past), Plant the Seed (Setting yourself up for Success) Water Well (Self love and nurturing), Wait Patiently (Mindfulness & Meditation), and Sprouting (Gratitude). Isla and Angel wanted the chapters to be accessible, using gardening analogies to make the ideas relatable and engaging. Each chapter is paired with activities, allowing students to explore their emotions and practice mindfulness.
The creation process, though rewarding, wasn’t without its challenges. Isla reflects, “The hardest part was overcoming the feeling that we weren’t professionals. We did a lot of research, but we still wondered—would people want to listen to us?” The support from peers, teachers, and family helped keep them motivated, and receiving the physical journal was an unforgettable moment for Isla. “Holding the journal in our hands and seeing everyone’s smiles made us feel accomplished.”
Building a Legacy for the Future
Isla’s vision for the journal remains ambitious. She dreams of expanding He Puawaitanga o te Oranga into a larger program, one that could be introduced in schools across New Zealand. “We’d love to create a whole package that could be used as a teaching tool,” she says. Isla envisions presenting workshops, collaborating with schools, and potentially even launching a small business. Angel, now in Auckland, is equally invested in seeing the journal grow. “We need investors to make this dream a reality, but it’s a journey we’re both excited about,” Isla remarks.
The impact of He Puawaitanga o te Oranga extends beyond Sacred Heart, touching the lives of peers and students who found solace in Isla’s message. The journal sparked a sense of community within the school, with students from other year levels taking interest. Reflecting on her journey, Isla says, “Seeing the joy on my friend’s face when they asked to buy a journal for their younger sister was incredibly special.”
He Puawaitanga o te Oranga is not only a personal achievement for Isla but a legacy she hopes will flourish for generations.