When do schools become communities? What is it about communities that make them essential for people to thrive?
Our ISWA ‘Purpose and Commitments’ states:
‘We value a diverse community where everyone is safe, included, appreciated, and feels free to be themselves. We recognise that our school community, the host country, and the international community provide an invaluable opportunity for us to be enriched by the perspectives of others. We are committed to collaborate and communicate effectively, and with empathy.’
Here we recognise that wellbeing is a multi-faceted concept – a combination of emotional, mental, physical, spiritual and social health – which reflects how people feel about themselves and life in general.
Together we strive, each day, to model wellbeing behaviours, teach competencies and actively engage students so they feel aligned to ISWA values. We want our students to feel safe, that teachers care about and treat them justly, and to be good about being at school. We want students to view their lives as meaningful and important.
Feeling connected at school is a protective factor for young people. When they feel a sense of belonging, they are favourably disposed to learning. These connections directly influence regular school attendance, which we know is fundamental to improved education and wellbeing outcomes. Connectedness also ‘…reduces risk-taking behaviour and violent and antisocial behaviour, as well as the likelihood of emotional problems.’ (Why is school connectedness so important)
Experts, like Dr Justin Coulson, report that:
‘It’s impossible to overstate the importance of connection. There is overwhelming evidence in the positive psychology, wellbeing and educational research. With connections, students believe they are lovable, have worth, feel safe, they’re more able to regulate their emotions, they trust more easily and they’re more resilient. Behaviours in children are bids for connection’. (Dr Justin Coulson)
Experiencing relationships with family members, friends and schoolmates lowers anxiety and depression. They raise levels of self-esteem, foster greater empathy, and facilitate more trusting and cooperative relationships. Strong mutually beneficial relationships can also help strengthen immune systems and stimulate disease recovery. Such connections help people feel understood, encouraged. and more able to persist when faced with challenges.
September 12 is the 2024 R U OK Day and it provides an ideal platform for us to reinforce these messages about how vital connections are throughout our lives. The focus this year is on ‘Asking R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day’.
Across the primary school our emphasis will be on students being aware of others and demonstrating ways to be a caring friend. Children will be invited to wear something yellow to school as recognition of yellow symbolizing optimism, joy, happiness and friendship. Some activities will be integrated into their normal schedule to highlight the fact that we ALL must be willing to genuinely listen to others so they can communicate their feelings and share what’s going on in their lives. Often sincere, active listening is all that’s required to really ‘see’, value and support someone. Dedicated listening and acknowledgement can have a very powerful impact.
Although secondary students will be off campus on camp, this is an Australia-wide initiative which we want to champion. Staff will also take time in September to reflect upon the significance of connections at ISWA and celebrate the connections which are at both the core of our Visible Wellbeing programme and comprise the DNA of our community.
