Wellbeing
Why Wellbeing?
At ISK we believe that social, emotional and mental health development is just as important as academic achievement, and that elevating student happiness and wellbeing is at the core of our work. By focusing on the whole child, we create the conditions in which our students can develop into resilient, well-rounded, high achieving individuals, ready for whatever the future has in store for them. We also recognise the need to prioritise safe, supportive, culturally-sustaining, and equitable learning environments that promote the social and emotional competencies of both students and adults in order for our school and community to thrive.
According to two decades of research, a student who has high levels of wellbeing is also likely to have better physical health, better social relationships, more optimism for the future and higher academic performance. It also has a positive impact on a student’s life well into adult life, with longitudinal research showing that wellbeing in the teen years impacts employment, earning capacity, relationship satisfaction and overall happiness.
What is Wellbeing?
The elements of Professor Martin Seligman’s PERMAH model form the basis of how we understand our approach to wellbeing. At ISK wellbeing is cultivated by the presence of
- Positive emotions: the ability to be optimistic and have a positive perspective.
- Engagement: in what we do so absorbed in wonderful present moments that ‘flow’ occurs.
- Positive relationships - which build and foster our enjoyment of social connections, and spread love and joy.
- Meaning and purpose: knowing the reason and striving to find greater purpose, Accomplishment: to set and work toward goals that give a sense of accomplishment.
- Health: the cultivation of healthy habits such as eating well, moving regularly, sleeping well and knowing how to lead a mentally and physically healthy life.
These practices enable optimal wellbeing enabling our students to thrive.
