I would like to begin this
newsletter by promoting some thinking about the fundamentally important area of Mental Health and Wellbeing. As
always at the end of a year, we spend some time looking at what should be focus
areas, what more we need to do to help our children become well adjusted and
empowered people.
Of course mental health is a huge
basket of different things and at different times the focus shifts from one
area to another. Most broadly we look at
how to create successful and happy human
beings. In doing so, we promote thoughtful kindness, mutual respect,
accountability and responsibility.
This is a complicated list of
words so let me share some initiatives undertaken so far. I am not here,
including the major focus on Mindfulness as this has already been shared.
Anti bullying week
In a primary school assembly we
had an interesting discussion on whether in future we should give it a
different name – Kindness week for example.
However in this year we
deliberately chose to highlight the specific area of bullying prevention,
because the creation of general awareness is in itself a deterrent. Students
themselves planned and contributed to activities. You can read more specific
details elsewhere in this newsletter.
The school rules were highlighted at an assembly – that bullying can be
verbal and psychological as much as physical, that bullying leads to strict
disciplinary action such as suspension and parent interviews. Through workshops
and discussions an understanding was created on what to do, the feelings of the
victim and how to develop assertiveness, the role of the bystander and how they
too have a responsibility.
Valuing Teachers
Teachers Day is always a time to
promote positive energy, express gratitude. The warmth and affection which
students expressed, their creative energy in putting together a performance
with no adult help – were all an indicator of a special bond between students
and teachers. This was perfectly captured in the painting done by IB students
and presented. Taking a tongue in cheek line from Harry Potter’s school
Hogwarts it declared Help is always given
at Pathways to those who seek it.
Accountability
Well adjusted happy human beings
are those who can distinguish right from wrong, who know that wrong actions
have consequences. This basic understanding is true at every level and in this
year we are strengthening this message to all students. A Nursery or KG child
who bites or hits another one knows it is
wrong and is often trying it, to test boundaries. It is very very important for us to send the
message that this is not alright –through a time-out on a special chair and by
the teacher saying so. Similarly, in secondary school students are held
accountable – with a focus on changing behaviour through consequences. This could be for inappropriate behavour or
for self management areas such as punctuality or assignment .
Alongside this there have been self-development
trainings for children in areas such as leadership, assertiveness, healthy
understanding of sexuality. A career day planned later in the year will get
senior students to look at where they want to go in life, the options available
and what they need to be like to get there.
Founders Day Planning
In October students will begin preparing
with some slight adjustment to the schedule to enable this. Beginning with the
first Thursday after the semester break, school
timings on Thursdays will not be shorter but will move to regular hours i.e 8 –
3.40. We will be updating you with more details of planning in a separate
communication later.
Dr Shalini Advani
School Director
