Wellbeing @ MECS
What does student wellbeing look like at MECS?
It’s a simple enough question in which answers may well be focused on the general, accepted understanding that effective wellbeing sees each student flourishing, using their God-given gifts and talents. Statements such as ‘being the best version of themselves’ are often used to describe what wellbeing looks like. Of course, this looks and feels different for each student, given they are uniquely created. In this brief article I will explore the questions of how do all students flourish at MECS and how is student wellbeing supported?
The first element to be considered is community. Not only does effective learning take place in a community built on trust, mutual respect, compassion, honesty, grace and love, but so too is the foundation for student wellbeing. This relational community, beautifully described in MECS’ own book ‘Transformational Education’ is not an end in itself, but critically provides that environment for teaching, learning and the basis for wellbeing. Teachers provide an environment that promotes warmth, connection and passionate Christ focused teaching. In turn, students respond and with support both from teachers and parents take increased responsibility for their learning and choices. Parents play a pivotal role as part of this relational community, partnering with MECS staff and through aspects that include encouraging their children to embrace challenge, take risks, work with teachers on social, emotional and academic goals and supporting age appropriate boundaries and expectations.
The second part in thinking about how wellbeing is fostered at MECS is through understanding and nurturing diversity. Through embracing the various gifts, interests, backgrounds of those in the MECS community, diversity is embraced and all students are encouraged to flourish. Teachers take the time to get to know students, understanding their passions, learning styles, strengths, weaknesses and motivations. Students feel valued for who they are and safe to be themselves at school, to take risks in their learning and to stand for the values that MECS and their parents instil in them. Each and every student will have strengths and areas of growth. When MECS staff and parents recognise, respect and embrace these individual aspects of each student, students in turn relate to one another in a caring and supportive manner. This results in a reduction in unhelpful comparisons, false competition and a more authentic celebration and embracing of students for who they are.
Ultimately, student wellbeing is the collective responsibility of each person within a school community. This includes staff, parents and students, each working together to foster and celebrate diverse gifts and abilities. How blessed are we that at MECS we can draw upon the love that our Creator has poured out. We know that there will be challenges and problems along the journey and at these times we can turn to the hope and trust we have in Christ.
If you have any student wellbeing queries, please feel free to send me an email.
Danny Gamble
Primary Student Wellbeing Coordinator