Wellbeing

At DCC we have a focus on mediation when students experience conflict. Teaching students how to mediate their disagreements helps them develop essential conflict resolution skills. These skills are invaluable not only in school but also throughout their lives as they encounter conflicts in various personal and professional settings.

Mediation requires effective communication, active listening, and the ability to express one's thoughts and feelings constructively. Students who mediate their disagreements learn how to communicate more clearly and productively. It promotes empathy and understanding among students. It encourages them to consider the perspective of others and find common ground, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious environment.

Mediation helps students build stronger peer relationships. When they work together to resolve conflicts, they often develop a sense of trust and cooperation, leading to better friendships and collaboration in group activities.

Teaching students to mediate conflicts can reduce the incidence of bullying and physical or verbal aggression in schools. When students know how to handle disagreements peacefully, they are less likely to resort to harmful behaviour. Mediation fosters emotional intelligence, which involves recognizing and managing one's emotions and those of others. This skill is crucial for personal development and interpersonal relationships.

A classroom free from unresolved conflicts is more conducive to learning. Mediation can lead to a better learning environment, ultimately improving academic performance for all students. The ability to mediate disagreements is a life skill that extends beyond the classroom. Students who learn these skills are better equipped to navigate complex situations in their adult lives, whether in relationships, workplaces, or communities.

When students are actively involved in resolving their own disagreements, they feel empowered and gain a sense of control over their lives. This empowerment can boost their self-esteem and self-confidence. Mediation programs contribute to the development of a positive school culture where conflict resolution is encouraged, and students feel safe and supported. This, in turn, enhances the overall school experience.

The steps to mediation we use at DCC are:

1. Agree to mediate – I’d like to try and help you to resolve the problem
2. Find out what the problem is – Tell me what happened. How do you feel about the situation?
3. Find out what each person wants – what do you want? Why?
4. Finding Solutions – Can you think of any ideas to fix the problem?
5. Choosing the best idea – Which idea do you think is the best to help the problem?
6. Create an agreement – make a plan/agreement about what will happen from now on

If you would like to, please use these steps at home to support your child/ren.

If you have any questions or would like to talk, please feel free to come and see a member of leadership.

Regards,                                                                                                                                                 

Brianna