Leader of Learning - Pastoral Academic Care and Wellbeing

The power of belonging

Humans by nature are social beings, we need to feel connected, we need to share experience and we need to feel safe within these connected relationships. Schools provide a sense of community for young people. When our young people have a strong sense of belonging, of feeling safe and valued, where they are able to contribute to the culture and environment, they are able to become even more engaged in the school community. This is clearly evident in their want to be present at school (reduced absenteeism), their levels of engagement in the learning experiences and their motivation to give all things learning a go, despite what might seem to be a risk (of getting something wrong). When there is a strong sense of belonging to the community students are able to thrive.

How can we support this sense of belonging and hence create a culture of learning? This is a huge challenge, but one I believe we have all the key ingredients to take on and be more than just successful, we can really begin to change the culture of our college. All that we need to do is to remind ourselves that “it takes a village to raise a child” and the village in this instance comprises our students, their parents and all members of the O’Connor community. When we work together, we can achieve great things. Yes, it can be hard, communicating, following through on agreed actions, asking for help or support, but we are a family. By working together, parents and carers, alongside schools we are able to empower students to feel safe and valued, to get involved in college life.

As stated in the diocesan document, Living Well, Learning Well, when families and schools work in partnership, we are able to recognise the strength of these positive partnerships in strengthening our  school community where we see improved learning, a greater sense of wellbeing, a stronger sense of our faith development and greater opportunities for further connectedness and opportunities for celebration. But this message is not just isolated to the world of school and learning, we are witnessing this want to belong, to be part of a team, helping others on our televisions at this very moment. We are seeing people come together in face of incredible hardship and testing times, to provide support for those in need. Not only are the people of the Northern Rivers coming together as a community, but we are witnessing so many other people coming to join them, providing support and comfort, hence creating a bigger sense of community. Even O’Connor is joining this example by having a mufti day fundraiser as a means of supporting a community in need.

Together we are more powerful and impactful than we are when we stand alone. Together in partnership we can provide a real sense of strength of belonging for all members of the O’Connor community.

Mellissa Bell

Leader of Learning - Pastoral Academic Care & Wellbeing