Supporting Wellbeing

A chat with SHAKILA OMAR, Head of Student Wellbeing at GESS – International School, about the various ways the school offers support for students, and this month’s launch of a special centre dedicated to doing just that.

Why is wellbeing important for GESS?

Children cannot engage in learning or develop optimally if any area of their health is impeded. At GESS, we factor in the social-emotional wellbeing of our students when designing age- and purpose-appropriate spaces on campus, and when reviewing our curriculum and programmes. We also organise regular training and workshops for all staff, including non-faculty members, on the fundamentals of how to support student wellbeing, through mindful and appropriate behaviour as well as how to handle situations and issues.

How can a student seek support if they’re shy? 

By normalising support-seeking, students feel empowered to seek the support that they need and embrace this as a regular part of school life.

There’s also a strong focus on homeroom teachers forming strong bonds with their students so that teachers become the most accessible, trusted adult for a student. Homeroom teachers can redirect students to more specialised support when needed.

What are some of the new approaches the school has implemented?