Developing a positive school culture for wellbeing is vital for achieving the desired outcomes for student happiness. However, at times we can all feel a little overwhelmed, particularly in an environment where there is a lot going on. Pressure to perform and improve drives us on and makes us better at what we do but ultimately, if we can’t manage pressure effectively it can lead to stress.
Developing a positive school culture for wellbeing is vital for achieving the desired outcomes for student happiness. However, at times we can all feel a little overwhelmed, particularly in an environment where there is a lot going on. Pressure to perform and improve drives us on and makes us better at what we do but ultimately, if we can’t manage pressure effectively it can lead to stress.
The BIS HCMC Secondary Events Committee believe a crucial skill to thrive at school is to manage stress effectively and therefore last week, they created 'Happiness Week'. The aim of 'Happiness Week' was to focus on the importance of leading happy lives, which is not being joyful 24/7, but striving for wellbeing and overall happiness. To do this, they planned a range of activities every day to empower students and staff to lead happier lives. Year 12 student, Ana Samudio, explains more:
To help students gain some insight into the best proven ways to manage stress, we worked in partnership with the school counsellor, Ms. McWilliam, and a student artist, Sofia Graves to create a top tips video to support students in dealing with stress:
To have maximum impact on students and teachers, one of our main challenges was to ensure longevity and sustainability. We found it crucial to provide students with opportunities to learn and practice skills that promote a feeling of happiness which they could take forward into the future. Therefore we held a Happiness Fair that spanned two lunch times where most activities were free. The happiness fair included activities led by both students and teachers.
Led by Ms. Croft, this activity merged both mindfulness and yoga to give students a moment of peace and relaxation in their busy lives.
From our blog on 'The importance of physical health' we found out that just 10 minutes of exercise a day can increase alertness, positivity and energy levels as it releases feel-good endorphins into the bloodstream. Therefore Ms. Webb and The Just Dance Club organised a dancing session at lunchtime.
We sold stress relief merchandise ranging from squishy toys to play with in moments of stress and scalp massagers for a moment of relaxation and relief.
Linked with the aspect of giving, which promotes happiness for individuals, we sourced and decorated bottles recycled from the school’s bistro. Students were asked to write a message to a friend and place it inside the bottle. They could either deliver it themselves, or pay to have us deliver it for them.
This game requires students to use critical thinking as well as collaboration to win prizes. The purpose of this was to demonstrate how burdens and problems are easier to solve and deal with if they’re shared with someone else.
Research suggests that geometric colouring can create a stress-reducing mental effect. Therefore we displayed different mandala drawings and provided students with the colouring materials to complete them. Students could sit on bean bags to colour inside the auditorium where the yoga activity took place, or simply complete them with friends away from the booth.
This was the most anticipated activity of our whole campaign with all tickets selling out within half an hour! To develop the aspect of ‘trying out’, we encouraged teachers to display their talents on stage in our very own BIS Teacher’s Got Talent. Our teachers willingly put together performances with the sole reason of providing students with entertainment and it certainly put a smile on everyone's faces. The acts were as follows:
Impressions
Mr Astley & Mr. Goundry
Piano
Mr. Goundry
Magic Tricks
Ms. Lowry
Chemistry Jokes
Mr. Essery
‘I Will Survive’ - Gloria Gaynor
Mr. Bligh, Mr. O’Neill, Mr. Pine
‘I Am Young’ - Greg Roberts
Mr. Roberts
K-Pop
Ms. Jones, Ms. Bostock, Ms. Heatherly, Ms. Croft, Ms. Pattison, Ms. Kerr
Break Dancing
Ms. Archer
The show was absolutely amazing and gave the students a laugh and boost of happiness at the end of a long school week at the end of a very busy term. We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved!
Finally, we'll leave you with this quote from Ms McWilliam,
Remember the world around you is made up of infinite amounts of raw data, it only gains meaning once you interpret that data. Choose to interpret it positively. Live a happy life!
Ana Samudio, Events Committee
#WeeklyWellbeing
We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 class of 2024, for their impressive IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) results. This incredible cohort of 155 students, our largest IGCSE class in the history of the school, have significantly surpassed UK and international averages and were awarded 97% of all grades at A*-C. An incredible 62% of all grades awarded were at A*-A.
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