What is wellbeing – and why is wellbeing important for students?
Student wellbeing is a broad term that, typically, encompasses the overall health of a young person. This includes their sense of belonging, personal and social fulfilment, happiness, satisfaction, and purposefulness, as well as their physical health.
Studies show that students with positive emotional wellbeing tend to enjoy a good quality of life, have high energy levels, and build and maintain better relationships. They also develop lifelong coping skills and are resilient enough to overcome challenges.
In contrast, low wellbeing can have adverse consequences for a student’s health and development. It can also be a precursor to difficulties in adulthood.
As a school, prioritising a student’s all-round happiness and welfare is essential for many reasons. One of these is that wellbeing and academic excellence are inextricably linked.
Factors that contribute to student wellbeing
A range of factors contribute to positive emotional wellbeing. For many students, these might include:
An environment that nurtures emotional wellbeing
A safe and supportive learning environment is the platform on which our commitment to wellbeing is built.
We focus heavily on how our Leopardstown campus ‘feels’, as well as the opportunities it offers our students. A bespoke outdoor learning area, for example, gets our students outside in the fresh air, while the layout of our restaurant enables plenty of social opportunities.
From an early age, our children learn in bright, open spaces that encourage collaboration. Our early years areas, for example, are alive with colour and opportunity. They’re flexible spaces where our youngest learners are supported to make their own choices, discover new interests, and experience the outcomes of their decisions. This promotes children's health and wellbeing in the early years – setting our students up for success as they progress through our school.
A diverse community
The unique, welcoming feel we strive so hard to create is much more than just spaces and facilities.
Staff, students, and families from more than 45 countries call NAIS Dublin home. And their diversity is our strength, helping us to cultivate an environment that’s rich in perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures.
We’re immensely proud of this community, which is built on understanding, tolerance, and kindness. Against this backdrop – and with the support of hundreds – everyone can be themselves.
How we promote wellbeing in our school
The holistic education we offer features a plethora of initiatives and approaches designed to support our students’ emotional wellbeing .
Embedding wellbeing into the curriculum
The six pillars of sustained wellbeing – based on renowned psychologist’s Dr Martin Seligman’s ‘Flourish’ research – are carefully woven into each student’s curriculum. Interdisciplinary learning experiences, alongside a comprehensive PSHE programme, build resilience, raise important topics, and give our young people the tools they need to thrive.
A thriving House system
Our House system nurtures our students’ growth into confident, well-rounded individuals. It gives children from across the age groups a sense of identity within the school, as well as providing them with opportunities to develop social skills and enjoy healthy competition.
Giving every student a voice
Our young people have a say on the school policies, programmes, and principles that affect and matter to them. We also encourage them to take control of what and how they learn, from the service activities they support to the IB Diploma subjects they choose. This ensures they feel listened to and are doing what they enjoy.
Eating healthily
Our in-house chef prepares healthy meals from scratch, using only the best locally sourced produce. This ensures our students enjoy a well-balanced, nutritious diet, which supports their physical wellbeing and provides the fuel they need to learn.
Regular physical activity
Sport is a big part of life at NAIS Dublin, and we encourage every student to find something they enjoy. These include team and individual sports across an eclectic range of traditional and non-traditional activities, dance, plus local and global trips.
Making the most of technology
Our Global Campus digital platform is home to a raft of wellbeing resources for our students (and staff). We also work in partnership with our parents to navigate the pros and pitfalls of online life, including social media.
A community that understands why student wellbeing is important
Ultimately, our aim at NAIS Dublin is to provide a supportive and inspiring community where your child receives the care, inspiration, and opportunities they need to flourish.
Your child’s health, happiness, and wellbeing will always come first here – and if you have any questions or would like to talk to our team, we’d be very happy to chat to you.
For more information on whywellbeing is important for students and our wellbeing activities for children, please get in touch with us Enquiry
