STUDENT WELLBEING: Developing a robust and supportive wellbeing curriculum

I have been Assistant Head of Secondary now for 2 terms, and there are times when it feels much longer. However, my main focus is Secondary student wellbeing and I am really excited to have this opportunity to update you on the progress we are making with our community.

The wellbeing curriculum at BIS Hanoi continues to evolve, with the aim of offering students the chance to improve their own wellbeing, as well as learn important life skills.

This term, students have had opportunities to reflect on their own study skills and how they deal with exam stress, as well as learn about body-confidence, puberty and sex-education. Student-led initiatives include a plan by our Year 10 students to support their peers from a local school, who we hope will benefit from 1:1 sessions with students from BIS Hanoi. We look forward to seeing how this idea develops in the next few weeks.

To gain a better insight into what our students need from a Wellbeing curriculum, we recently asked small sample groups from each year to share the main challenges to their wellbeing - and what they need to meet these challenges. These findings will help shape the new Wellbeing curriculum, which we will begin delivering at the start of the new academic year.

Two Student Council sub-committees - Food and Uniform - have also worked hard to gather a clearer understanding of students' attitudes towards the existing school uniform and food services. Later this term, they will present their findings to the Senior Leadership Team.

Help shape student wellbeing with the BIS Hanoi Wellbeing Committee

The Wellbeing Committee at BIS Hanoi is represented by students, staff and parents. Together we’re gathering momentum in looking at how we can improve Wellbeing within our school community. If you are interested in joining the committee, or have any ideas related to Wellbeing, please email me at rob.taylor@bishanoi.com.

In May, we have an opportunity to increase Mental Health awareness by dedicating a week to discussing and examining our Mental health. Although Mental Health requires more than a spotlight once a year, this week-long focus gives us the opportunity to share the latest developments with our community. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Mr. Matt Greenwood (School Counsellor) at matthew.greenwood@ bishanoi.com.

This is undoubtedly an exciting time for Wellbeing at our school. We look forward to sharing more about how we are building a curriculum which will provide the foundation to support your child through their learning journey - and allow them to flourish here at BIS Hanoi.

Mr. Rob Taylor Assistant Head of Secondary (Wellbeing)