The connection between our students’ wellbeing, social and emotional learning, and academic success has never been more important.
Havergal knows that wellbeing is foundational to an individual’s ability to make positive, responsible decisions, achieve their goals and build positive relationships with others. Our focus in the Junior School is on helping students develop the intra- and interpersonal skills they need to flourish throughout their lives. They learn to recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate their emotions resulting in increased self-awareness and constructive behaviors that contribute to positive relationships and their academic success.
Our Commitment to Wellbeing identifies our own role, the role of our peers and the role of the school community in our wellbeing and prioritizes understanding strengths and areas of growth, compassion, self-awareness and values alignment.
Our approach to wellbeing at Havergal is based on the premise that the adults in a child’s life have the largest impact on student wellbeing. Building strong, intentional relationships and modelling skills are key priorities and the basis of a thorough professional development program in the school that focuses on a proactive approach to student health and wellness.
Wellbeing programming is led by Homeroom and Specialist Teachers, our Child and Youth Worker and our Chaplain in the Junior School. All work with students to explore different aspects of wellbeing that reflect the needs and interests of the students at each developmental stage.
Resiliency
Why Wellbeing Matters
Our holistic approach to wellbeing informs all other aspects of our students’ education and prepares them for whatever may lay ahead. Our overarching objective is to help our students flourish in their education journey, build resilience against adversity, increase their awareness of self and others and develop a sense of belonging within our community. Our integrated approach to wellbeing is responsive to the developmental needs of our youngest learners and is founded on evidence-based research.
Supporting Overall Health & Connection
Starting in Junior Kindergarten, students learn the tenets of wellbeing and why it is important. The link between student wellbeing, social and emotional learning and academic success has never been more apparent, with belonging being an essential component. Key to this is each student’s connection to the range of groups in which they belong, including their Homeroom, team/clubs, grade, House and the broader student community.
Developing Mindsets of Advocacy
Teachers support students in self-discovery: who they are, what they can accomplish and how to become the best version of themselves. In the Junior School, students are provided with the skills and confidence to seek help, foundational tools for the development of personal agency and empowerment of the self. Teachers help to guide conversations among students, provide structure and direction and allow students the time and space to engage in their personal journey.
Spiritual Wellbeing
In the Junior School, our approach to spiritual wellbeing is responsive to the needs of the community. Moments of quiet reflection offer infinite value. While our Anglican affiliation provides the foundation for spiritual life as a school, we have a multi-faith community. We foster respect for and understanding of the religious traditions and teachings of other faiths. Students have opportunities to contemplate their spiritual life through celebrations, intellectual pursuits and Prayers.
