Student Wellness
The holistic well-being of our students is important to us. There are four guiding principles that shape our commitment to student well-being:
Principle 1: Total Wellness
Nurturing a Healthy Body and a Curious Mind
Encouraging an active lifestyle is important in building physical well-being. Our students are encouraged to prioritise regular exercise, enough rest, and a balanced diet. We encourage our students to be curious and pursue an area of interest or find their passion. We create opportunities through House practice to learn a new sport and new skills.
Hannah from Primary 4 shared about her House Practice experience. "Joining the House Practice sessions makes me feel strong and happy! When I play and exercise, I feel better and can pay more attention in class."
Therefore, engaging in physical activities boosts overall fitness and helps our students be more attentive and participative in class.
Fostering Intellectual Strengths
We believe in nurturing bold learners—students are not afraid to dive deep into exploration and questioning. We believe it is important to foster a growth mindset, where setbacks are viewed as stepping stones for personal growth.
We design our learning experiences to make students curious and help them think on their own. We encourage them to be brave in their learning, exploring new ideas without fear. This way, they become better at handling challenges and adapting to changes in the world.
Building Social Connections
We firmly believe in the power of nurturing strong social connections among our students. We understand that fostering these bonds is essential for their overall development and success. By encouraging collaboration and teamwork, we instill in them the value of working together towards common goals. Through these interactions, students learn to appreciate diversity and respect differing viewpoints, essential skills for their future endeavors. Additionally, these social connections provide them with a support system, contributing to their emotional well-being and resilience. We design our learning environment to facilitate these connections, creating opportunities for students to engage with one another, build friendships, and grow together. Just as we cultivate a growth mindset in academics, we also strive to cultivate a culture of connection and camaraderie, where every student feels valued and supported in their educational journey.
Developing Inner Resilience
We want to nurture students to be strong and focused, even when things get tough. We believe this comes from taking care of our emotions and staying mindful. We engage in activities such as mindfulness exercises and self-reflection to foster this strength, alongside supporting others in their journey. Overall, we want our students to do well in school and become a disciplined learner, that is one who is able to balance his physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
Principle 2: Every Student Matters
Empowering Students
We highly value the voices of our students and thus actively encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas. One key opportunity we create for our students is the Class-based monthly Student Wellness Day. We invite students to contribute their suggestions for activities for this day. By doing so, we ensure that the activities reflect their interests and promotes total wellness effectively. Additionally, in-house practices and inter-house games offer another avenue for student voices to be heard. By allowing students to form their own teams, they learn to make decisions, fostering autonomy and empowerment. Furthermore, during the daily pre-assembly Heart-to-Heart Conversations, teachers make a deliberate effort to reach out to individual students, seeking to understand more about their needs. This personalised approach underscores our dedication to supporting each student's academic and personal development journey, ensuring that they feel heard, valued, and supported in their endeavours.
Viewpoints (Link to the page), a tiered modular programme, plays a crucial role in encouraging the student voice within the school community. These programmes provide dedicated platforms for students to share their perspectives, opinions, and experiences with their peers through print, photo and broadcast journalism as well as public speaking. Through these programs, students not only express themselves but also learn to listen to and respect the viewpoints of their peers, contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant school environment.
Forging friendships
We create opportunities for students to form meaningful relationships with both their peers and teachers. The monthly Student Wellness Day is eagerly anticipated by all students! These wellness experiences not only encourage positive contributions to the class community but also foster a sense of connection and appreciation for the world around them. The experiences are design also to provide opportunities for our students to practice the 7-habits and virtues they have learnt.
As shared by Ms. Maddie Wong, during the morning exploration of the Garden of Hope, students engaged in relaxing walks while not only sharing their observations of plants and animals but also offering each other support and assistance along the way. These immersive experiences serve to not only promote well-being but also cultivate close bonds and long-lasting friendships among students.
As Alicia from Primary 2 beautifully expressed, "The Fukkuwarai game which we played during Student Wellness Day was fun! I learnt teamwork and active listening from the activity." Such firsthand experiences highlight the effectiveness of interactive and engaging activities in fostering not only academic growth but a lasting sense of camaraderie among students, enriching their school experience and fostering a supportive community spirit.
Level Ambassadors: Advocates for Student Wellness
Our Level Ambassadors are more than just student leaders; they are dedicated advocates for student wellness. Equipped with empathy, trustworthiness, and patience, they undergo comprehensive training, both online and face-to-face, to fully understand their roles. These ambassadors play a vital part in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity within our school community, welcoming new students, befriending those who may feel excluded, and promoting a culture of care in every classroom and peer group.
Our Level Ambassadors actively help teachers in planning and conducting Student Wellness Day activities, garnering ideas from their classmates to ensure relevance and engagement. They take charge of conducting assembly talks, imparting practical handles to students on various topics such as cyber wellness and emotional well-being during exam periods. Additionally, they work with teachers to organize recess activities aimed at promoting wellness among students, such as cyber wellness pledge card writing, and activities that promote emotional and mental well-being. Through their dedication and proactive initiatives, our Level Ambassadors contribute significantly to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Principle 3: Every Teacher a Mentor - Guiding, Supporting, and Celebrating Success
Our Teacher Mentoring Programme supports our efforts to promote the holistic well-being of our students. Every teacher is a mentor, guiding students through their personal growth journey. Our teachers wear multiple hats at our school, serving as coaches, counselors, and cheerleaders for our students.
Coach: Our teachers act as coaches, guiding students through their learning journey. With a focus on support and guidance, they help students by providing encouragement and resources.
Counselor: Recognizing the importance of emotional well-being, our teachers also serve as counselors. They create a safe space for personal discussions where students can share their challenges and joys. By actively listening, they help students build emotional resilience and grow.
Cheerleader: Celebrating success is a big part of our culture. Our teachers act as cheerleaders, celebrating achievements and reinforcing positive behavior. By celebrating both big and small milestones, we help build students' confidence and create a positive environment for learning.
Teacher Mentors (TM) in action
One of the many opportunities for teachers to mentor students is the daily Teacher-Student Relationship (TSR) time which helps our students start the day right. The time is dedicated to short activities that build bonds, small group mentoring, and Heart-to-Heart Talks, where form teachers connect with students through open and meaningful conversations. These interactions create connections that last beyond the classroom.
Additionally, our students also look forward to group mentoring sessions led by CCA teachers. These sessions not only provide personalized guidance but also create an enjoyable atmosphere for students to connect with their peers and mentors. These sessions offer a supportive space for students to discuss challenges, set goals, and receive valuable advice on both academic and personal development. Our TM guide students in pursuing their passion projects and guide those interested in DSA. By combining mentorship with fun bonding activities, we foster a vibrant community where students feel supported, empowered, and connected to their peers and mentors.
Principle 4: Working Together
The school works in partnership with our parents and the community to support our students.
Our teachers connect and work with parents to ensure every child feels seen, heard, and supported. Teachers tap on various class communication platforms to keep our students informed about their progress and successes.
Our parents volunteer their time and effort to support school activities. This includes festive and commemorative events as well as recess art and science activities.
Our community partners include A* Agency, Junior Achievement Singapore and Telok Blangah Community Club who support our teachers in various student programmes. We also have established partnerships with secondary schools and higher institutions to mentor and motivate our students during CCA as well as support our talent development efforts.
In our Blangahnite Family, every student matters, and every success is shared. Our parents and community partners share our belief that each child is like a treasure chest full of talents just waiting to be discovered. We make it a point to acknowledge and celebrate the individual strengths and talents of each student in our vibrant community. Whether it is a gift for creativity, a love for science, or a talent in sports, we take the time to uncover and honor the unique qualities that make each student stand out. With our hearts and hands joined, we ensure each child reaches their full potential and shines brightly.