Wellbeing

Wellbeing as a key feature of our RIS Rome Culture

Wellbeing is a priority at RIS Rome and our carefully and expertly designed Wellbeing programme aims to achieve our goals of all young people feeling valued as individuals, safe, happy and that they have a strong sense of belonging. Our caring and dedicated staff work hard to bring our programme to life in and beyond our classrooms.

As a Globeducate school, RIS Rome is committed to creating a safe and healthy learning environment in which they can flourish. This is one of the key three goals that will help us achieve our mission as a Globeducate school to prepare each student to become a global citizen who can shape the world.

Positive Psychology Principles as our Basis

The wellbeing programme at RIS Rome is based on Positive Psychology principles, represented by the PERMAH model: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment and Health.

By focusing on these areas, our children and young people are given the awareness, the knowledge, and the tools to manage their wellbeing and mental health; as well as reminded that there is always support available to them if they need it. In practice, our constantly evolving programme currently includes the following:

A Whole-School Commitment to Wellbeing

Across all phases of our school, students can expect to be involved in our Wellbeing programme by knowing they have a voice and that we are ready to listen. Twice a year, we survey our children in age-appropriate ways from Year 2 to 13. We also involve staff in our surveys, ensuring our whole community is involved. Our 12-member-strong staff wellbeing team meets every Half Term to review and prioritise student and staff needs, also supporting the implementation of our programme on a daily basis.

Each term, we take a whole-school wellbeing theme, which could be anything from “Belonging and Empathy” or “Emotional Literacy and Coping Strategies” to “Compassion and Gratitude.”

Other features of our whole-school programme include:

Half-termly wellbeing assemblies
Weekly wellbeing strategy shared with staff
Regular staff training to share practical tools, all research-based.
Twice-yearly parent workshops, specific to age-groups and needs
Kindness Counts week along with all of Globeducate schools
Student wellbeing ambassadors from Year 7 to 13 - a team of 10 students lead assemblies, support peers and are trained to teach coping strategies to children in Elementary classes.
Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Lead who support children, young people and families with particular needs - trained, supported and audited by Globeducate Safeguarding and Welfare Officer.
Dedicated online platform for staff to raise any concerns
Two school psychologists who work with individuals and groups on a weekly basis.

Early Years and Elementary Class
Middle and High School Pastoral

Early Years and Elementary Class

Early Years and Elementary

Class teachers and teaching assistants in Nursery to Year 2 who prioritise children´s wellbeing needs.
Regular wellbeing sessions or PSPE (Personal, Social and Physical Education) lessons.
“Calm corners” in every classroom - a quiet space to help children regulate their emotions if needed. These may include displays or resource packs of coping strategies to remind them about what might help.
Student Council - two elected children from each class meet regularly with the school leadership team to share ideas about how the school can be developed.
Weekly certificates in assemblies for those who have demonstrated IB Learner Profile attributes (e.g. Caring; Principled and Reflective)

Middle and High School Pastoral

Middle and High School:

Pastoral Leader works with form tutors to offer support.
“Listening Centre” for drop-ins during break-time, with the Wellbeing Team.
Mailbox outside Wellbeing Office for students to drop messages.
RUOK - a dedicated email address created by students for students as a way of raising concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Bi-weekly PHSE lessons with form tutors.
Appreciation cards - always available for students and staff to present in assemblies or distribute to students.
Termly Values Award - each form tutor nominates a student who has consistently demonstrated RIS Rome values.
Student Council - one elected child from each class meets with the school leadership team to share ideas - including Wellbeing matters.

Wellbeing in all Globeducate schools

Body Confidence Programme Students

in all Globeducate British International Schools and ICS schools in Europe piloted a Wellbeing Body Confidence programme aimed at Years 8 and 9, ages 12 to 14.

The programme builds on successful wellbeing initiatives that have been led by individual Globeducate schools by involving many schools in the same project, and RIS Rome has been a pioneer school in the development of this programme.

Strength in belonging to a global education group means that our teachers are able to share challenges, best practice and make meaningful connections. Schools are supported by the Wellbeing Committee which focuses on planning similar collaborations in the future.

The programme is designed to raise awareness of self-confidence, self-esteem and good health and wellbeing, as well as learning about healthy ways to cope with challenges.

Wellbeing webinars

Ensuring that all Globeducate teachers feel equipped and knowledgeable about wellbeing is a crucial part of learning in our schools. Our teachers and parents are regularly invited to participate in a series of Globeducate Wellbeing Webinars, with inspiring and informative talks.