Student Wellbeing & Belonging at ISG

Student

Wellbeing & Belonging

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summary

Across ISG, our wellbeing and belonging initiatives share a common purpose: to ensure every student feels known, valued and connected. From student recognition and leadership opportunities to counseling support and community-building activities, each school fosters a safe, caring environment where students can grow with confidence.

Index

American School Dhahran

British School Dhahran

ISG Dammam

ISG Jubail

Sara Village School

At American School Dhahran, wellbeing and belonging are being strengthened through a purposeful focus on student recognition, student voice and supportive relationships across all grade levels.

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AMerican School Dhahran

Wellbeing & Belonging

1. Elementary School

2. Middle School

At American School Dhahran

Student Recognition

+ASD Advisory

3. High School

Advisory

At ASD, our six dedicated counselors have set goals around meeting with all students in their respective divisions and/grade levels. We aim to cultivate strong student-counselor relationships and normalize counseling conversations so everyone can feel comfortable, confident and included at ASD. In ASD HS, the advisory format this year has fostered wellbeing and belonging through student-led social activities, teacher-facilitated discussions on ISG's core values and graduate profile (including balance, compassion and acceptance), video messages that celebrate and connect the community and digital-journaling reflections.

We aim to cultivate strong student-counselor relationships and normalize counseling conversations so everyone can feel comfortable, confident and included at ASD.

What This means for ASD StudentS

Consistent recognition affirms students’ strengths, effort and character, reinforcing that they matter in the ASD community.

1. They feel valued.

2. They experience community at every level.

From ES assemblies to MS Teams to HS advisory, students build friendships, share experiences and develop identity within supportive peer groups.

3. They grow as confident leaders.

Student-led performances, activities and collaborative projects help students practice voice, agency, and responsibility.

Regular counselor interactions and reflective advisory practices strengthen mental health, self-understanding and coping skills.

4. They develop emotional resilience.

Through celebrations of compassion, balance, acceptance and other core values, students learn what it means to be thoughtful, responsible community members.

5. They feel connected to ASD’s values.

Wellbeing and belonging at ASD are rooted in recognition, relationships and student voice—ensuring that every learner feels known, supported and positioned to thrive.

At BSD, wellbeing and belonging are shaped by positive psychology and the PERMAH model. Students learn and celebrate 24 character strengths, which are highlighted in assemblies, role plays and weekly recognitions that go beyond academics.The primary school’s house system also strengthens belonging by giving students a shared identity and opportunities to contribute meaningfully across all age groups. In January, BSD will introduce My Happy Mind—an NHS-endorsed wellbeing program for students and parents. This launch marks an important step in our continued commitment to supporting the whole child and fostering a thriving, connected school community.

BSD Primary School

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Wellbeing & Belonging

1. PERMAH Model

2. We are narrative beings

At BSD Primary School

+BSD Senior School

3. House Systems

4. My Happy Mind

The BSD senior school is strengthening its focus on positive psychology, restorative practices and responsibility. New pastoral year leads have enhanced support, reduced learning barriers and increased students’ sense of belonging. We are developing a wellbeing curriculum with SEL strategies and assigning team leads to monitor each year group’s wellbeing and progress.Year-group assemblies and student-led wellbeing sessions help build connection, and all students now use a planner featuring kindness and affirmation prompts. The Senior Behaviour Policy has been updated to align with restorative practices, with increased rewards and recognition of school values.

BSD Senior School

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Wellbeing & Belonging at BSD Senior School

Step 1

August 2025

Our focus is on promoting positive psychology and restorative practices with responsibility.

Step 2

The pastoral system supports students' emotional, social and personal needs and plays an important role in making students feel they belong and are safe, connected and ready to learn. The addition of pastoral year leads this year has increased the monitoring and support of students and also reduced the learning barriers, giving students a sense of belonging in a senior school.

Step 3

September 2025

Documented (ongoing) the wellbeing curriculum to include social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies, using a mix of resources.

Year group interactive assemblies, bring students together. Student leaders deliver sessions to younger ones in wellbeing sessions and use learner effectiveness strategies to deliver during form time.

Step 4

October 2025

Produced the BSD student planner for all students with suggestions for acts of kindness and positive affirmations.

"We have allocated team leads for each year group to monitor the wellbeing and progress of students." - Rachel Cannon, BSD senior school assistant principal.

Step 5

October 2025

Updated the BSD senior behaviour policy in line with positive psychology and restorative practices. Increased student rewards, sent directly to parents, encouraging recognition of school values via the rewards

Step 6

November 2025

Implemented the holistic learner effectiveness program in Y11 and Y9 with goal setting. Introduced to Y7/8 .

In the seniors school, our focus is on promoting positive psychology and restorative practices with responsibility.

Step 7

January - June 2026

Intoruding the holistic learner effectiveness program to Y10. The strategies tool kit will be delivered in form time. Displaying pictures of students around the school. Displays ISG values. SEL Professional learning for staff. Increase healthy foods in the cafeteria alongside eco-systems for packaging, aligning with compassion for the environment.

The BSD senior behaviour policy has been updated in line with positive psychology.

student leadership & voice

"We're very proud of two students from Y10 and Y13 that are running their own ASA’s - medical society and finance club." - Richard Charlesworth, BSD principal.

Peer mentoring after school every day for academics run by older students for younger ones.

CYM students teach learner effectiveness strategies.

The leadership team is well established in 6th form.

Peer mentoring for SEL connecting younger and new students with older ones for weekly check-ins.

Student voice is structured and aligned with SSAC.

In elementary school at ISG Dammam , wellbeing and belonging are intentionally woven into daily routines and special events. Morning meetings and closing circles provide consistent spaces for students to discuss and reflect on the school’s Core Values and connect these principles to real-life interactions.Together, these practices demonstrate ISG Dammam's commitment to creating a caring environment where every child is seen, heard and empowered. By consistently nurturing emotional wellbeing and authentic belonging, the school is helping students build the confidence, empathy and social foundations they will carry with them far beyond the classroom.

ISG Dammam Elementary School

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Wellbeing & Belonging

2. Student Mailbox

1. Circle Time

At ISG Dammam Elementary School

+ISG Dammam Middle School

3. Speak Out

The activities and initiatives across ISG Dammam middle school illustrate a school community deeply committed to nurturing students’ emotional, social and personal growth, and each experience is intentionally designed to help students feel seen, valued, and connected.The initiatives create an environment where kindness is practiced, voices are heard and relationships are strengthened. They show that wellbeing at ISG Dammam is not an add-on, it is woven into daily life. Belonging is cultivated through empathy, shared experiences and opportunities for students to contribute meaningfully to their community. ISG Dammam is building a culture where every student is supported holistically—mind, heart, and voice—laying the foundation for strong wellbeing and a genuine sense of belonging.

ISG Dammam Middle School

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Wellbeing & Belonging

1. World Kindness Day

2. Stories that Live with Us

At ISG Dammam Middle School

+ISG Dammam High School

4. Voice for the Right Choice

3. Mindfulness

ISG Dammam High School has strengthened wellbeing and belonging by empowering student voice and leadership. Advisory sessions now integrate student-led activities from clubs like Compassion, Eco, and Language & Culture, fostering empathy, service, and global awareness. Students also extended their leadership by creating and delivering assemblies for younger divisions, modeling ISG’s core values.Schoolwide events—including Spirit Week and the TEDxYouth@ISGDammam conference—brought the community together around themes of identity, resilience, growth and wellness. A schoolwide Custodian Appreciation Gift Drive further reinforced a culture of gratitude and connection. Together, these initiatives create a high school environment where students feel seen, purposeful and actively engaged in shaping their community.

ISG Dammam High School

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For high school students, this means: 1. They experience a strong sense of ownership in their school community. 2. They develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and global awareness through hands-on service and reflection. 3. They form cross-divisional connections that build confidence and reinforce their identity as role models. 4. They gain practical tools for mental wellness, resilience and self-awareness. 5. They feel part of a community that celebrates diversity, supports wellbeing and values every member.

Overall, ISG Dammam’s wellbeing initiatives help high school students thrive academically, socially and emotionally, by fostering a culture where belonging, voice and connection are at the center of school life.

What this means

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Wellbeing & Belonging

1. Advisory Activities

2. Activities with Impact

At ISG Dammam High School

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3. Assemblies

4. Spirit Week

Whole-schooL Innitiatives

The Second Annual TEDxYouth@ISGDammam The event, themed “Beyond the Surface: seeing deeper, choosing better, dreaming together, living fully”—with the dream part inspired by Mr. Michael Schreider—recently united 17 student speakers from grades 6-12 at ISG Dammam,

The event reinforced ISG Dammam's dedication to empowering youth to dream deeply, reflect intentionally and thrive beyond surface-level challenges.

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Whole-schooL Innitiatives

Custodian Appreciation Gift DriveAs we approached the end of 2024, we took a moment to recognize the incredible efforts of our custodian staff, whose dedication ensured that our campus remained a safe, clean and welcoming space for everyone. Gratitude, one of ISG Dammam’s core values, reminded us that wellbeing grew from kindness, respect and connection. To celebrate this spirit, the MS Debate Club, and all advisory classes schoolwide, organized a Custodian Appreciation Gift Drive.

Through this initiative, students and staff came together to express thanks and promote a culture of care, nurturing a sense of community and shared wellbeing across our school

The wellbeing and belonging initiatives at ISG Jubail send a powerful message to the students:You are valued, your voice matters,and who you are becoming is just as important as what you are learning.

ISG Jubail is cultivating a warm, inclusive culture where students learn to care for themselves, support one another, and celebrate their shared community.This foundation of wellbeing and belonging helps students thrive socially, emotionally and academically. Wellbeing is woven into everyday learning through intentional monthly themes that help students explore and reflect on concepts such as collaboration, integrity, and individuality. Throughout each month, students engage with these themes through hands-on projects, creative activities, and classroom discussions.

ISG Jubail

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Monthly Themes

At ISG Jubail, wellbeing is woven into everyday learning through intentional monthly themes that help students explore and reflect on concepts such as collaboration, integrity, and individuality.Throughout each month, students engage with these themes through hands-on projects, creative activities, and classroom discussions. Their learning often culminates in presentations during assemblies, where students proudly share work products like the collaboration quilt, thoughtful messages and puzzles, songs, videos, and other meaningful artifacts.

Together, these efforts reflect a school environment where wellbeing, character development and a sense of community are intentionally prioritized.

High School & Middle School Focus

In the middle and high School, wellbeing and belonging are further supported through weekly Monday mental health check-ins, a routine that promotes emotional awareness and open communication.The Shout-Out Wall encourages students and teachers to publicly celebrate peers who demonstrate the school’s graduate profiles, fostering a culture of appreciation and positive reinforcement.

Additional initiatives—such as exam-prep strategy sessions and the MS Student Council’s hot chocolate stand paired with uplifting posters—create opportunities for connection, encouragement and stress reduction during critical academic moments.

What This means for ISG Jubail StudentS

Students feel seen and supported through consistent check-ins that acknowledge their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Feel seen and supported

Experience a strong sense of belonging

By participating in shared themes and presenting their learning in community spaces like assemblies.

Build confidence and identity

As they explore concepts like individuality and integrity in creative, student-driven ways.

Through collaborative projects and peer recognition on the Shout-Out Wall.

Strengthen relationships

Through exam-prep strategies and thoughtful student-led initiatives that lower stress and create joy.

Develop resilience and balance

Connect to the school’s values

By living them, not just learning about them.

Overall, ISG Jubail is cultivating a warm, inclusive culture where students learn to care for themselves, support one another and celebrate their shared community. This foundation of wellbeing and belonging helps students thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

SVS provides a nurturing, values-driven environment where children feel they belong, feel supported, and are encouraged to grow into confident, compassionate and responsible young people.

Wellbeing and belonging at Sara Village School are nurtured through a rich combination of celebration, character education, student leadership and community engagement. Weekly celebration assemblies highlight Stars of the Month, Acts of Kindness, Junior Duke achievements and house point winners, reinforcing ISG’s core values and recognizing positive behavior. Students further explore these core values through PSHE lessons, where they practice conflict resolution, empathy and real-world decision-making.

Sara Village School

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Achievement&Recognition

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Wellbeing & Belonging at SVS

Student Leadership

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Creative Expression+ r e a d

SEL

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Overall, SVS provides a nurturing, values-driven environment where children feel they belong, feel supported and are encouraged to grow into confident, compassionate and responsible young people.

Eco Innitiatives

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What This means for SVS students

1. Strong Sense of Belonging Regular recognition and shared celebrations help students feel appreciated and connected to their school community. 2. Emotional Confidence and Resilience Through MyHappyMind and PSHE lessons, students learn to understand emotions, resolve conflict, and navigate challenges — building lifelong wellbeing skills.

3. Purposeful Responsibility and AgencySustainability initiatives and student leadership roles teach students that their actions have impact, empowering them to act with integrity and responsibility. 4. Voice and Influence With structures like the Cookie Council and student ambassador roles, students learn that their ideas matter and can shape the school environment. 5. Joyful Community Engagement Events like the winter play and treasure-box celebrations create excitement, motivation, and shared memories that strengthen friendships and school spirit.

Back to Start

Newly-installed student recognition boards will soon be fully operational with the hope of highlighting the amazing things our HS students and student-leaders are doing.This has been a collaborative student-school project since last year, and we are proud to see it becoming a reality.

The High School Advisory team has been working to shape our advisory program to better meet the needs of our students.Starting last year, we partnered with student leaders from various high school clubs, such as the Compassion Club, Eco Club and Language & Culture Club, to bring themed student-led weekly activities into advisory sessions.

Spirit Week – Belonging & CommunityWith the collaboration of the Students Council across the school, the Spirit Week activities contributed to a sense of belonging by bringing students together in shared celebrations. These themed days fostered school spirit, collaboration and positive social interactions.

Celebration assemblies Every week in assembly we celebrate student achievements and success including Stars of the Month, Acts of Kindness and Junior Dukes award Achievers as well as promote ISGs Core Values. Our Star of the Month is awarded to students who exemplify one or more of the core values consistently over the month. Weekly house point award winners The students from each year group who receive the most house points in a week get to pick something out from the school treasure box in assembly. The treasure box contains a selection of thoughtfully picked stationary items which are attractive and have unique, appealing designs. The students are always excited when they get a chance to choose.

Student Council aka ‘Cookie Council’The student council receives feedback from all students in the school through the Cookie Monster suggestions box. Students feed the box cookie suggestions and the council reviews the feedback each month and then takes action on initiatives they think they can have an impact on, increasing student voice and participation. Student Leadership Opportunities Head boy and girl, house leaders, empathy ambassadors, eco ambassadors, eco council, Superintendent Student Advisory Council (SSAC) - all roles provide students with voice and agency in the school which help to create a sense of community and belonging.

School winter play Once a year all the children in the school get to take part in the school play. Students show dedication, commitment, responsibility and collaboration, practicing for weeks. They perform twice, once in the morning in front of EYFS and KS1 from BSD and once in the evening in front of all Sara Village parents and residents. This is one of the few events which bring the whole community together.

Students are recognized for exemplifying our ISG values and graduate profile through Scorpion Shoutouts.Student assemblies are also instilling a sense of belonging with student-led performances and presenters, empowering our youngest learners to share, grow, and learn from one another.

+See Recognition Wall

Our assemblies often focus on selected character strengths, with students using presentations and role play to demonstrate their importance in everyday life. Weekly rewards are frequently given in recognition of these strengths, rather than solely for academic achievement.

In addition, our high school advisory students collaborated to prepare student-led grade-level assemblies for their peers across different divisions, including Middle School and Elementary School (Grades 3–5). These student-led workshops were designed to highlight and celebrate our school’s core values—by students, for students.

The Stinger Spotlight recognizes and uplifts our middle school students to be inspired leaders, thinkers and collaborators in our school community.Our MS Teams in advisory also foster a strong sense of belonging. Go Stallions, Cobras, Camels and Falcons!

Middle School Debate Club will be presenting Season 3 of “Voice for the Right Choice,” an inspiring platform where learners speak up, listen deeply, and think critically about today’s most pressing issues.This season, the event shines a special spotlight on wellness and wellbeing, reminding us that healthy minds, hearts, and communities grow stronger when everyone’s voice is heard.

As part of World Kindness Day, MUN organized a series of thoughtful activities that encouraged compassion, connection, and community engagement across the school.The advisory classes came together to design vibrant posters for Kindness Day, spreading positivity and enthusiasm throughout the school!

Eco Schools InitiativeThe school was just awarded the Green Flag for our sustainability initiatives which form a large part of our compassionate action initiatives and include our three Eco goals based on the UN sustainability goals: reduce waste, recycle and care for the environment. Students lead a number of projects throughout the school to achieve these goals. The Alliance of Sustainable Schools (TASS) Another initiative the school is activity engaged with that helps reduce our impact on the environment and directly links with our mission and core values of responsibility with a commitment to act.

At BSD, our approach to wellbeing and belonging is grounded in positive psychology and the PERMAH model, originally developed by Martin Seligman.We explicitly teach and celebrate 24 signature character strengths to foster a culture of belonging and to help students recognise how each of us contributes uniquely to our school community.

Core values education In PSHE lessons, students learn the meaning of each of ISGs core values and explore real world scenarios of respect, acceptance, integrity, responsibility and a commitment to act. The students learn conflict resolution strategies and act out role plays. This helps students better understand their emotions and how to better deal with difficult situationsMyhappymind programme A science-backed wellbeing programme by the NHS in the UK, students engage in whole class activities to promote their wellbeing in this programme. Kindness Jar Promotes positive peer interactions and culture of gratitude.

Some activities that made a significant impact on our school community included the bracelet-making initiative for children in Zimbabwe, the Walk in My Shoes empathy-week bulletin board, the Unity Pumpkin activity, the NHS Ramadan Custodian Drive, and many more. We are deeply grateful to our student leaders for their creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment.

“Stories that Live with Us” is a Sunday session where students share personal experiences that have shaped who they are, helping them recognize the power of their own voice and the lessons they carry.Sharing and listening to these stories nurtures emotional wellness by providing students with a safe space to express their feelings, feel seen and heard and realize they are not alone in their challenges. This kind of storytelling builds empathy, strengthens relationships and promotes a sense of belonging, all of which are key to overall wellbeing and a healthier, more caring school community.

In primary school, our house system plays a significant role in promoting wellbeing and belonging.Students are placed into one of four house teams, and children of all ages contribute to their house in a variety of meaningful ways. This encourages a sense of shared purpose—being part of something bigger than oneself, without emphasis on individual gain.

As part of Spirit Week, a “Student Mailbox” was set up allowing students to drop off letters or cards for their friends.These letters and cards were then delivered by Student Council and PAL members, who took on the role of mail carriers. This initiative supports the strategic priority of Student Wellbeing and Belonging by encouraging kindness, strengthening peer connections and providing meaningful opportunities for students to express appreciation toward one another.

In January, we will be launching our new wellbeing platform, My Happy Mind, to parents and students.This programme, endorsed by the National Health Service (NHS) in England, represents another important step in BSD’s primary school’s commitment to nurturing happy, healthy minds and supporting the whole child. We are extremely excited to begin this journey.