Kahui Ako - Our Wellbeing Framework

HOPE | Confident expectation of living a thriving, purpose driven life. 

This term we have been very fortunate to host Julia Grace for the morning session of our Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day. Julia is well known in the Christian community as a singer and communicator. This term, she was able to address teachers on the topic of student wellbeing and offered some strategies to help us.

We understand that enhancing student wellbeing is not a quick fix and that many resources and opinions are offered on this important subject. We aim to look at this issue through a biblical worldview. The Bible offers lots of wisdom on the topic and it is this wisdom we seek when addressing the twenty-first century problems faced by our students.

We also value student voice so students were asked to complete our Student Wellbeing Survey this term. The survey questions students in Years 5-13, about their wellbeing in relation to the school Wellbeing Framework. This is the second year we have done this, and we intend to implement the survey annually so that we can track trends and adapt our curriculum to cover any gaps. For instance, last year it became apparent that, for a significant number of students, the topic of ‘Hope’ needed to be addressed. Consequently, we have held meetings with staff to see how this could be covered in our different areas.

The framework (as pictured above) is visualised as a wellbeing wheel; Primary has a bike, Middle School a scooter and Senior School a car. The wheel spokes are labelled Hope, Identity and Belonging, Growth and Resilience, Purpose, and Action. These spokes are set around the hub of “Faith’. We believe that faith in Christ is pivotal to moving toward optimal wellbeing and it is faith that resources every spoke. As the year progresses, you will be able to increasingly see these posters around the school.

We will be unpacking each ‘spoke’ over time. Please pray for us that we can be open to what the Lord is doing and saying. We want to help students understand what good wellbeing is and how they can grow in it. We want them to live a life that gives testimony to the goodness of God.

Ki Atua hei te Kororia - To God be the Glory

Ann Bailey and Nikki Clarke