Developing a positive school culture for wellbeing is vital for achieving the desired outcomes for student happiness. However, at times we can all feel a little overwhelmed, particularly in an environment where there is a lot going on. Pressure to perform and improve drives us on and makes us better at what we do but ultimately, if we can’t manage pressure effectively it can lead to stress.
Happiness Week 2018
Developing a positive school culture for wellbeing is vital for achieving the desired outcomes for student happiness. However, at times we can all feel a little overwhelmed, particularly in an environment where there is a lot going on. Pressure to perform and improve drives us on and makes us better at what we do but ultimately, if we can’t manage pressure effectively it can lead to stress.
Developing a positive school culture for wellbeing is vital for achieving the desired outcomes for student happiness. However, at times we can all feel a little overwhelmed, particularly in an environment where there is a lot going on. Pressure to perform and improve drives us on and makes us better at what we do but ultimately, if we can’t manage pressure effectively it can lead to stress.
The BIS HCMC Secondary Events Committee believe a crucial skill to thrive at school is to manage stress effectively and therefore last week, they created 'Happiness Week'. The aim of 'Happiness Week' was to focus on the importance of leading happy lives, which is not being joyful 24/7, but striving for wellbeing and overall happiness. To do this, they planned a range of activities every day to empower students and staff to lead happier lives. Year 12 student, Ana Samudio, explains more:
5 Top Tips to Help Manage Stress
To help students gain some insight into the best proven ways to manage stress, we worked in partnership with the school counsellor, Ms. McWilliam, and a student artist, Sofia Graves to create a top tips video to support students in dealing with stress:
Happiness Fair
To have maximum impact on students and teachers, one of our main challenges was to ensure longevity and sustainability. We found it crucial to provide students with opportunities to learn and practice skills that promote a feeling of happiness which they could take forward into the future. Therefore we held a Happiness Fair that spanned two lunch times where most activities were free. The happiness fair included activities led by both students and teachers.
Yoga Mindfulness
Led by Ms. Croft, this activity merged both mindfulness and yoga to give students a moment of peace and relaxation in their busy lives.
Just Dance
From our blog on 'The importance of physical health' we found out that just 10 minutes of exercise a day can increase alertness, positivity and energy levels as it releases feel-good endorphins into the bloodstream. Therefore Ms. Webb and The Just Dance Club organised a dancing session at lunchtime.
Merchandise
We sold stress relief merchandise ranging from squishy toys to play with in moments of stress and scalp massagers for a moment of relaxation and relief.
Message in a Bottle
Linked with the aspect of giving, which promotes happiness for individuals, we sourced and decorated bottles recycled from the school’s bistro. Students were asked to write a message to a friend and place it inside the bottle. They could either deliver it themselves, or pay to have us deliver it for them.
Crane Tombola
This game requires students to use critical thinking as well as collaboration to win prizes. The purpose of this was to demonstrate how burdens and problems are easier to solve and deal with if they’re shared with someone else.
Mandala
Research suggests that geometric colouring can create a stress-reducing mental effect. Therefore we displayed different mandala drawings and provided students with the colouring materials to complete them. Students could sit on bean bags to colour inside the auditorium where the yoga activity took place, or simply complete them with friends away from the booth.
BIS Teacher’s Got Talent
This was the most anticipated activity of our whole campaign with all tickets selling out within half an hour! To develop the aspect of ‘trying out’, we encouraged teachers to display their talents on stage in our very own BIS Teacher’s Got Talent. Our teachers willingly put together performances with the sole reason of providing students with entertainment and it certainly put a smile on everyone's faces. The acts were as follows:
The show was absolutely amazing and gave the students a laugh and boost of happiness at the end of a long school week at the end of a very busy term. We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved!
Finally, we'll leave you with this quote from Ms McWilliam,
Remember the world around you is made up of infinite amounts of raw data, it only gains meaning once you interpret that data. Choose to interpret it positively. Live a happy life!
As a celebration of the remarkable artistic achievements by nine of our Year 13 students, who have just completed their International Baccalaureate Visual Arts examinations, we are very proud to showcase some of their work.
The Year 11 Prom took place last Friday night in the stunning location of The Thao Dien Village. The night was a celebration of the many years of work that our students have done towards their IGCSE examinations these past six weeks. Students started arriving at 6.30pm and they certainly dressed to impress. One passer-by thought Oscars night had arrived here in our very own Ho Chi Minh City as the glamour would not have been out of the place on the red carpet of Hollywood. The bespoke dresses and suits worn by the students certainly celebrated the tailoring talents of Vietnam.
Battle of the Bands competition continues to get tougher and tougher with an even higher standard of bands performing this year than ever before. #NAEBeAmbitious
Last Sunday our BIS HCMC community was out in force turning Sala into a vibrant sea of red and Union Jacks! This was the return of the popular BritCham Charity Fun Run!
