Developing the Whole Child

At BISC-LP, we believe that education goes far beyond test scores; it’s about developing the whole child. Our values-based curriculum is designed to nurture both academic progress and social-emotional wellbeing, recognizing that these two elements are deeply interconnected.

Research consistently shows that self-worth, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence are foundational to academic progress. When students feel valued, supported, and confident, they are more likely to take risks, persist through challenges, and engage deeply in their learning. In turn, academic success reinforces a sense of capability, careful and informed choices and self-worth. This reciprocal relationship between wellbeing and achievement is at the heart of how we teach, support, and celebrate our students.

At BISC-LP, we pair bespoke academic challenges with thoughtful support, ensuring that every child is stretched and celebrated for both their achievements and their effort. Alongside mastering punctuation and multiplication, we highlight the imagination, patience, and resilience it takes to get there. Our curriculum is not just about what students learn - it’s about how they learn, and who they become in the process.

To make these values tangible and relatable, we’ve created a unique framework centered around nine characters known as the Goal Squad. These characters embody the core attributes we promote in our students (such as curiosity, respect, and cooperation) and they help us recognize our students’ skills in a consistent and meaningful way.

A Fresh Look for Seasoned Friends

This year, we relaunched our Goal Squad with a student-led rebrand, introducing new designs and names that reflect the creativity and voice of our school community. The characters are now non-gendered, allowing all students to identify with them equally. A few weeks ago, we proudly introduced the updated Goal Squad to the entire school—and they’ve already made a big impact!

Meet the Goal Squad Teams

The nine characters are grouped into three teams, each representing a different aspect of our school’s Mission and Vision – the become Thinkers, Creators and Future Makers. They are also color-coded to align with our house point system, which rewards students for embodying these values. All characters hold equal value and status in the eyes of our school (however, you may have some favorites amongst the squad below!):

 THINKERS (pink team)

· Captain Curiosity

· Major Motivation

· Inspector Thoughtful

· CREATORS (green team)

· Agent Innovation

· Rockstar Resilience

· Alex and Xander Cooperation

· FUTURE MAKERS (blue team)

· Reflection Sensei

· Dr. Respect

· Coach Communication

Values as Tools to Success

As you walk through the corridors and classrooms of BISC-LP, you’ll hear these characters referenced in how we conduct ourselves, how we model behaviors, and how we give praise. In younger years, you might hear, “What a great question; Captain Curiosity is so proud of you!” With older students, the language becomes more nuanced: “You’ve used questions to find a new perspective—great curiosity!”

We’re also exploring how these characters can act as coaches during challenging moments and barriers in our belief when learning. For example, when a student feels stuck or overwhelmed, Reflection Sensei might remind them to take five deep breaths, reflect on past growth, and remember how far they’ve come with many things they felt they could not do before.

More than Mascots

The mascot spot is filled at our school by the mighty Bulldog! The Goal Squad aren’t just a set of mascots; they help us celebrate strengths, navigate challenges, and build a shared understanding of what it means to grow as learners and as people.

We’re so proud of the creativity and thoughtfulness our students brought to this relaunch, and the investment from the whole community. The Goal Squad continues to evolve with our students, and we can’t wait to see how they inspire us all this year to become great Thinkers, Creators and Future Makers!

Lowri Covello-Phillips

Class Teacher – Year Two & Student Community Director