Northbridge begins initiative to provide continued holistic approach to our student’s education

Northbridge begins initiative to provide continued holistic approach to our student’s education In August 2019, Northbridge International School Cambodia started an initiative to provide a continued holistic approach to our student’s education.

In August 2019, Northbridge International School Cambodia started an initiative to provide a continued holistic approach to our student’s education.

Once a week, the MYP students partake in an International Life Skills (ILS) lesson. This subject covers a variety of topics throughout the year. Some examples include: ATL Skills Development, Appropriate Technology Use, Relationships, Body Image and Health, Substance Use, Puberty (Lower MYP) and Sex Education (Upper MYP), Study Skills and The Environment among other topics.

In terms of Approaches to Learning (ATL) development, the ILS is focussed around the  Affective Skills: Mindfulness, Perseverance, Emotional Management, Self-motivation and Resilience. The other ATLs are explicitly taught throughout NISC students' courses; These ATLs are Organization (time management, self management, personal organization), Collaboration, Communication, Information Literacy, Transfer, Reflection and Thinking (creative and critical skills development).

This week the ILS Team (Mr Dave Reed, Mr Austin Koledoyle, Ms Lana Lautamus, Ms. Miri Koliada, Mr Gwilym Cox and Mr Andy Groom) collaborated with Nurse Cherry, STUCO (headed by Ms. Netcy Simbahan and Mr Craig Ziegler) and our Maintenance and Gardening Team (headed by Mr. Dave van Rooyen) on a joint effort to raise awareness about the importance of Mental Health.

Fundraising for The Rabbit School and a “Green Thumb” Project were two ways that our students showed an awareness about supporting Mental Health issues.  By participating in a Walk-a-thon on Friday October 18 and contributing towards a community garden space during their weekly ILS lesson, students had the opportunity to look at the effects of both a physical and introspective way of supporting their own mental health.