Developing Girls' personal, social and emotional wellbeing
Early Years: Circle Time
The class teachers in Early Years share time with their students in “Circle Time”.
Circle Time is a strategy which allows our teachers to meet their students everyday, to listen to their authentic voices, celebrate, commiserate and explore issues of concern with them. Circle time provides a structured space in which all participants have a voice and will be heard. Circle time fosters a strong sense of community, togetherness, belonging and security; it helps to develop positive relationships between teachers and children and children with other children.
Below are some of the most important benefits of Circle Time:
Circe time:
- Builds confidence
- Promotes socialization and group interaction
- Improves listening skills through collaborative conversation
- Enhances friendships
- Encourages problem solving solutions and provides conflict resolution strategies
- Helps children become more sensitive to each other
- Explores feelings
Primary: Values-based Development Programme (VDP)
VDP lessons are led by the year level psychologist and the form teacher. The main objective of this programme is to promote and develop girls’ personal, social and emotional wellbeing, and skills. The methodology used in these lessons is “The Circle”; the circle embraces everybody, establishes a sense of belonging and facilitates communication. Some of the issues addressed through this programme are: managing emotions; developing friendships, empathy, self-esteem and being assertive; conflict resolution, integration, the safe use of technology and understanding /embracing puberty.
This programme is developed throughout the Primary Section; each session focuses on a specific theme and is explored and discovered through activities. The Grade 4 and 5 VDP programme has a basic structure but it has a high level of flexibility; the direction of lessons is frequently steered by the particular needs and concerns of the group.
“We love VDP - we get to know and understand ourselves better.”
Secondary: PSE - Personal and Social Education
“Who is going to teach the knowledge and skills I will need to manage all the ‘first moments’ of my life and to stay healthy and safe?”
Personal and Social Education (PSE) provides learning experiences in which girls can develop and apply skills, explore personal attitudes and values, and acquire appropriate knowledge and understanding. The specific aims of the PSE programme are:
- to develop girls’ self-esteem and a sense of personal responsibility
- to promote self-respect, respect for others and celebrate diversity
- to equip girls to live safe, healthy lives
- to prepare girls for the choices and opportunities of lifelong learning
- to empower girls to participate in their school and communities as active and responsible citizens locally, nationally and globally
- to develop leadership qualities and skills
- to foster positive attitudes and behaviour towards the principles of sustainable development and global citizenship
- to prepare learners for the challenges, choices and responsibilities of work and adult life.
“....To educate girls to take responsibility to meet the challenges of life and reach their potential in a nurturing environment.”