International Schools
Third Culture Kids face particular psychological challenges when moving school. - Resilience programs for International schools improve learning environment for all.
Every year, international schools are faced with significant changes in the school population as a pupils, parents and staff transfer to new schools, often in new countries. These changes disrupt the whole school community regardless of whether an individual leaves, arrives or remains, and needs to be acknowledged and resolved.
Globally mobile adults, children and young people have many advantages and unique talents to offer the world. However, there are downsides associated with having to say goodbye to friends, family, community, work and school. The loss of these external supportive factors, even temporarily, can have a significant impact on an individual's level of resilience, self confidence and long term mental health.
Maintaining resilience is at the core of wellbeing and success - for pupils, parents and staff alike. Aside from improved life satisfaction and happiness levels, it helps parents function effectively. Resilient children are more confident and are more likely to settle into their new school. Staff who understand, teach and measure resilience are better equipped maintain their own wellbeing as well as support pupils, parents and new staff going through the transition cycle.
"Alison presented at the latest International school we are sending our children to. My wife and I are both multi-cultural adults and this is our 5th international move. Everything Alison described and talked about in her presentation at the school's open day was correct, the level of understanding of the issues and challenges was truly impressive." - Norwegian parent at English school in Portugal.
The Resilience Doughnut - Programme for building resilience in pupils at International Schools
We use a proven, well researched programme called The Resilience Doughnut for our work with Pupils, Teachers and Parents in the school community. It is an engaging, easy to use model, which is important during the arriving and leaving stages of an overseas move when time is precious.
Without judging individuals, it provides a practical and positive way to focus on what is already working. This is essential, when so many of the external factors that help make children and adults resilient will be left behind due to the move.
The Resilience Doughnut provides a common solution-based language to unite everyone touched by overseas transitions: the leavers, the arrivers and the stayers. It encourages engagement with the whole school, pupils, parents and teachers alike. Consequently, The Resilience Doughnut has an elevated potency for international and boarding schools.
Preparing TCKs to leave - Getting children ready for international school changes.
If you have parents preparing to leave one country and arrive at your school, or parents due to leave at the end of term. They may be interested in the current on-line free course for preparing their children for the upcoming transition.
