Style: August 05, 2022

Style | Promotion 17
“Being you is so important”: A
wellbeing approach to education
Feeling part of a community with strong relationships has
helped Christchurch teen Sadie Lee navigate her high
school years.
The Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Year 13 student says feeling
comfortable connecting with specialist subject teachers, class
tutors, deans and her peers creates an environment where she
belongs and can be herself.
“When I came in Year 7 – and I think when all new
students come in any year – you just want to fit in. But we’re
encouraged to be ourselves; having that at the back of your
mind during a time when you’re really discovering who you are
lets you explore your interests and allow those aspects of your
life to flourish.
“I have gone through so many different phases and had the
opportunity to try so many things out that I have to come to a
point where I am pretty content with who I am and who I am
becoming,” she says.
Wellbeing and digital engagement coordinator at the
690-student Years 7 to 13 day and boarding school, Sally Fail, says
creating such an environment at the school is very intentional.
“We don’t have a wellbeing programme, we have a
wellbeing approach. We incorporate wellbeing across
everything we do because it’s fundamental to any success: no
learning is going to happen if you’re not feeling comfortable
and content with who you are and where you’re at.”
Classes sized between 16 and 25 help teachers get to know
each student and allow students to be more open-minded
and understanding.
Fail, who attended Rangi Ruru herself, is part of the school’s
Care and Development Network which includes the deputy
principal; two school psychologists; boarding staff and nurses,
and the heads of Health, student development and leadership
and the high-performance and learning support programmes.
Tutor class teachers and deans move through the school
within year groups and Rangi Ruru has New Zealand’s only
in-school careers and pathways strategist from university
admissions consultancy Crimson Education.
Rangi Ruru is hosting open days in August 2022 and Term
1, 2023. For further information please visit:
www.rangiruru.school.nz
ABOVE: Sally Fail and Sadie Lee.
BE YOU.
BELONG.