International School Parent Magazine - Autumn 2023
Welcome to the Autumn Edition of International School Parent Magazine! Autumn is such a busy time – school is back in full swing, and Christmas seems to be right around the corner. As the leaves slowly start to change, we look forward to the cosy winter months, while our schools in the southern hemisphere look towards long summer days and warmer weather. Once again, we are thrilled to present to you a magazine filled with interesting and informative articles, exciting experiences, and practical tips for parents. The Autumn/Winter edition of International School Parent Magazine 2023 explores topical themes such as AI, and highlights some of the amazing initiatives led by schools in our community. We had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Conrad Hughes, Director General of Ecole Internationale de Genève (Ecolint). In this piece, Conrad shares his passion for education and provides an insightful glimpse of Ecolint’s vision for education in the future. We also continue our discussion of children’s mental health, the impact of AI on our LGBTQI+ community, the importance of lifesaving first aid skills for children, and present many more interesting articles and commentary. Autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors. Check out the article about the diverse activities on offer in Switzerland, special resources for children in the Zurich area, and learn about the stunning landscape of Interlaken. We remain committed to helping parents and children make the most of their international school experience. Have a wonderful autumn/winter period and we look forward to bringing you more content again in the spring.
Welcome to the Autumn Edition of International School Parent Magazine!
Autumn is such a busy time – school is back in full swing, and Christmas seems to be right around the corner. As the leaves slowly start to change, we look forward to the cosy winter months, while our schools in the southern hemisphere look towards long summer days and warmer weather. Once again, we are thrilled to present to you a magazine filled with interesting and informative articles, exciting experiences, and practical tips for parents.
The Autumn/Winter edition of International School Parent Magazine 2023 explores topical themes such as AI, and highlights some of the
amazing initiatives led by schools in our community. We had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Conrad Hughes, Director General of Ecole Internationale de Genève (Ecolint). In this piece, Conrad shares his passion for education and provides an insightful glimpse of Ecolint’s vision for education in the future.
We also continue our discussion of children’s mental health, the impact of AI on our LGBTQI+ community, the importance of lifesaving
first aid skills for children, and present many more interesting articles and commentary. Autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors. Check out the article about the diverse activities on offer in Switzerland, special resources for children in the Zurich area, and learn about the stunning landscape of Interlaken.
We remain committed to helping parents and children make the most of their international school experience. Have a wonderful autumn/winter period and we look forward to bringing you more content again in the spring.
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“Bullying not only inflicts immediate<br />
harm but can trigger a cycle of<br />
vulnerability, leading to risky behaviours<br />
and substance abuse.”<br />
The Impact of Bullying:<br />
Bullying transcends mere physical harm,<br />
inflicting deep emotional wounds and<br />
isolation. Its repercussions extend beyond<br />
the immediate victims, seeping into the<br />
fabric of the school community and eroding<br />
a sense of belonging.<br />
The ‘Centre for Disease Control &<br />
Prevention’ (CDC) in the US defines<br />
bullying as “any unwanted aggressive<br />
behaviour(s) by another youth or group of<br />
youths, involving a power imbalance, and<br />
repeated multiple times.”<br />
Verbal harassment is the most commonly<br />
reported form of bullying, followed by<br />
social harassment, physical bullying, and<br />
cyberbullying. Further research reveals that<br />
globally, 27% of children aged 11–15 are<br />
involved in bullying as victims, perpetrators,<br />
or both.<br />
The Vicious Cycle and the Power of<br />
Belonging:<br />
Bullying not only inflicts immediate harm<br />
but can trigger a cycle of vulnerability,<br />
leading to risky behaviours and substance<br />
abuse. Herein lies the importance of<br />
fostering a profound sense of belonging<br />
within the school environment.<br />
A child’s sense of belonging is intricately<br />
linked to their ‘locus of control,’ influencing<br />
their perceived agency over their own lives.<br />
When adolescents feel disconnected,<br />
they often view their peers as the ones who<br />
control whether they are accepted or not,<br />
instead of feeling like they have the ability<br />
to influence their own sense of belonging.<br />
Some sample statements from the 20 or<br />
so we typically ask students to self-report on<br />
regarding their sense of belonging at school<br />
include:<br />
- People at school notice when I am good at<br />
something.<br />
- People at my school care if I am absent.<br />
- I can share my problems with my<br />
classmates.<br />
- I feel like my ideas count at my school.<br />
These statements are designed to<br />
assess various aspects of students’<br />
interactions, emotional connections, and<br />
overall experiences at school. By asking<br />
students to reflect on these statements<br />
and express their thoughts, educators and<br />
school administrators can gain a deeper<br />
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN <strong>2023</strong> | 37
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