While writing this, I am at the ISASA conference, the theme of which is “Flourishing”. As I was pondering the word flourishing, the words that came to mind were – nurtured, healthy growth, producing…I was thinking about plants!
Human flourishing, however, is similar, and is described as promoting the growth, development, and holistic well-being of individuals and populations. The thrust of the conference is relationships and connections. The effect of positive relationships in an organisation and the connections necessary for making the environment a place where everybody feels they belong. And how empathy, logic and authenticity, if you can hold the three together, bring about trust which makes the environment conducive to giving people the freedom to flourish.
At school we have a variety of relationships – teachers and children; teacher and teachers; teachers and leaders; teachers and parents; children and parents; children and children. All needing nurturing to flourish.
“Authentic connection is defined by what the child perceives as connection, not by what we intend as connection. Observe, slow down, understand them and meet them where they are.” Visible child
In an age of busyness and many distractions, we should all be aware of the above as we reflect on our relationships, not only with children, but all our relationships.
During our Visible Learning School Capability Assessment in October last year, one of the strengths that was very apparent was the positive way in which learners spoke about teachers and other learners.
At African Angels School, good relationships are one of our strengths and we are flourishing as individuals and as a school because of it!
At African Angels School, good relationships are one of our strengths and we are flourishing as individuals and as a school because of it!
