Standing Together 17
Abigail Fishbourne Principal, Ash Mount School, Dubai
Small gestures also matter. We recently arranged for cakes to be delivered to staff as a simple way of saying thank you and reminding everyone that they are appreciated. We have also accelerated the launch of our new digital wellbeing platform. Originally planned for later in Term 3, we decided to introduce it at the start of the term so families could access wellbeing resources, guidance and support sooner. For us, wellbeing is not a single initiative but an ongoing commitment. It is about staying connected, supporting one another and making sure every member of the community feels valued and cared for. One of the most important things for parents to remember is that children of different ages understand and process information in different ways. Younger children may only need simple reassurance and basic explanations, while older children may be hearing information from friends, the internet or social media and may need a little more context. Before starting a difficult conversation, it can help parents to take a moment to calm themselves first. Children are very sensitive to adult emotions, and when parents approach conversations in a calm and steady way, it helps children feel safe and supported. It is also important for parents to try to guide the conversation rather than letting children’s understanding be shaped by outside information. This is particularly relevant for older children who may already be seeing things online or on social media. Creating space for open conversation at home helps ensure children are getting balanced and reassuring information. A helpful approach is to lead with questions rather than long explanations. Ask children what they have heard, what they think and how they feel. Give them time to talk, listen carefully and reassure them. One simple but powerful technique is to repeat back part of what your child has said and then pause. Often, that pause encourages them to continue speaking and share more of their thoughts. At Ash Mount, we believe wellbeing sits at the heart of a strong school community. During this time, we have focused on keeping our connections with staff and families strong, even when we are not always together in person. Regular digital communication has been an important part of this. We have increased our online meetings with staff and families so that people feel informed, supported and able to ask questions. Maintaining those open lines of communication helps everyone feel part of the same community, even at a distance.
Above all, the goal is to keep communication open. When children feel listened to and supported, even difficult conversations can strengthen trust and understanding within the family.
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