iServi News | 19 November 2021 | Term 4, Week 6
Student Code of Conduct: Feeling Accepted
This week, the focus of our exploration of the Student Code of Conduct is feeling ACCEPTED.
Feeling valued, needed and accepted by others fosters a sense of belonging and connectedness. Having a sense that we belong to a group and are accepted by its members brings about positive feelings: we feel safer, we feel that our shared values and beliefs are valid and worthwhile, we feel comforted by being with others who share the same values as us. When we don’t feel accepted by a community we can feel isolated. Being rejected or isolated from a group has the potential to lead to negative feelings such as feeling unwanted, unvalued and alone.
At Servite we strive to build a community where everyone feels accepted and that they belong. Our Student Code of Conduct suggests ways that we can feel accepted and how we can support others to feel accepted also. These ideas are founded on the teachings of Christ and are supported in positive psychology. Jesus accepted and included people who others didn’t – women, the poor, racial enemies and oppressors. He commented on the ‘Two Great Commandments’ by saying to people that they should love God and love their neighbour.
Applying this to our College, every member of our school community is challenged to be inclusive; to notice when somebody is being left out or is lonely and to go out of our way to include them; to practice kindness instead of meanness; to build others up instead of tearing others down with insults; to practice peace instead of violence; to notice and acknowledge the good in others and our community; to be an ‘upstander’ rather than a ‘bystander’. Upstanders are people who do something about a problem such as bullying. They are people who take action when they see something wrong and they stand up for others in times of need.
When a member of our school community is not feeling accepted, or is worried about another member of the community, it is important to let someone know. Some of the ways you can do this are to contact:
- The Homeroom Teacher
- Another trusted teacher
- Head of Community
- Servite Concern
Servite is wonderfully accepting community. Let us continue to welcome, include and accept others to enrich our community and strengthen our sense of belonging and connectedness.
Mrs Monica Maxwell
Acting Deputy Principal – Community