Belonging Weeks 2022 - The Reading Way

from Floreat Redingensis September 2022

by reading-school

In Memoriam

BELONGING WEEKS

Learn, Lead and Serve

‘A deep sense of love and belonging is an irresistible need of all men, women, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.

When these needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart.

We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.’ Brene Brown Despite our desire to feel a sense of belonging, many of us over the last 24 months have struggled to feel part of a team, or indeed find a team. However, we are determined to demonstrate that it does not have to be that way. We can move from striving to thriving, together. The focus for Belonging Week has been on embedding the Reading Way through our Learn, Lead and Serve strands. It is crucial that our young people develop an understanding and appreciation of the importance of belonging to a broader community. Furthermore, the concept of giving rather than taking is at the heart of our focus on service leadership. Thus, we have sought to create space for students to explore who they are and how they can collaborate and take responsibility, individually and as a member of a team or group. How can honest, open conversations be nurtured that support each other and enable each of us to grasp opportunities?

From Science to Spurs, the Combined Cadet Force to Cricket, space has been created to demonstrate commitment to coaching, mentoring, supporting others and strengthening community. We sought to enable our young people to support students from Primary Schools to be the best version of themselves. In putting others first, our Year 10 students have shown themselves to be effective coaches, positive role models and true ambassadors of the Reading Way. Our students have subsequently shown a keen awareness of the fact that ‘Talent will get you into the dressing room, but attitude and character will determine how long you stay there.’ Year 8s focused on working in collaborative environments, away from home and taking responsibility for positive group behaviours. We want everyone to nurture a sense of belonging. We want everyone to know that success is based on how they can contribute to their own personal development and to be of service to others. Year 8s demonstrated during Belonging Week independence, teamwork, respect and overcoming challenges as individuals and in teams.

Year 9s demonstrated that they can be collaborative, considerate and generous. They have shown integrity and courage. For instance, being outside of their comfort zones while being resilient, showing quiet leadership and helping to build better teams. Whilst it is true that our staff are inspirational, it is our students who are the real beacons of the Reading Way, the truest ambassadors.

Belonging Week can only be delivered thorough our dedicated and committed staff, governors and parents providing opportunities to empower our students. Thank you to Mr T Evans (Assistant Head) and Mrs S Phillips (Reading Way Administrator) for leading on Belonging Weeks.

Thank you to all those who participated in educational visits to Youlbury, How Stean Gorge, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Oval Cricket Ground, London’s West End and Twickenham Stadium. In addition, thank you to all staff and students who led the CCF Leadership training, the Science and Me project, Cloud 9 canoeing expeditions and Operation Encounter. It is important to evidence and celebrate our students and staff in action and this section focuses on providing inspirational images that illustrate the range, depth and quality of opportunities evident this week.