STUDENTS
Spirituality in Schools The Link Between Spirituality, Health, & Academic Success BY DR. KIRK WHEELER, Head of School Being in touch with our own values and having a sense of purpose that guides our life is what some define as spirituality. For some, spirituality relates to religious practices and organizations, while for others spirituality is a deep connection with nature, a higher being – something bigger than one’s self. For many, spirituality serves as a guiding compass for decision-making. Therefore, nurturing an inner sense of self and a connection to a broader purpose is vital when encountering choices and challenges throughout life. Children are innately spiritual beings, and nurturing their spirituality promotes healthy development on many levels. While St. Thomas School is a non-sectarian school, spirituality is an intrinsic part of daily school life and an essential element in our approach to educating the whole child, along with physical, cognitive, and social/ emotional development. We begin each day in Chapel – a community gathering that centers on spirituality, world 14
St. Thomas School
religions, character and leadership. It is within this space that students are invited to reflect on their own spirituality, practice mindfulness, and become more attune to their inner voice. To further my own understanding of developing spirituality, I recently read an insightful book called The Spiritual Child: The New Science of Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving by Lisa Miller. To my delight, it showed clear scientific connections between spirituality and health and academic success. Miller cogently combines scientific research with anecdotal evidence from her work as a clinical psychologist to demonstrate how beneficial spirituality is to a child’s physical and mental health. What a pleasure it was to read substantive evidence to support what I, as a school leader, have always believed. Miller’s research reveals that children who have a positive relationship with spirituality have significantly more
