By Sara Faisal, Year 12 House Leader, British International School Riyadh
House at BISR (British International School Riyadh) is about belonging. We cultivate belonging in everything that we do, from the sports events to the mentoring to the workshops we organise. So far this year, House has worked hard to provide opportunities to nurture a sense of community and belonging within BISR.
Competition is arguably one of the most important (and popular) aspects of the house system. What better way to encourage healthy competition than through sports? Some of the most notable events have been the tug of war and football matches during Wellbeing Week, both being entirely student-led. Another such event was the sixth form house afternoon, where the year 12 house leaders arranged various sporting activities and the house that accumulated the most points would win overall. This was a highly popular event, helping to enrich the sense of community and camaraderie in our already tight knit sixth form. Sports are not the only way to cultivate a competitive spirit, however. The house captains have worked hard to plan the ‘Tournament Thursday’ events – a series of contests ranging from art to creative writing to paper aeroplane throwing – ensuring that there is something for everyone. This has proved a great success in primary and something we look forward to launching in senior next year. It is important to make sure everyone’s talents are showcased too, which is why the talent shows were painstakingly put together by the entire House team, allowing students to show off their diverse capabilities.
The House programme itself provides extensive opportunities for all those involved to develop skills such as teamwork, self-confidence and communication. The refinement of leadership is also encouraged, specifically through SSAT Student Leadership Accreditation. The accreditation is self-reported and peer-assessed, requiring students to put together a portfolio detailing how they have exhibited specific interpersonal skills. Highly regarded and valued, the award allows students to improve and have confidence in their abilities.
Progress of the award is overseen by the house leaders, who effectively act as mentors for the house captains. This mutually beneficial relationship is built up over the year, as the mentors stay in regular contact with their assigned house captains. The skills that are gained through these programmes are not withheld from the rest of the school, however. House representatives strive to share their knowledge with those around them. For instance, the house leaders have been organising and presenting workshops for the other year 12 students, centred around soft skills that cannot normally be obtained through the academic curriculum. These sessions have been highly productive and the students have benefited greatly.
House is constantly evolving, looking for new opportunities and occasions to encourage active participation in the school community. The house representatives endeavour to act as role models and leaders for the rest of their peers, striving to act as a source of inspiration and motivation for every student.
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Student Leadership Accreditation is free for SSAT members. It offers a formal way to champion and celebrate leadership skills that students develop in and out of school, requiring students to create a portfolio in which they gather evidence to showcase their skills.
