Blogs
![Placing Kindness and Compassion at the Core of a School Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1652869944/globeducatenetwork/wdazpwgo0donpeyuf5ax/GBIS_Southlands_2022_Wellbeing.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1652869944/globeducatenetwork/wdazpwgo0donpeyuf5ax/GBIS_Southlands_2022_Wellbeing.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1652869944/globeducatenetwork/wdazpwgo0donpeyuf5ax/GBIS_Southlands_2022_Wellbeing.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1652869944/globeducatenetwork/wdazpwgo0donpeyuf5ax/GBIS_Southlands_2022_Wellbeing.jpg","width":1024}])
Teaching children to be kind is nothing new. Most teachers and parents have long taught them to share their toys; to invite others to play their games; and to help someone who has fallen over on the playground. These invaluable lessons teach children from an early age to care for others and develop empathy – both are fundamental in helping them build the kind of sustainable and healthy relationships that are vital for good mental health.
![Andie Warner Head of English and Languages]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1651834298/globeducatenetwork/y77engufvfl4umm1cm79/ICS_London_2022_AndieWarner.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1651834298/globeducatenetwork/y77engufvfl4umm1cm79/ICS_London_2022_AndieWarner.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1651834298/globeducatenetwork/y77engufvfl4umm1cm79/ICS_London_2022_AndieWarner.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1651834298/globeducatenetwork/y77engufvfl4umm1cm79/ICS_London_2022_AndieWarner.jpg","width":1024}])
A home language is the language, or languages, that families use for most interactions at home. Many students speak multiple languages at home and may use different languages to communicate with a variety of family members and friends. Maintaining and developing students’ home language(s) is important for so many reasons. Here are just a few:
![How We do Outdoor Learning]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1625497078/globeducatenetwork/b1a75lgbf6ln0i5ntl6i/Southlands_bikes.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1625497078/globeducatenetwork/b1a75lgbf6ln0i5ntl6i/Southlands_bikes.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1625497078/globeducatenetwork/b1a75lgbf6ln0i5ntl6i/Southlands_bikes.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1625497078/globeducatenetwork/b1a75lgbf6ln0i5ntl6i/Southlands_bikes.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1625497078/globeducatenetwork/b1a75lgbf6ln0i5ntl6i/Southlands_bikes.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1625497078/globeducatenetwork/b1a75lgbf6ln0i5ntl6i/Southlands_bikes.jpg","width":2200}])
Head of School at Southlands British International School, Tor del Federico, discusses why Outdoor Learning is such a key part of student life at the school. For the team at Southlands British International School, a key goal this year has been to take students outside as often as possible: for play, for learning, for sport and for relaxation, both as a way of helping to keep students healthy, and also to help counteract the effects of a much more restricted approach in school than in previous years
![Students compete in House challenge]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1648733786/globeducatenetwork/khqlb1r8kkx8byvob01n/Coruna_HouseSystem_2022_Blog.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1648733786/globeducatenetwork/khqlb1r8kkx8byvob01n/Coruna_HouseSystem_2022_Blog.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1648733786/globeducatenetwork/khqlb1r8kkx8byvob01n/Coruna_HouseSystem_2022_Blog.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1648733786/globeducatenetwork/khqlb1r8kkx8byvob01n/Coruna_HouseSystem_2022_Blog.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1648733786/globeducatenetwork/khqlb1r8kkx8byvob01n/Coruna_HouseSystem_2022_Blog.jpg","width":1250}])
A "House system" is a very common feature of a school with British values and traditions, and our GBIS schools in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, have been focused on incorporating the House system to build community spirit, to develop a sense of identity and belonging, and to celebrate achievements.