At the FIS, we believe a thriving school community is built on mutual respect, accountability, personal growth and a sense of belonging. To support this vision, we have developed Community Expectations – a set of statements outlining what we expect of one another in order to foster positive interactions throughout our school. These expectations apply to all members of our community, including teachers, students, staff, and parents.
- Act and communicate with kindness and respect.
- Consider other’s feelings, opinions, vulnerabilities and differences.
- Work together to create a safe and inclusive environment.
- Reflect and take responsibility.
- Strive to grow.
Our Community Expectations were born out of collaboration and shared insight. We gathered input from teachers, students, staff, and parents to ensure that these guidelines accurately capture the values and needs of every part of our community. After collecting this feedback, the Pastoral Leadership Team carefully analyzed and refined the ideas to finalize these clear standards for daily conduct at our school. In doing so, we created an anchor that helps us navigate decisions and interactions with care and respect, celebrate positive contributions, and address instances where a choice made by one of our community members does not align with our shared values.
While our focus is on nurturing positive interactions, we recognize that challenges may arise. Our approach to these moments is grounded in restorative practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the impact of actions, repairing harm, and building the skills needed for responsible conduct. When necessary, we use proportionate and logical consequences that align with our core values of caring, curiosity, respect, integrity, and belonging. These are not simply punitive measures but interventions chosen to strengthen relationships and our collective commitment to the community’s well-being.
Over the coming weeks, we will officially launch the Community Expectations through a series of conversations and activities that explore how these guidelines look in daily school life. This process will culminate in a Celebration Week leading up to the Spring Break, allowing everyone at the FIS – teachers, students, staff, parents and indeed the entire FIS community – to come together, reflect on, and celebrate our ongoing commitment to respectful and supportive interactions. By working in partnership, we can continue to cultivate a positive, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every individual feels valued and empowered to grow.
