As we celebrate International Day of Happiness this month, Social-Emotional Counsellor at the British International School Hanoi, Matt Greenwood explores student wellbeing – what it means, and how it’s being fostered in school.

As the world adjusts and evolves following the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of wellbeing continues to attract attention and gain momentum, particularly within the education sector.  

In the quiet leafy suburbs of Long Bien District in Hanoi, Nord Anglia Education’s British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi) is approaching student wellbeing holistically, through the lens of physical, psychological and social health.  

Supporting to lead the way is Social-Emotional Counsellor, Matt Greenwood who saw huge shifts in the importance of wellbeing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.  

At BIS Hanoi, nurturing student wellbeing doesn’t only focus on one thing. The school strikes a balance between meeting each child’s physical (strong and healthy, well-rested, well-fed and well-hydrated), psychological (embracing a neutral or positive mind) and social (being part of a supportive and collaborative environment) needs. 

According to Matt, having a focus on wellbeing in education at the British International School Hanoi not only increases overall levels of student happiness, engagement, resilience and confidence, it also improves academic performance.  

“Just as people struggle to concentrate when they experience worry, fatigue, or lack of motivation, poor student wellbeing can hinder academic achievement. Schools really have the power to lay the foundations for lifelong happiness and success when they care for students holistically,” Matt said. 

“In an increasingly complex world, students need more than just academic results to succeed. It’s their sense of identity, resilience, and wellbeing skills that enable them to look after their physical, social and emotional health, ready to take on challenges that may not even exist yet.” 

And it’s not only the British International School Hanoi that’s recognising the impact. Research from Oxford University by Departmental Lecturer in Research Methods Dr Ariel Lindorff shows the importance of wellbeing, too, highlighting improvements to academic attainment, mental health, self-esteem, self-efficacy, motivation, behaviour, and student retention. 

So, how does BIS Hanoi strengthen child wellbeing in education? 

“It’s not just a one-person job. The whole school community – teachers, parents and students – work together to nurture healthy and happy children. Students need consistent support from their families, teachers and friends to grow emotionally and socially, and to use their thoughts and feelings to develop personal awareness, emotional resilience, and social skills,” said Matt. 

At the British International School Hanoi, a holistic approach to student wellbeing includes a range of initiatives and partnerships. 

1. A bespoke wellbeing curriculum is tailored to empower students with the knowledge and skills to create their own futures.  

2. Personalised programmes, guided by world-leading UK-based centre, Anna Freud enhance emotional literacy to support student wellbeing in a safe and happy learning environment: “At BIS Hanoi, primary students are taught how to recognise and manage their emotions through daily check-ins,” said Matt. “And in higher year groups, we’ve created a programme that explores students’ moods which allows us to proactively identify wellbeing challenges.” 

3. The Community Wellbeing Committee, consisting of school staff, parents, and students aims to ensure the whole school community feels supported through a positive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging. This approach focuses on the importance of wellbeing by building healthy habits through strong role modelling.  

4. A designated Student Safe Space, equipped with tools for self-regulation, allows students to manage their emotions independently and refocus their learning. 

“We also recognise that many students prefer talking to their peers than to adults about their challenges, we we’ve trained a team of BIS Hanoi Mental Health Champions from different year groups to ensure every child feels comfortable to reach out to someone whenever they need,” said Matt. “We’re committed to embedding wellbeing in education by fostering an environment where students feel supported, understood, and empowered.” 

As a Nord Anglia Education school, the British International School Hanoi in Vietnam is renowned for its supportive culture, that treats each student with integrity, care, and respect, creating a nurturing environment where every child feels safe to thrive.