In recent years, wellbeing has become one of the main priorities for schools around the world. The question is no longer only what students learn, but how they feel while they learn. At Nordic International School, this question guides every pedagogical decision we make.
The recent incorporation of the Finnish KiVa programme, following our training in Finland last September, does not mark a beginning but rather the continuation of a deeper journey: the consolidation of a culture of wellbeing that is lived every day in our classrooms.

Wellbeing does not emerge from a single initiative but from a shared vision. At Nordic, this vision has been built step by step; from promoting a culture of respect and empathy, to creating spaces for positive recognition through See the Good!, providing continuous professional development in socio-emotional education, and encouraging the active involvement of families. Every action shares a common goal: ensuring that our students grow up in a safe, connected and joyful environment.

The Finnish programmes that form part of our educational model, such as See the Good! and KiVa, are powerful tools that reinforce this commitment. See the Good! has helped us to recognise and value the strengths of every member of our community, changing the language we use with one another and strengthening collective self-esteem. Its daily practice of observing, recognising and expressing gratitude has contributed to a school climate where wellbeing is not an abstract concept but a tangible experience.

KiVa, an abbreviation of the Finnish Kiusaamista Vastaan, meaning “against bullying”, was created by the University of Turku with the support of Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture. Its comprehensive approach combines prevention, intervention and continuous monitoring, engaging the entire school community. Unlike other initiatives, KiVa does not focus solely on the victim or the perpetrator, but also on the bystanders: the peers who witness incidents and who can become active agents of change.

Both UNESCO and the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development platform recognise KiVa as a scientifically validated programme, proven to significantly reduce bullying and enhance students’ emotional wellbeing. In Finland, schools that implemented it reported reductions of up to 70% in bullying cases, along with notable improvements in motivation and the overall classroom climate.
This new step reaffirms a conviction that has guided us from the very beginning: quality education is measured not only by academic achievement, but by a community’s ability to care and be cared for. Classrooms where students feel safe are those where they dare to think, create and make mistakes without fear.