School Life

Student Wellbeing & Support

At Universal School, we recognise that students thrive academically when they feel safe, supported, and valued. Our comprehensive approach ensures every child receives the care they need — across emotional, social, physical, and academic dimensions.

Whole-Child Care
Academic, emotional, social and physical wellbeing
Safe Environment
Zero tolerance for bullying — every student protected
Family Partnership
Parents as essential partners in every student's journey
Early Intervention
Don't wait — reach out at the first sign of concern
Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Structure

Three tiers of dedicated pastoral support ensure no student falls through the cracks — from daily homeroom relationships through to school-wide coordination.

Primary Tier

Homeroom Teachers

Primary Grades · KG – Grade 5
First point of contact for student wellbeing
Daily check-ins and relationship building
Direct communication with parents
Academic and social-emotional support
Second Tier

Grade Level Coordinators

Middle & Secondary · Grades 6–12
Oversight of entire student cohort by grade
Coordination across all subject teachers
Grade-level community and culture building
Transition support between school stages
Third Tier

Student Affairs Coordinator

School-Wide · All Grades
School-wide wellbeing programme oversight
Individual student counselling sessions
Crisis intervention and immediate response
Parent consultation and referrals to specialists
Social-Emotional & Mental Health

SEL & Mental Health Support

Social-emotional learning is embedded in everything we do — and when students need more, our mental health support services are always available and never stigmatised.

Social-Emotional Learning

Embedded in curriculum · Explicitly taught
Embedded in Curriculum Explicit Programmes
Core SEL Skills
Self-awareness & self-management
Social awareness & relationship skills
Responsible decision-making
Empathy & perspective-taking
Conflict resolution skills
Explicit Programmes
Character education lessons
Anti-bullying initiatives
Digital citizenship programme
Stress management & resilience
Growth mindset development

Mental Health Support

Available services · Confidential · Caring
Individual Counselling Sessions One-on-one support with the Student Affairs Coordinator
Small Group Support Social skills, anxiety management, grief support groups
Crisis Intervention Immediate response — always — when a student is in distress
Parent Guidance & Resources Support strategies, referrals, and information for families

When we refer out: For needs requiring specialised expertise — therapy, psychiatric care, severe trauma — we connect families with external professionals while coordinating continued support at school.

Confidentiality: Counselling conversations are confidential except when safety is at risk. Students are always informed of confidentiality limits before any session begins.

Physical Safety & Respect

Physical Health, Safety & Anti-Bullying

A healthy body and a safe school environment are the foundation of everything else. Our protocols are clear, consistent, and enforced — always in the student's interest.

Physical Health & Safety

School nurse · Safety protocols · Illness policy
School Nurse Services
First aid and medication administration
Health screenings and monitoring
Chronic condition management plans
Health education and wellness guidance
Campus Safety Protocols
Full supervision during all school hours
Secure campus access — controlled entry
Emergency procedures — fire, earthquake, lockdown
All staff trained in first aid and emergency response
Illness Policy
Students must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to campus
Communicable diseases reported to school community — anonymously
Medication administration requires parent authorisation form

Anti-Bullying & Conflict Resolution

Zero tolerance · Prevention · Restorative response

Zero Tolerance Policy: Universal School does not tolerate bullying in any form — physical, verbal, social, or cyber. Every report is taken seriously. Every student is protected.

Prevention
Explicit teaching of respectful behaviour
Positive school culture emphasis
Adult supervision and awareness
Student empowerment to report
Intervention
Immediate response to all reports
Investigation and fact-finding
Consequences for perpetrators
Support for targets & restorative practices
Students and parents can report bullying to any trusted adult on campus. Anonymous reporting is also available — no student should feel afraid to speak up.
Inclusive Support

Diverse Needs & Transition Support

Every student brings a unique set of circumstances. We support a wide range of needs — and we walk alongside students through every major transition in their school journey.

Students We Support

Diverse needs · Whole-child approach
Learning differences (with IEP)
ADHD & executive function
Anxiety & school-related stress
Family transitions & loss
Peer relationship difficulties
Academic pressure & perfectionism

Whole-Child Approach: Academic performance is connected to emotional wellbeing, physical health, family stability, and social connections. We address the whole student — not just the symptoms we see in class.

Transition Support

Every major milestone — supported
Early Years Starting School — KG1 Gentle onboarding, parent orientation, buddy pairing
Grade 1 Moving to Primary School Classroom previews, teacher introductions, transition week
Grade 6 Entering Middle School Multi-teacher environment, coordinator assigned, peer support
Grade 9 Pathway Selection Guided decision process, counselling sessions, parent meetings
Grade 12 Graduation & University University counselling, application support, farewell programme
How We Help at Every Stage
Orientation programmes Buddy systems Classroom previews Parent information sessions Extra support during transition periods
Partnership & Contact

Parent Partnership & Getting Support

Wellbeing is a partnership. Parents are the most important people in a child's life — and we need you informed, involved, and communicating openly with us.

Parent Partnership

What we need from you · What you can expect from us
We Need Parents To
Communicate concerns early — don't wait
Share relevant information about student needs
Follow through on school recommendations
Support school expectations at home
Parents Can Expect
Prompt communication about any concerns
Collaboration in problem-solving — together
Respect for family privacy always
Resources and referrals when needed
Crisis Support

When Crisis Occurs — We Respond

Immediate response and student support
Communication with affected families
Grief counselling and support groups
Ongoing monitoring of affected students
Coordination with external resources

Contact Student Support

wellbeing@universalschool.edu.lb +961 (0)1 234 545 — Ext. 12
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
When to Reach Out
Academic struggles Social difficulties Behavioural concerns Family changes Mental health worries Any concern at all

Don't wait. Early intervention helps.

The sooner we know, the sooner we can help. A small concern addressed early rarely becomes a crisis. Contact us any time — there is no concern too small to raise.

A student who does not feel safe cannot learn. A student who does not feel valued will not try. Everything we do in pastoral care — every conversation, every check-in, every door left open — is an investment in the academic success that follows.

— Universal School Student Affairs · Aramoun Campus
Student Wellbeing · Universal School

Your Child Is Safe,
Seen & Supported Here

From first arrival in Kindergarten to graduation day, Universal School walks alongside every student — and every family — through every season of school life.