Building Community Through Gratitude: Middle School Student Council
“Whenever people come up with great ideas or opinions, everyone listens. Everyone could feel safe to share their thoughts.”
The Middle School Student Council has started the year with a simple but meaningful idea: giving students and staff a space to recognise the people and things they are grateful for.
The new Gratitude Wall is part of the StuCo’s wider focus this year on collaboration and creating a positive Middle School community. Students and staff are invited to add their own messages to the wall, creating a visible space for appreciation and connection.
This year’s Middle School StuCo also looks a little different. Rather than holding traditional elections and assigning titles, 16 interested students are working together as one team, with each student having the opportunity to lead or co-lead a project.
“This year is special because we’re shifting toward true collaboration,” explains the Middle School StuCo’s Advisor Talar. “Instead of titles, every student will lead or co-lead their own project, ensuring everyone gets hands-on experience driving positive change and organising fun events, dances and school initiatives.”
For Talar, taking part also gives students the opportunity to practise leadership in a meaningful way. “By taking ownership of projects, they learn project management, teamwork and problem-solving while working to make the school a more engaging and fun place for their peers.”
Grade 8 student Tingxi is one of the 16 students helping to shape the Middle School StuCo this year. We asked her about the Gratitude Wall, her experience of Student Council so far and what she hopes the group can bring to Middle School.
What was the idea behind the Gratitude Wall, and what did you hope students would get from it?
The idea behind the Gratitude Wall is to create a space to spread kindness and to appreciate the things in our life. We hope the students learn about how kindness and gratitude influence people in a positive way and create a comfortable and safe environment.
What has stood out to you about being part of the Middle School Student Council so far?
Something that has stood out to me about being part of the Middle School Student Council is respect. It seems like very basic and easy stuff, but sometimes it can be very difficult. Whenever people come up with great ideas or opinions, everyone listens. There was never any whispering or giggling while someone was speaking. Everyone could feel safe to share their thoughts.
What would you like the Student Council to bring to the Middle School community this year?
As a Middle School student, I would like to make the school days more engaging. I would like to have some interactive events, including lunch tournaments, Student versus Teacher games, Sports Day and holiday celebrations. I hope that when I look back on the year at its conclusion, my memories will consist of more than just homework, academics and exams.
As a Student Council, I want to make the Middle School environment even better. For example, we could set up an art gallery in the hallways, creative decorations, a charging station or stationery corner. We want the students to feel, “Wow, I really love our space,” and because of that, we will take care of it. We want to give students convenience and build a unique space.
This year’s StuCo is being shaped by the students themselves. Whether organising events or finding practical ways to improve everyday life in Middle School, students have the opportunity to take ownership of their community and work together to bring their ideas to life.
The Gratitude Wall may be one of their first projects, but its message reflects the wider environment they hope to create this year: a Middle School where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas, appreciate the people around them and feel that they belong.
