On March 10, we invited 15 grade 6 and 7 students to a student focus group. Our students engaged in activities where they thoughtfully shared their thoughts about our focus on building community and increasing feelings of belonging in our Tomsett Community.

We asked the following questions in various formats. Students painted what belonging looked like in watercolour, shared thoughts on sticky note sharing, discussed their ideas in a group, and finally completed an online form with their final thoughts. 

1. What does it mean to belong? What does belonging in a school or classroom feel like? Look like and sound like? 
2. Where and in what ways do you feel a sense of community in the school?
3. How does feeling like you belong help you with your learning?
4. Describe times at this school when you feel like you belonged. What was it about the situation/experience/space/people that helped you feel like you belonged? 
5. Describe times at this school when you feel like you didn’t belong. What was it about the situation/experience/space/people that made you feel that way?
6. What would you like to see at this school (either a change or something new or more of something that is already happening) that would increase your sense of belongingness here?
7. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing in the school to help everyone feel like they belong, what would that be?
8. What words would you use to describe a class or school community where you would feel THE MOST comfortable expressing all the components of your identity? 
9. What's one small thing you can do to help someone feel like they belong?

Themes from Student Responses

1. Meaning of Belongings

• Being part of a community, team, club, or group.
• Feeling included and accepted.
• Having similar ideas or interests.

2. What Belonging Looks Like

• People being kind and supportive.
• Smiles, waves, and friendly interactions.
• Participation in activities and clubs.

3. What Belonging Feels Like

• Feeling safe, happy, and comfortable.
• Trusting others and feeling supported.
• Not feeling judged or othered.

4. What Belonging Sounds Like

• Laughter, chatting, and encouraging words.
• Conversations and people working together.
• Positive and inclusive communication.

5. Sense of Community in School

• In classrooms, during group projects, and on sports teams.
• In clubs, library, and during school events.
• With friends and during recess.

6. Impact on Learning

• Feeling motivated and supported.
• Being comfortable to share and collaborate.
• Trusting others to help and work together.

7. Suggestions for Improvement

• More clubs and interest-based activities.
• Connecting portables to the main school building.
• Creating non-judgmental and inclusive spaces.

8. Positive Experiences

• Participating in sports teams and group projects.
• Being welcomed by friends and teachers.
• Feeling included in classroom discussions.

9. Negative Experiences

• Feeling judged for opinions or appearance.
• Being left out of activities or groups.
• Facing conflicts or bullying.

10. Desired Changes

• More kindness and respect among students.
• Increased opportunities for social interactions.
• Better physical connection between learning spaces.

11. Ideal School Community

• Inclusive, supportive, and non-judgmental.
• Calm, peaceful, and happy environment.
• Opportunities for everyone to express their identity.

These themes were shared with staff and collated along with data from a professional learning day where staff reflected on their work towards our school goal and their sense of how we doing in our work towards out goal. 

See the attached chart