Wellbeing at School – A Shared Responsibility

In recent years, Brno has been changing — it is growing, welcoming new people, and seeing the rise of new schools, community centers, and programs for families from many different countries. The city has become a truly international space, where children speaking dozens of languages meet every day — yet they all share one simple wish: to feel safe at school, to be accepted, and to develop their potential.

We often talk about school wellbeing only when it is missing. And yet it is precisely this sense of wellbeing that determines whether a child learns with joy or with fear — whether they walk to school with a smile or a knot in their stomach. It is not just a “feeling” – it is a fundamental condition for healthy development, relationships, and learning. Experiences from Brno’s schools, families, and non-profit organizations show that growing diversity brings both enrichment and new challenges. In classrooms today, we meet children who are still learning Czech, children with different educational needs, and those who have gone through displacement, war, or separation from loved ones.Teachers are doing their best but often face time, system, and emotional limits.Parents of foreign children, in turn, struggle with an unfamiliar school system and uncertainty about how to support their child. School wellbeing is not only about physical safety — it also means feeling accepted, understood, and trusted.

According to research by Fair Migration Policy bullying and social exclusion are far from isolated problems, and the most vulnerable group are often the children who stand out — through language, culture, learning pace, or behavior.

The experience of the Multicultural Center Brusinka confirms that many school difficulties are not caused by unwillingness, but by a lack of space for individual attention and dialogue. Teachers who take time to listen and respond with empathy can transform the atmosphere of an entire class.Children who once remained silent or withdrawn begin to participate, create and gain confidence.

For more than five years, Brusinka has been working with families, schools, and volunteers in Brno. It offers tutoring, language lessons, art and music workshops that help children find balance, overcome barriers, and build relationships. These activities are not a substitute for school — they are a natural extension of it. They reduce stress, foster openness, and strengthen cooperation between teachers, parents, and the wider community.

Every one of us influences school wellbeing.Parents who ask how their child feels.Teachers who notice and celebrate even the smallest progress.Assistants who bring calm and reassurance to children.And also the city, institutions, and companies that understand that education and children’s mental health are not just the school’s responsibility, but a shared societal one.

An inspiring example of this shared approach is the support from AT&T, which through its grant program contributes to Brusinka’s activities focused on the adaptation of international children, prevention of bullying, and promotion of school wellbeing. This collaboration shows that when education, non-profit work, and responsible business come together, they can create an environment where every child feels welcome.

Brno already has many inspiring examples of such cooperation — they only need to be noticed and shared.That is why this series will continue with articles on topics such as adaptation of foreign children, silent forms of bullying, trust between teachers and students, and the role of art and creativity in emotional wellbeing.

This text is the opening article in the series “Wellbeing at School – A Shared Responsibility”, prepared by the Multicultural Center Brusinka. The goal of the series is to open a dialogue on school well-being, inclusion, and relationships in education in Brno and beyond.

The series is created with the support of teachers, parents, and volunteers who believe that every child has the right to feel safe and to be heard.